by Rachel Hunter
The Gouverneur Volunteer Fire Department celebrated 147 years of service to Gouverneur and the surrounding areas by hosting the largest, most spectacular, and longest fireworks held in the North Country on Thursday, July 3, dusk, at the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fairgrounds. Admission was a donation to the Gouverneur Volunteer Fire Department.
Did you know? The first department in Gouverneur was known as “Gouverneur Hose Company No. 1” and was organized in December 1868. On November 22, 1877, this company voted to disband. On January 29, 1878, the Fire Company was reorganized again under the name “Gouverneur Hose Company No. 1” and chartered by the State of New York, and has remained in continuous service to this day.
The Gouverneur Volunteer Fire Department takes great pride in offering the largest fireworks display in the North Country each year, thanks to the efforts by the Northern New York Display Fireworks (Potsdam, NY) and contributions from local community members and area businesses. The sponsors include: Platinum Sponsor Brian Tripp of 4 Season's Storage for the generous donation. Gold Sponsors: BiOrigin Specialty Paper, Casablanca Restaurant, Conklin Insurance, ENI Mechanical, G&R Auto Parts, Gouverneur Savings & Loan, KT Contracting, Northland Veterinary Hospital, NTC Contracting, RSI Roofing, Superior Plus Propane. Silver Sponsors: Blevins Ford, Cives Steel, Don Peck Auctioneer, Empire State Mines, Fun Unlimited, Gouverneur PTO, Hilltop Energy, MRSLC, Newvine's NAPA Auto Parts, and Gretchen Tessmer. Gratitude was also extended to all the fans that came and donated to the fireworks and supported the local vendors.
On the evening of July 3, the air buzzed with anticipation and patriotic pride long before the first firework ignited. Starting at 5 p.m., local families gathered all over the Gouverneur Fairgrounds to enjoy the fireworks spectacular. North Country residents enjoyed walking the fairgrounds, “eating and shopping local” at many local vendors. As one North Country resident told the Gouverneur Tribune Press: “Food trucks reflect the American spirit. The small businesses are chasing big dreams, offering diverse menus, honor heritage, and a presence that unites communities during celebrations.” Local vendors included Scotty’s New York Pizza, Mullin’s, Cotton Candy N More, Nibbles Snackery, Hillbilly Street Dogs, Whinee Weiners, Sweet Creations by Lindsey, glow sticks (Josh Barrett).
Many North Country residents also participated in various raffles. They served as grassroots acts of unity with neighbors giving, hoping, and celebrating together. As the Independence Day holiday neared, the raffles echoed America's spirit of generosity, freedom, and belief in building something better – one ticket and one shared purpose at a time. The Gouverneur Fire Department announced that the 50-50 raffle winner took home $1,964. A winner was also announced in the raffle contest for a Lottery Tree Board with $200 in tickets and a $50 bill. Much gratitude was extended to all for their support.
The 2025 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair will be held on Tuesday, July 29 to Sunday, August 3, 2025. The Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Association offered French fries and cheese fries for sale, promoted the fair, and sold raffle tickets for a drawing to be held after the demolition derby on Sunday, August 3. Prizes include a zero-turn mower, utility trailer, smoker, chainsaw, and trimmer. Tickets will be available during the 2025 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair. The funds will go to the general fund for building and grounds maintenance at the Gouverneur Fairgrounds, and to help cover Fair expenses not covered by the fair’s generous sponsors. To view more details about the Fair, visit www.gouverneurfair.net.
Anticipation built as the local skies darkened. Then, at about 9:30 p.m., a loud boom in the night sky drew the attention of the North Country. A fiery blossom exploded overhead, and a wave of cheers swept through the crowd. Light rained down like confetti from the heavens. Each burst felt symbolic: crimson for courage, white for unity, blue for steadfastness. The sounds were loud and proud, echoing like a tribute to the sacrifices carved into history. Smoke curled upward like a salute, trailing behind each fiery bloom. The show lasted about 30 minutes. Faces lit up, not just with awe but with pride throughout the fireworks spectacular. You saw it in the way people looked skyward … steadfast, grateful, reverent. It was clear: The Fourth isn’t just a holiday – it’s a reminder. Of resilience. Of freedom hard-won. Of the dream that still draws hearts together under the American Flag. And when the final volley scorched the sky in dazzling, unapologetic light, North Country residents felt it deep in the pulse of patriotism.
“We hope everyone enjoyed the show and hope to see you next year,” the Gouverneur Fire Department said in a statement.