by Rachel Hunter
The Greater Gouverneur Area Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Flag Day Celebration on Saturday, June 15, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. See related stories inside this edition. The crowds came out in great patriotic spirit to witness the 2024 Flag Day Parade in Gouverneur. The event was sponsored by the Greater Gouverneur Area Chamber of Commerce, Marble Member Kinney Drugs and Silver-Level Members Con-Tech Building Systems Inc., Tim Wewer, EA, Community Bank, NA, Team Blevins LLC, Northern Credit Union, Northland Veterinary Hospital, RSI Roofing Inc., Gouverneur Foundation, United Construction and Forestry, Cives Steel Company, and Nicholas Gardner, DDS.
Traffic control was expertly handled by the Gouverneur Police Department with assistance from the Village of Gouverneur Department of Public Works (DPW), Gouverneur Fire Department, and the New York State Police. The parade route had a change for the 2024 Flag Day Parade. The parade lined up at the Gouverneur Central High School (E. Barney St.), turned onto Clinton St., before turning onto E. Main Street for the parade, and returning to the Gouverneur Central High School via North Gordon St. in Gouverneur. Spectators lined on sidewalks by the downtown business section and the Gouverneur Village Park. The Greater Gouverneur Area Chamber of Commerce distributed over 200 small American Flags for spectators to wave during the parade.
The 2024 Flag Day Parade was announced by Chamber Director Connie Stowell. At about 2:15 p.m., the parade arrived at E. Main St., escorted by the Gouverneur Police Department. The lead car was driven by Village of Gouverneur Chief of Police Darren Fairbanks in GPD-413. Also in the parade were St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Police.
Next up was the Gouverneur Chamber Director Michelle Blackburn in a patriotic themed golf cart, driven by GHS Sophomore Electa Fitzgerald.
Local dignitaries waved American Flags greeted the public during the parade. Participating were Town of Gouverneur Supervisor Dave Spilman, Jr., Village of Gouverneur Mayor Ron McDougall, and Village of Gouverneur Trustee Troy Besaw.
The Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035, led by Exalted Ruler Katherine LaMere and Esteemed Leading Knight, with the Gouverneur Baseball and Softball League carried one of the largest American Flags in Northern New York during the flag.
The Greater Gouverneur Area Chamber of Commerce presented the $50 prize to the Gouverneur Baseball-Softball League’s 4J Hauling & 4 Seasons Storage T-Ball Team, driven by Coach Jordan Terpstra (owner and operator of 4J Hauling) for the “Most Patriotic Float.” Coach Terpstra donated the $50 prize was presented to the Gouverneur Baseball-Softball League.
The joint Silas Wainwright VFW Post 6338 and Auxiliary and the James Maloy American Legion Post No. 65 Color Guard showcased the colors. The Silas Wainwright VFW Post 6338 and Auxiliary also entered a patriotic float in the parade. Also participating was the James Maloy American Legion Post No. 65 and Auxiliary.
The 2024 Flag Day Parade also proved to be a showcase for local high school marching bands. The first to step out was the Heuvelton Marching Bulldogs, led by Drum Majorette Avery Macaulay, leading the back in this year’s show: “OMG We’re Back Again!” This featured 90s boy band music, including “Everybody,” “The Right Stuff” and “I Want It That Way” with a small reference to “Bye Bye Bye.” The band featured Garrett Wagner (sousaphone solo) and Kaylee Simmons (trumpet solo). The crowd cheered for the Marching Bulldogs as the made their way through downtown Gouverneur.
The Copenhagen Central School Marching Knights, under the direction of Greg Lubbers, performed an arrangement of “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi. The band consisted of students ranging from Grades 4-12. Their motto is “
Coming down the parade route with a loud roar were the Gouverneur Marching Wildcats, under the direction of Jenelle Patchin. The staff also includes Ryan Burt, Hailey Cook, Madison Kurdziel, and Jenneca Cook. The drum majorette is Kayden Cousino, and the drum major of music is Hayley Burt. The show for the 2024 season is “Born to be Wildcats.” During the 2024 Flag Day Parade, the Marching Wildcats performed an excerpt of the show which included “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish and “Evil Ways” by Santana featuring trumpet soloist Nicholas Bloxham. Greet cheers and applause rang out for the Gouverneur Marching Wildcats. The Gouverneur Marching Wildcats also extended appreciation to the community for their support. As a result, the Marching Wildcats debuted new color guard uniforms. In 2025, the community can look forward to seeing new brand new band and honor guard uniforms. The Gouverneur Marching Wildcats will next march at Morristown’s Fourth of July Parade, the first summer show of the season, which will feature the full show to also include “Born to Be Wild.”
Sean Peck, the son of Band Day Founder Carlton Peck of Gouverneur, is back home to support the 2024 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair (July 30-August 4). This year will mark the 60th year of the Carton Peck Family Marching Band Awards on Carlton Peck Band Day (Wednesday, July 31). Mr. Peck also took the opportunity to help the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Association promote the 2024 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair headline concert featuring David Lee Murphy and LoCash, on Aug. 3. Tickets are now available. For more info, visit www.gouverneurfair.net.
The Greater Gouverneur Area Chamber of Commerce’s Marble Member, Kinney Drugs, participated in the Flag Day Parade. The 1927 Ford, “EJ” named after long-time Kinney employee Eleanor Jackson, was driven by Jeff Butzer. Kinney Drugs’ 2021 Mack Anthem was driven by Jeff Knight. Kinney Drugs is proud to call Gouverneur home since 1903, and support all of the local communities they serve across New York and Vermont.
Also participating were the Richville Fire Department (Engine 12), the Gouverneur Fire Department (Engine 17 driven by Vinny Ferry with Captain Amber Haynes, Truck 2 driven by Chief Tom Conklin with Past Chief Barry Gale, ETA-101 driven by Past Chief Dale Johnson, Rescue-4 driven by Vinny D’Agostino with Brooklyn Wilson, Engine 18 driven by Thomas Haynes with Steven Bos), and Gouverneur Rescue Squad (A-175 driven by Samantha Berry).
Other parade participants included MacDonald’s (Esther Corcoran as the Hamburgler, Julie River, and Tamara Martin), YouTuber James Weir (EverythingGuy226), Gouverneur Lions Club (President Betsy Cummings, Ton Cummings, Diane Corbine, Andy Losey, Audra Schwelnus, Daimon Tuttle, Rita Saidel Rochelle Ayen, John Tuttle, and Seeley Tuttle), FirstStudent Gouverneur Bus Garage, NY-21 Congressional Candidate Paul Collins (Democratic and Working Families Party), Castle & Tire Repair Supply (Rondi Dunn and her dog Elwood), Whitton Construction (with Ella Mae, Emery and Connell Whitton on horseback), and the Broken Arrow Equestrian Club. The parade concluded with appearances by Gouverneur Chamber Directors CJ Fitzgerald and Melissa Simione.
Much appreciation was extended to the Greater Gouverneur Area Chamber of Commerce and all those who contributed any type of service toward the event’s success. For more info, call 315-287-0331 or visit gouverneurchamber.net.