Harvest celebrations

The return of Mapleton’s Harvest Festival seems like a timely and positive development for the community.

After a five-year hiatus, the township is set to host a Harvest Festival Fair on Oct. 13. The festival, which brings together community businesses and organizations to celebrate with local residents, was initially intended to be an annual event, but was last held in 2013, according to a report by economic development officer Trish Wake at the Aug. 28 Mapleton council meeting.

With the popularity of farmers markets and rural-tourism based events like Wellington County’s Rural Romp, it appears there is an appetite in this area for agricultural activities, as well as consumables.

The free event will be hosted at the PMD Arena in Drayton beginning at 7am with the firefighters pancake breakfast and demonstrations and will wrap up at 10pm with campfire songs/stories. Meanwhile, local residents and visitors can get their fill of agriculture-themed fun at the Harriston Minto Fall Fair, set for Sept. 14 to 16, with the promising theme of Autumn Treasures.