by Rachel Hunter
The 7th Annual Gouverneur Trunk or Treat, sponsored by the Community Health Center of the North Country and Seaway Valley Prevention Council, in partnership with the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Association and Gouverneur Central School District, will be held on Friday, October 25, 6 p.m., at the Gouverneur Fairgrounds. All trunk-or-treaters are encouraged to wear their best costume, as the annual event once again is held via a walk-through format.
Motorists are asked to park in the Gouverneur Central lot on E. Barney St. Costumed children will then make their way through the fairgrounds entrance between the parking lot and the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair office. They will then walk down the Gouverneur Fair Midway, stopping at each vehicle with decorated trunks and receive their treats. This is a free community event, and all are invited to attend.
Seaway Valley Prevention Council and the Community Health Center of the North Country hope that the Gouverneur Trunk or Treat will once again be a fun, family-friendly way to get the word out about what services are available for people dealing with substance use issues. The idea originated with the Seaway Valley Prevention Council who in partnership with the Massena Drug-Free Community Coalition held a successful Trunk or Treat at Massena High School years ago, drawing in hundreds of costumed children. Piggybacking on this rousing success while seeking a fun, engaging way to spread the word in the local community about the services available to those with substance use issues, SVPC and CHCNC thought the best way would be to bring a Trunk or Treat event to Gouverneur. The event drew an estimated 1,400 costumed community members in 2023.
The Community Health Center of the North Country and the Seaway Valley Prevention Council have put a call-out for trunks at the 2024 Gouverneur Trunk or Treat. All businesses, organizations and individuals interested in decorating a trunk are encouraged to register their vehicle by emailing clebeau@svpc.net. The Gouverneur Chamber of Commerce informed the Gouverneur Tribune Press that they will be there with their decorated trunk, and encourage the local business community to register. All those entering decorated trunks are encouraged to start the planning process, and pack candy (or other treats) for the trunk-or-treaters. Make sure to arrive early for set-up so that you can hand out candy and show off your decorations.
Mark your calendars today for the 2024 Gouverneur Trunk or Treat event, sponsored by the Community Health Center of the North Country and the Seaway Valley Prevention Council, on Friday, October 25, 6 p.m., at the Gouverneur Fairgrounds.