Dresden, Ontario

Dresden, Ontario

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 Guinness 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 number which beat the old record by 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 total of $104,000 plus dollars for the Society.