The community spirit is set to be alive and well in Dresden when the third annual We Believe In Dresden Day is held.
The Dresden and District Christian Ministerial Association is holding the free event on May 31.
Rev. Andy Cornell of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church said a variety of events and activities will be taking place, including a hot dog barbecue lunch, free bike tune-ups by SportChek, a bike rodeo organized by Dresden Neighbourhood Watch, inflatables, games, popcorn and candy floss.
“All the churches in the area work together to put on something for the community that basically demonstrates a couple of things, firstly that churches are one, they’re united with one God, even though we have different ways of doing things,” Cornell said. “We want the community to know the churches are not at odds with each other, we can and do work together. Secondly, we want to put on an event, where everything is free. We give to each other, in the same way that God has given to us, we give back.”
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Cornell added they close off St. John Street beside St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church for the event, and they have also rented The Old Czech Hall for some other activities and overflow.
“All of these activities are being put on by the goodwill of other people,” he said. “It’s a chance to demonstrate if Christ were back here today, what would he be doing. We can’t heal, but we can share what we have.”
The event will also have a new feature this year.
Dresden resident Sandra Browning said her granddaughters LaTasha Browning and Jessica Browning, who are students in the esthetician program at St. Clair College, will bring some of their friends to the event.
“As part of their program, they need to get do some volunteer hours,” she said. “There will be seven girls total that will be providing manicures, regular finger nail polish, waxing. Last year we just did nail painting and we were steady all day.”
Cornell added a professional hair stylist will also be on hand giving out free haircuts.
“There is a lot of poverty out there,” he said. “For a lot of people, this is going to be a treat. This will be something that they don’t get to do that often.”
The event will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and all are welcome.
