by Rachel Hunter

The 2024 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Carlton Peck Band Day on Wednesday, July 31 drew the North Country to the Gouverneur Fairgrounds to witness the marching band excellence from five area marching bands from local school districts. Participating this year was the hometown favorite, the Gouverneur Marching Wildcats, along with marching bands from Heuvelton, Morristown, Lisbon, and Thousand Islands-General Brown. The high school bands parade was held at 1 p.m. at the grandstand (free admission to the fairgoing public) with the 60th Annual Peck Family Awards to follow.

Band Day Director Sean Peck, the son of the Band Day Founder Carlton E. Peck who passed away on November 19, 2021. Carlton E. Peck (GHS ’63) was the drum major with the Gouverneur Marching Wildcats. There were no marching band awards at the time. Before the 1964 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair, Carlton Peck went to the fair board and talked with then-Fair President Bligh A. Dodds about starting awards in recognition of marching band excellence. “They thought it was a great idea,” Sean Peck said. “But they couldn’t help him with it. He said: “No, I want to take care of it myself.” Carlton started with his first award “The Isabella” in honor of his mother (Isabella King Peck) at the 1964 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair on the grandstand track. “Here we are 60 years later, twenty awards,” Sean Peck said. “Every part of the band is taken care of and every family member has an award in their name… It is an emotional year for me with him not being here, but he’s here in spirit.”

The grandstand was filled with supporters as the North Country community gathered together to celebrate the local school marching bands as their season concluded. Dignitaries present included Fair Manager Donald Peck and Village of Gouverneur Mayor Ron McDougall who welcomed the crowd to the Carlton Peck Day and the 60th Anniversary of the Peck Awards at the 2024 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair in Gouverneur.

The 2024 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair High School Band Parade included the following:

The Gouverneur Marching Wildcats, under the direction of Jenelle Patchin, performed their 2024 show “Born To Be Wildcats” featuring music of the tough guys, including “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish, “Evil Ways” by Santana and “Born To Be Wild” by Stepenwolf. Special recognition was given to drum majorette Kayden Cousino, drum major of music Hayley Burt, and trumpet soloist Nicholas Bloxham. Much appreciation was extended to the friends and parent group of the Gouverneur Marching Band, staff and Board of Education at Gouverneur Central School District, Gouverneur Correctional Facility, Nichols, and Hamilton Family, the Pawanonon Family, Jeremy Bartholoew, Dede Scozzafava, Donald and Rachel Durham, Bimbo Bakery, Frito Lays, Price Chopper, and the whole Gouverneur community for their continued support.

The Morristown Marching Rockets performed “Rockin’ Out With The Rockets!” featuring songs “Uptown Funk,” “The Cupid Shuffle” and “Hit The Road Jack.” The Morristown Marching Rockets includes students from fourth to twelfth grade. They were led by Majorette Reagan Butler. Much appreciation was extended Band Boosters, the Morristown CSD Administration and Board of Education for their continued support.

The Heuvelton Marching Bulldogs, led by drum majorette Avery Macaulay, performed their 2024 Show “OMG We’re Back Again” featuring music from 90s boy bands. The crowd heard “Everybody-Backstreet’s B ack” by the Backstreet Boys, “I Want It That Way,” by the Backstreet Boys, and “You Go It – The Right Stuff” by New Kids On The Block with a small reference to “Bye Bye Bye” by NSYNC. Special recognition was given to trumpet soloists Kayee-Simmons Noel and Shane Mudge, sousaphone soloist Garrett Wagner, snare soloist Mairin King, and tenor drum soloist Cole Trombley.

The Lisbon Golden Knights performed their 2024 Program: “Survivor.” Musical sources included “The Final Countdown” by Europe, and original drum feature, “Barrage” by director Glenn Roberts and “Still Standing” by Elton John. The Golden Knights were led by drum majorette Layla Rishe, and the 2024 marching band staff included Carly Harper (color guard instructor), Kamrynn Gammon (front line instructor), Brian O’Brian (drumline instructor), and Glenn Roberts (director).

The Thousand Islands-General Brown Marching Band featured students in sixth to twelfth grade who performed arrangements of “Forget You” and “Montero” by Tom Wallace.

The 60th Annual Peck Family Awards were then announced as follows: “Peck/Harden” Best American Flag Line (Morristown), “Kelly Ann” Best Mascot With Band (Heuvelton), “Carter” Best Rifle Unit (Gouverneur), “Carlton” Best Baton Unit (Heuvelton), “Matt-Matt” Best Wind Line (Gouverneur), “Elmer” Best Brass Line (Thousand Islands-General Brown), “Sean” Best Percussion Line (Gouverneur), “Mort” Espirit-de-corps (Thousand Islands-General Brown), “Fawnie” Award of Merit (Lisbon), “Robyn” Best Soloist (Lisbon), “MJ-Maya/Mylo” Best Special Feature (Morristown), “Judy” Best Drum Majorette (Gouverneur), “Margie” Best Color Flag Unit (1st place Gouverneur, 2nd place Heuvelton), and the “Isabella” Overall Marching Excellence (1st place Gouverneur, 2nd place Heuvelton).

Band Day Director Sean Peck is already making plans for the 61st Peck Family Awards to be “bigger and better” at the 2025 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair. For more information, visit gouverneurfair.net or contact Director Sean Peck.