The Drayton Kinsmen and Kinettes have been very busy service clubs.
The recent Drayton Kinsmen Farm Show was well attended by the public and supported by its many exhibitors.
“We couldn’t and wouldn’t do a project like this without the support of Mapleton Township. It shows true leadership when a council and its service clubs can work together hand in hand,” club officials state.
Members have been working throughout the fall and winter on refurbishing their club room and despite a set back due to a frozen pipe and water damage, they are ready to host a open house on April 18. Community members are encouraged drop by between 5 and 7pm and support the Kinettes roast beef dinner, available for $10 per person. For those 12 and under the price is $5 and the meal is free for the very youngest. To book your tickets call 519-323-1734 and leave a message or email Wanda at draytonkinettes@gmail.com.
The Mapleton Market will be starting up at the agricultural hall (old arena) on May 30 and will run most Saturdays throughout the summer from 8am to noon. To book a table the cost is $20 per week and the club hopes to showcase as many local farm fresh and other vendors as possible. To book a market spot contact Gillian or Sara at draytonkinettes@gmail.com.
The Kinsmen have embarked on a new venture this year: The Kinsmen Smoke ‘N’ Sounds Festival will be July 10 and 11 at the Drayton fairgrounds. The event will feature a weekend of music, events and great cooking featuring three barbecue classes:
– a Kansas City BBQ Society-sanctioned professional class doing a four-meat cook-off with a total prize package of $4,000. The entry fee is $250 and many from the circuit are already planning to attend;
– a local amateur class two-meat cook-off with the public judging. Entry fee is $75 and the meat is provided; and
– a fire department class in a publicly-judged two-meat cook-off. Entry fee is $100 and the meat is provided.
While the barbecuing is going on, several other events will be providing entertainment. Moorefield Optimists will be doing a wing and fries night Friday night and on Saturday the Rotary Club food booth will be on the grounds. The Wellington Junior Farmers will be hosting a Farmers Olympics on Saturday afternoon and the Kinettes will be entertaining the children at Kinsmen Park after the market closes for the day. A pulled pork dinner will be available from 5 to 8pm hosted by the Drayton Kin family for $15 per person.
On Friday night, Saturday afternoon and Saturday night will be many local favourite musical performers: The Moore Brothers, Garth Franklin’s bluegrass band, Cowboy Up and Loose Change. The feature act for the Saturday night dance will be Ty Baynton and the City Boys (this is an age of majority event).
Camping is available for the weekend; contact draytonfair@hotmail.com.
All this activity will lead into the Drayton Fair August 7 to 9 hosted by the Drayton Mapleton Agricultural Society, where local Kin will again be hosting the entertainment tent and sponsoring a class at the tractor pull.
With a very busy summer coming up, Drayton Kinsmen and Kinettes are encouraging everyone to come out and support their many events and learn about the numerous projects the groups are working on.
“Kinsmen and Kinettes are making Mapleton a better place to live and raise a family,” club officials state.
