DRAYTON – Almost 150 years have passed since Drayton was incorporated as a village, and a committee of community members has some big plans underway to celebrate next year.
Mapleton Celebrates Drayton’s 150th is set to take place June 27 to 29.
The event will be presented in partnership with the Township of Mapleton and the Drayton Agricultural Society.
There will be live music, children’s activities, a car show, a soap box derby, an interdenominational church service, camping and lots of food, just to name a few of the planned highlights.
And organizers have high hopes of making as much of the celebration as possible free of charge, though that will depend on the generosity of sponsors.
Committee member Ab Hesselink said “our goal is to make it as inexpensive as we can for everybody.”
Hesselink lived in Drayton for 62 years. During that time he served with the fire department for 37 years, on council for 21 years, and he’s been on the Drayton Festival Theatre board since the theatre’s inception in 1990.
His family is part of the village’s history, with his dad opening Drayton’s sixth store, the Hesselink Store (later the Hesselink Shopping Centre), in 1953.
“I do have a real passion for the village,” he said. “I think it’s important that the history not be forgotten.”
Drayton has a rich history, Hesselink said, and “has grown so much.
“When I grew up there were only 700 people in town … now we’re just short of 3,000 people. I think its important we somehow remember the heritage and pride.”
He hopes the village’s birthday celebration will help “new residents really appreciate some of our history.
“Preserving the history of Drayton connects generations through shared traditions, values and experiences, fostering a deep sense of community and belonging,” Hesselink said.
Friday, June 27
The festivities will begin on Friday, with an opening ceremony, chicken wings and beer at the old arena at the fairgrounds, and local bands performing at the theatre.
Saturday, June 28
Breakfast will be served on Saturday morning.
There will be a “large” car show at the fairgrounds from 9am to 1:30pm, Hesselink said, and a soap box derby on Wood Street.
An assortment of children’s activities will be set up at the fairgrounds, including a cornhole tournament, mini train rides, bouncy castles and face painting.
There will be a parade in the afternoon and Drayton churches will welcome visitors for open houses throughout the day.
In the evening there will be a beef supper at the PMD arena and more live music: the event’s headlining band, which is yet to be announced.
“In the old arena hall there will be different displays for different organizations like the historical society,” Hesselink said, and “there will be spots for school reunions and things like that in the arena.”
There will also be lots of “places to congregate,” Hesselink said, “so old friends can mingle and reminisce.”
He said there were discussions about calling the event a Drayton reunion, but this wording was intentionally avoided to make it clear that newcomers to Drayton are just as welcome and included in the event, as are residents from long-ago.
Sunday, June 29
Sunday morning will kick off with another breakfast at the fairgrounds, and then an interdenominational church service, Hesselink said.
The children’s activities will continue on Sunday, and the live music will too, with “pickers and fiddlers” playing throughout the evening and night,” he said.
On Sunday evening there will be a chicken dinner at the old arena fairgrounds, followed by fireworks and a closing ceremony.
Camping
There will be serviced campsites available throughout the weekend, on the agricultural society’s land near the Drayton ball diamonds.
Hesselink said organizers are hopeful that lots of people will book campsites, so that those who no longer live in Drayton can enjoy the full weekend of festivities.
Support
The big piece now, Hesselink said, is securing sponsors.
He said there are lots of corporations that call Drayton home, and “We are hoping we can get a lot of sponsorship there.”
For information about sponsoring Drayton’s 150th anniversary celebrations, email Mary Downey at maryjdowney@msn.com or Hesselink at ab@hesselink.ca.
Organizers are also seeking individuals and organizations to volunteer, both leading up to and during the event, as well as in the near future to help secure sponsorships.
More information about the celebration is available on Facebook at “Drayton 150th Celebration 2025” and details will be added to the event website at drayton150.com.
Once the website is complete, attendees will be able to book campsites, pre-order meals, and sign up to volunteer, Hesselink said.
