Big birthday part in Statton this weekend

Ken Johnston
Editor

The 100th Anniversary celebrations are set to go full steam ahead this weekend in Stratton.
Three years of efforts by the Stratton Centennial Committee will be realized when they host four days of fun filled events to celebrate the centennial.
Committee member Moe Henry and Chairman Telford Advent said, “Stratton is the place to be in 2003!” The big tent has been ordered and it will definitely tell people of the big party to be held there!
The weekend begins with registration at the Millennium Hall Friday, August 1st. There will be live entertainment. Many folks have already registered with the township and this will be there opportunity to pick up their registration packages which include all their meal tickets for the weekend and a whole bunch of fun stuff to keep and utilize during the weekend.
Saturday morning the busiest day of the weekend gets underway with pancake breakfast.
The parade will start marshalling around 9 a.m. and will get underway at 10 a.m.
Rod Salchert is boasting that Stratton will be home to the largest antique tractor/machinery display in Northwestern Ontario history.
A giant flea market and craft show will be held at Our Lady of the Way School.
The grand opening ceremonies for the party will be held at 11 a.m. with numerous dedications to take place at the hall.
Throughout the afternoon kids will be entertained by magicians, clowns and other fun!
There will be an opportunity for people to get old time photos done as well as a Morley Fire Dept. display.
A music jamboree that will see The Whalens reunite and Highway 621 perform as well as lots of other local talents. “It will be like Mudd City,” said Advent.
There are several open houses planned at the United Church, the Stratton Drop-in Centre and the hall. The Women’s Institute will be featured at the hall.
The Kiwanis Club of Fort Frances will be hosting one of their famous steak-fries at the big tent.
A hypnotist will entertain in the evening before a dance to Milestone will be held in the curling club.
Sunday the day will begin with a pancake breakfast and at 10 a.m. there will be a 5 k.m. run/walk hosted by the Lake of the Woods Cross-country team.
At 11 a.m. there will be a non-denomination church service.
Later in the day there will be an old time baseball game featuring all the players of the original Statton Fastball team. Their opponents have yet to be named.
A farmers/loggers competition will be held that day as well as old fashioned family games.
Since there are no old school records kept the committee has had difficulty in reaching many of those who used to live in Stratton to tell them about the centennial party. There will be several events throughout the weekend geared to former Stratton students.
Advent said, “I expect there will be at least a thousand extra people here this weekend.”
“It is coming together after three years after much thanks to the hard work of about a dozen committee members and countless others on subcommittees,” said Advent.
For more complete details and scheduling times see the special 100th anniversary edition inserted in this paper.