by Rachel Hunter
The 8th 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 24, 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 has drawn thousands of North Country residents in recent years.
The Community Health Center of the North Country and the Seaway Valley Prevention Council have put a call-out for trunks at the 2025 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 or filling out an online form. The Gouverneur Chamber of Commerce informed the Gouverneur Tribune Press that they will be there with their decorated trunk, and encouraged 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 (by 4:30 p.m.) for set-up so that you can hand out candy and show off your decorations. There are trophies for first, second and third place for best decorated trunk.
Mark your calendars today for the 2025 Gouverneur Trunk or Treat event, sponsored by the Community Health Center of the North Country and the Seaway Valley Prevention Council, on Friday, October 24, 6-8 p.m., at the Gouverneur Fairgrounds.