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St. Lawrence County fair returns to Gouverneur with rides, music, boxing, ag exhibits, demolition derby, parade, dog show, more

Posted 7/31/15

By MATT LINDSEY GOUVERNEUR -- The St. Lawrence Fair returns here for its 164th year Aug. 4-9, with expanded carnival rides, boxing matches, country music concerts, agricultural exhibits, a demolition …

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St. Lawrence County fair returns to Gouverneur with rides, music, boxing, ag exhibits, demolition derby, parade, dog show, more

Posted

By MATT LINDSEY

GOUVERNEUR -- The St. Lawrence Fair returns here for its 164th year Aug. 4-9, with expanded carnival rides, boxing matches, country music concerts, agricultural exhibits, a demolition derby, exotic petting zoo, free ventriloquist and dog shows, and parades.

Last year around 30,000 people ventured through the fair gates. Admission is free. Parking costs $5.

"For the first time we are having sanctioned amateur boxing matches," according to Fair Manager Don Peck.

About 14 to 16 bouts are expected with fights from all over New York and Canada expected to make the trip. Bouts will include male, female and children.

"Two 10-old twins will compete…against each other if no other kids show up," he said.

Admission to the fights on Aug. 8 at noon is $10.

Coleman Brothers returns to the fair with nearly 30 carnival rides which run 1 to 11 p.m. daily with "wrist band discounts" each day. Friday night the rides will stay open until midnight.

"They are bringing four more rides this year putting us around 30 rides total," Peck said.

County music star Craig Campbell returns to the fair on Friday, Aug. 7, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 before the fair starts or $25 after Aug. 4.

"He will perform for about 90 minutes and sign autographs after the show," Peck said.

Country music artist Caroline Kole is slated to debut at the festival Saturday, Aug. 8, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 or buy-one-get-one-free if purchased by Aug. 6.

"Kole just turned 18 and has been touring the country opening for Reba McIntyre," according to Peck.

The opening ceremony on Tuesday, Aug. 4, will see a free performance from the Fort Drum Stage Band. Harness racing will be held Tuesday at noon.

More than 300 head of cattle will be judged and awards will be given all week. There will be animal shows and demonstrations taking place daily as well. Horses, sheep and goats will be there too.

Always a fair favorite, the demolition derby, will see nearly 100 cars crash and smash each other for entertainment purposes. The derby is slated for 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 9. Admission is $12 for adults and $8 for kids under age 10.

Free entertainment will include Meecha Braun and her “Amazing Dobermans.” She will perform several shows each day. Also performing several free shows daily will be a ventriloquist. The show is kid-friendly.

Peck says the Commerford Zoo, “largest petting zoo in the north east” will bring many animals to the North Country including a giraffe.

“There will even be camel rides, Peck said.

Wednesday will see two parades. The Carlton Peck Band Day will see at least five or six regional high school bands during the day and a firemen's parade featuring upwards of 30 local fire departments will take place at 7 p.m.

Concessions are always a big part of fairs and this year people can expect to see some new and returning food products including lamb, chicken, pork .

“Expect some different kinds of fair food,” he said.

There will be bicycle drawings Wednesday through Saturday. A talent show, held every year, will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6. Admission is $5.

The fairgrounds are on East Barney Street, behind Gouverneur High School.

Info: 287-3010.