2025 is a big year for the town of Thamesville.
The Threshing Festival will mark 50 years with some new events this weekend, but it all kicks off on Friday with the parade.
"The parade's at 6:30 p.m., and then we have the midway is going to be opening up," said co-chair Ed Pumfrey. "Big Shiny Toons are going to be starting at 9 p.m., and then the first drone show to Chatham Kent, we're going to be doing a drone show this year."
Forty-five vendors will also be on the grounds both days, and Saturday morning's events will feature lots of activities for kids and families.
"The Play Rangers are going to be the first thing to start off, and then the baby show, we have our annual frog jump, that's been going almost to the whole 50 years. We got Tiger Paws Exotic and pony rides, and then the midway starts again," said Pumfrey.
Other events on Saturday include the Canadian Cowgirls, Indigenous Dancers, Pro Wrestling 365, live music from Dirt Country and Kenny and Joel, the Parrot Club, Respect Revolution, and a chainsaw carving show by Mike Winia.
The events scheduled for Saturday evening are always a crowd favourite.
"We have our Junior and Senior Farmer Olympics, which has always been an incredible thing. Then we have Dragon Breath Entertainment so it's a fire show just before it's going to be the largest fireworks we've ever put on," said Pumfrey.
The fire show is a 9:30 p.m., and the fireworks will get underway around 10:15 p.m.
There will also be a 1970s dress-up competition on Friday and Saturday. Undercover judges will be roaming around Thamesville and the festival grounds, keeping their eyes peeled for the best '70s outfits.
Two long-time volunteers will also be honoured on Friday.
"Ron Vanrabaeys and Ron Swackhammer, these guys have been doing it from the beginning, 50 full years they volunteered for this event... it's amazing feat," said Pumfrey. "It was supposed to be a surprise, but it's out there now. Before the drone show on Friday night, we're going to be giving them a real nice send-off."
The full schedule can be found online at www.thamesvillethreshingfest.com.