Dresden is celebrating Canada’s 150th birthday this year with a series of events in the community.
Stuart Kiar, a local lawyer and Rotarian, told the Sydenham Current a number of different community groups are collaborating for the occasion.
“Rather than having one event we are having a series of events over the summer,” Kiar said.
“Events that are already planned to go ahead, but we are going to brand them as Dresden celebrating Canada’s 150th birthday.”
Series of events planned
Kiar said the first event to kick off the festivities is a 50th anniversary open house at Lambton-Kent Composite School, which was built in 1967.
He said a number of events are being planned for throughout the day on June 17.
“Also that day there is going to be a ‘Ford Drive 4 Your Community’ event at the high school in the morning,” Kiar said.
“The proceeds from that will be going to the sports field project that is taking place at the high school. New track, soccer fields and baseball diamond are being putting in. Also that day there just happens to be the Dresden town-wide yard sale. It will be a busy day in Dresden. So that is sort of the kick off.”
Kiar said July 1, Canada Day, will be a busy day in Dresden as well.
Racing will be taking palce at the Dresden Raceway, and a Canada 150 cake will be served at the track that day as well. Uncle Tom’s Cabin is also holding an event.
“No parade on Canada Day. We decided that with so many other events going on actually on July 1st, it would just be competing with everyone else who was trying to do something that day,” Kiar said.
The Dresden Rotary Club will once again be holding their concert series this summer, which will be every Thursday throughout the summer.
Kiar said eight concerts will be held, and details are still being worked out for who will be performing each week.
Kiar added that Kinstock will take place on July 14 and 15, the Dresden Exhibition will be held on July 28, 29 and 30. and Emancipation Day is on August 5 at Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
50/50 draw and legacy project
Kiar said the Dresden Kinsmen, Catherine McVean Chapter IODE, Dresden Agricultural Society, Dresden Rotary and the Dresden Legion are teaming up to sell 50/50 tickets this summer, with the proceeds going towarda a special legacy project.
“All of the groups are coming together to support us,” he said.
The draw for it will be on Thursday, August 24 at the final Rotary concert in the park. Tickets are for sale now and there are 5,000 tickets.”
He said the tickets are available fro members of the participating groups, and some are available at McKellar’s Flowers and Gifts and LKCS.
“The funds that are raised through this raffle will be supporting the Canada 150th legacy project, which will be a renovation of the town centre parkette. It is at the lights beside the old town hall. There is a sitting area there, so it is going to be completely refurbished. New plantings, new benches, we hope there will be a water feature in there too.”
For more details, visit: dresden.ca.
– File photo
– With files from Tami Eagen
