Arts, Culture and Heritage | Township of Mapleton

The Township of Mapleton is a community rich in heritage and culture. It is where the past proudly meets the present. Whether you're looking to take in a live theater performance at our historical Drayton Festival Theatre, or take a trip back in time at the Wellington County Museum and Archives, Mapleton's rich culture and heritage offers something for everyone!

As a way to help facilitate growth within the arts and culture sector, the Township of Mapleton has also created a Municipal Cultural Plan. This plan helps to provide the Township with a strategy to leverage its cultural resources in building a prosperous and sustainable economy, improving quality of life across the municipality, and sustaining and strengthening community cohesion and civic pride.

For more information, please visit our Events Calendar and Community Clubs and Organizations pages.

Events and Festivals

There is always something to see and do in the Township of Mapleton. Our community hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year including the Alma Car Show, Campin and Jammin in the Park, Custom Rodders Car Show, Drayton Fair, Mapleton Farmers' Market, Santa Clause Parades, Smoke and Sounds Festival and Taste Real. For a full list of upcoming events, please visit our Events Calendar.

Do you have an upcoming event?

Event organizers are now able to post, view and advertise community and business events directly on our events calendar. All events submitted by the community will be reviewed prior to posting.

Submit an Event

Disclaimer: Posting an event on the website does not imply endorsement by the Township of Mapleton. The Township reserves the right to edit a message or category for grammar and clarity. The Township reserves the right to deny submissions at any time and at its sole discretion.

Taste Real

Taste Real is an initiative of the County of Wellington that is supported by the Township of Mapleton's Economic Development Department. The mission of Taste Real is to support local small businesses and farms to build stronger rural communities and grow one of the most vibrant, local food economies and food tourism destinations in Ontario. By assisting with the marketing of local food initiatives, Taste Real saves local organizations and businesses many advertising dollars so that they can focus on their own product.

For more information about this programme, please watch the Taste Real YouTube Video, visit the Taste Real website.

Museums and Archives

The Wellington County Museum and Archives is a National Historic Site. It is located in a building that stands as the oldest remaining House of Industry in Canada. It was built in 1877 as a "Poor House" or place of refuge for the poor, homeless, and destitute people in Wellington County. It operated as a Poor House and Industrial Farm until 1947 when it became a County Home for the Aged. In 1974 it was transformed into the Wellington County Museum and Archives. A new Archives wing opened in 2010. The Wellington County Archives contain books, pamphlets, directories, maps, atlases, government records, private manuscripts, photographs and newspapers. These resources document the history of the towns and townships that make up Wellington County.

For more information, please visit the Wellington County Museum and Archives website.

Theatre Performances

Drayton Festival Theatre

The Township of Mapleton is home to the Drayton Festival Theatre, one of Canada's most successful professional theatre companies. The Drayton Festival Theatre is located in a historic 1902 Opera House that contains 375 seats and boasts marvelous acoustics with a main floor and balcony. This celebrated building once served as the Town Hall and housed the Fire Department, Library, Jail, and Council Chambers. With such a varied past, this completely modernized facility is a must-see!

For more information, please visit the Drayton Entertainment website.