DRAYTON – Next year will mark 150 years since Drayton’s incorporation.
And a group of citizens is planning a range of events between June 27 and July 1, 2025 to celebrate the anniversary.
John Green is a member of the Committee to Celebrate the Village of Drayton’s 150th Anniversary, and he delegated to council on April 30 to request a grant of $5,000.
Council voted unanimously to provide the funds – $2,500 this year and another $2,500 next year – with the money coming from the township’s discretionary fund.
The group has hopes of organizing:
– a beef barbecue at the community complex;
– a chicken barbecue dinner;
– a wing night;
– a large parade;
– a large antique car show;
– camping facilities;
– open houses at churches and schools; and
– children’s activities.
The beef barbecue used to be a regular event, Green said, and organizers would like to add a chicken dinner barbecue “to support the chicken farmers in and about the area.”
The committee is also putting together a history book about businesses, churches and service clubs over the last 25 years, with hopes of selling the book to recover the costs of the anniversary celebrations.
An active history for the first 125 years since Drayton’s incorporation already exists, in three different volumes, Green noted, “and we would like to complete the 150 years with the latest 25.”
“When I first became involved in the village the population was small, but active,” Green wrote in the request.
“In 1983 the population was 743 and today it is approximately 2,700 – heading for 3,000.
“While our recent success is significant, remembering our past is very important, to look at 150 years as an active village,” Green said.
Councillor Marlene Ottens volunteers as a member of the Committee to Celebrate the Village of Drayton’s 150th Anniversary, and councillor Martin Tamlyn asked Green who else is involved in the committee.
Green said it’s “made up mainly of people who have been active in the community for a number of years,” including a few former councillors and service club members.
He said they are looking for more “middle-aged people in the community” to join the committee, with the hopes they will plan similar celebrations in 2050 for Drayton’s 175th anniversary.
