Gouverneur Recreation Department to offer scarecrow making, games and more at 2023 Gouverneur Pumpkin Festival

by Rachel Hunter

The Gouverneur Recreation Department will offer scarecrow making, carnival games, scavenger hunt and other children’s activities at the 2023 Gouverneur Pumpkin Festival this Sunday, September 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Gouverneur Fairgrounds. The announcement was made at the Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees meeting on September 19 by Gouverneur Recreation Department Director Casey Canell. In 2023, the Gouverneur Pumpkin Festival is a two-day event, September 23-24. See the full schedule inside this edition.

Director Canell also reported the Gouverneur Recreation Department’s Fall 2023 schedule as follows:

The Before-School Morning Program meets weekdays at the Gouverneur Elementary School. In partnership with the Gouverneur Central School District, the enrichment program features early morning wake-up activities, interactive social play, arts and crafts, breakfast and more. Highlights this month included a Meet and Greet with families at the school.

There is bus transportation provided by the Gouverneur Central School District for the After-School Program (Recreation Center Studio), which offers recreational opportunities exploring the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) field. There are theme days and guests with fine arts appreciation, gaming stations with tournaments, interactive social play. The after-school program is open on Monday and Wednesday from Grades 2-4 and Tuesday and Thursday for UPK-Grade 1. Highlights this month included fall fun theme days.

Toddler Town continues to meet on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. The recreational preschool playgroup program features interactive socialization, music, art, story, snack, and active play.

The Senior Citizens Program continues to meet on Friday mornings for bingo and coffee social. The program features food bingo games with socialization. All area seniors are welcome.

Much gratitude was extended to the Spilman family for their continued support of the Rec Center facility.

The next meeting of the Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees will be held on October 17, 6 p.m., at the municipal courtroom. For more information about the Gouverneur Recreation Department, call 315-287-0524.