| Dresden | |
|---|---|
| — Incorporated community — | |
| Motto: Discover Dresden: The Charm, The Beauty, The Lifestyle | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Ontario |
| Municipality | Chatham-Kent |
| Population | |
| • Total | 2,800 |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| Forward sortation area | N0P 1M0 |
| Area code(s) | 519 and 226 |
| NTS Map | 040J09 |
| GNBC Code | FAZSG |
| Website | www.exploredresden.ca |
Dresden is an agricultural community in southwestern Ontario, Canada, part of the municipality of Chatham-Kent. Dresden is best known as the home of Josiah Henson, the former U.S. slave whose life story was the inspiration for the novel Uncle Tom's Cabin. It has been, therefore, characterized as the "Terminus of the Underground Railroad", although many escaped slaves were known to gather, at least to worship, as far south and east as what is today Chatham, Ontario. The Henson homestead is a historic site located near what is today the town of Dresden, and is owned and operated by the Ontario Heritage Trust. Dresden is located on the Sydenham River. The community is named after Dresden, Germany. The major crops in the area are wheat, soybeans, corn and tomatoes. Dresden is home of the Dresden Exhibition and is listed in the Guiness Book of world records for having the WORLD'S LONGEST TRACTOR PARADE. The tractor parade was used as a fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society. 1,232 was the number of tractors it took to claim the Guinness Book of World Records title for the world’s largest parade of tractors. A total which thoroughly trounced the old record of 601!
On July 24 2010, Area farmers converged on the Southwestern community of Dresden to take part in the “Greatest Tractor Parade: Farmers Driving out Cancer”. Big, small, new and antique tractors of all shapes, sizes, makes and models assembled in a local farmer’s field in preparation for the parade. Many tractor drivers were inspired to fight back against cancer by taking part in honour or memory of loved ones touched by cancer. Others made the event a family affair with husbands, wives, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters all behind the wheel in support of the cause.
The concept for the event came from Ken Richards, a local prostate cancer survivor. To promote the event, Richards painted his 1944 Cockshutt 60 tractor yellow, blue and pink to represent various cancer awareness colours.
The turn out surpassed even the expectations of event organiser Richards, "I thought we might get 800 tractors - but seeing approximately 1,200 tractors on parade blows me away,” he commented. The parade made its way through the town of Dresden to its final destination of the local fairgrounds complex and was a fitting way to celebrate the 135th annual Dresden Fair.
“The event committee was dedicated to making this world record happen, they put their whole heart into the event,” said Rachel MacLeod, the Fundraising Coordinator. “The Canadian Cancer Society is so fortunate to have the support of such a wonderful community.” she added.
To date, “Greatest Tractor Parade: Farmers Driving out Cancer” has raised a phenomenal $104,000 plus dollars for the Society.
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Dresden is currently the location of the Dresden Raceway, the only raceway in the municipality of Chatham-Kent, which features a 1/2-mile track for harness racing. Dresden is also home to a casino (the Dresden Slots) operated by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, which is also the only slots facility in the municipality. The downtown area runs for about 3 blocks, with stores and businesses that serve the local and surrounding community and tourists. For a bit of colour, the streets are lined with planters courtesy of the Dresden Horticultural Society and many volunteers. In October, just before Halloween, there are cornstalk and scarecrow decorations on the lampposts. There is a grocery store, a drug store, jewelery and gifts, photography studio, a Sears outlet, post office, automotive supplies, dentist, doctors, optometrist, a gym, legal advice, and more.
The climate is mild. Summer days can be hot and humid. In winter, Dresden is fortunate not to be in the snowbelt which begins near London, Ontario, hence snow accumulation is generally not a big problem
Dresden has one secondary school, Lambton-Kent Composite School (LKCS), one elementary school, Dresden Area Central School (DACS), that serve Dresden and the surrounding communities.
Dresden features a number of small bussinesses from gas stations to small specialty stores. Dresden is home to Delmote Foods Canning plant; where they produce many canned delmote vegetables as well as Alymer Ketchup. Thyssen Krupp Fabco auto parts manufacturer Richcote Metal Coating Waste Wood Disposal MPT Automation Technologies as well as many retail stores
In 2007, Dresden celebrated the 125th year since its founding.