On June 8th, Mission Community Foundation awarded and recognized students for their academic achievements, community service and character.

​Through the generous support of local benefactors, 91 students received a total of $104,500 in scholarships and bursaries!

Residents of Welton Towers in Mission are living in safer, more comfortable homes following renovations to the 61-unit seniors' apartment building.

"These renovations help ensure a supply of quality, affordable homes for seniors in Mission so they can continue to live in their community," said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing.  "Through our government's new housing action plan, we will continue to support and respect our seniors by delivering affordable options in communities throughout BC". 

Located at 33214-2nd Ave., Welton Towers is an eight-storey, concrete apartment building with 60 affordable studio homes for seniors, as well as a two-bedroom caretaker suite. Built in 1973, it required significant upgrades.

"For many years, Welton Towers has provided a central and affordable housing option for our seniors," said Paul Horn, mayor of Mission. "This investment by BC Housing ensures that this vital housing resource will remain a safe and comfortable home for many more. Mission has been working closely with BC Housing to improve our affordable housing options, and this is just one in a series of measures we are taking together."

Beginning in 2020, the preservation project was completed over two phases and included replacing flooring, bathrooms, appliances, cabinetry, fixtures and doors.
The renovations enhanced the living and safety environment for residents through substantial building upgrades, such as air conditioning in the building's amenity room and air handling to provide fresh air to all common areas. Improvements to the building's lighting, security system, and fire-stopping measures were also made. The renovations will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by incorporating energy-conservation measures, such as new baseboard heaters in each room as well as double-glazed windows.

"Our government is proud to have contributed toward the renovations of Welton Towers so the needs of seniors in Mission will continue to be met for years to come," said Harwinder Sandhu, Parliamentary Secretary for Senior Services and Long-Term Care. "Having a home is fundamental, and this is a great opportunity for us to engage with our community partners to make sure seniors have greater access to affordable housing."

Welton Towers is owned and operated by the Mission and District Senior Citizens Housing Association (MDSCHA), which is a non-profit housing provider.

"The Mission and District Senior Citizens Housing Association is proud of the safe and affordable seniors' housing Welton Towers has provided for 50 years," said Sandra Marshall, president, MDSCHA. "We are thankful to BC Housing for funding this major renovation project that will preserve Welton Towers for many more years."

MDSCHA temporarily relocated affected tenants into vacant units within the building throughout the three-year renovation period.
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"Thank you to the Mission and District Senior Citizens Housing Association and everyone who worked so hard for so long to make these renovations possible," said Pam Alexis, MLA for 10% Abbotsford-Mission. "By extending the lifespan of these homes, we're ensuring Mission seniors can continue to live independently and stay connected to their community. We could not ask for a better way to celebrate Welton Towers' 50th anniversary."

The project is part of a $19-billion housing investment by the B.C. government. Since 2017, the Province has delivered more than 76,000 new homes that have been completed or are underway, including more than 270 in Mission.

Quick Facts:

• The Province, through BC Housing, invested $5 million for the renovations through Capital Renewal Fund, a 10-year, $1.1-billion investment committed to preserve and improve B.C.'s social housing units.
• The Welton Towers' renovation project is expected to reduce annual energy demand by 50% and greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 60%.
• Renovations followed BC Housing's Design and Construction Standards, including commissioning an energy study and incorporating energy-conservation measures.
• All projects funded by BC Housing must target or exceed 75% waste diversion from landfills on the Lower Mainland

Learn More:
To learn about government's new Homes for People action plan,  visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HOUS0019-000436

A map showing the location of all announced provincially funded housing projects in BC is available online: https://www.bchousing.org/homes-for-BC

To learn about the steps the Province is taking to tackle the housing crisis and deliver affordable homes for British Columbians, visit https://workingforyou.gov.bc.ca/

The Soap Box Derby brought many thousands of people to Mission every year during its run and up to 20,000 at its peak. It began in 1946 after local businessmen and the Board of Trade decided to hold a Strawberry Festival in Mission. The goal was to provide funding for a much-needed addition to the hospital after the war and also to promote the waning berry industry. 

Jimmy Gunn, a committee member on the Board of Trade, thought of putting on a Soapbox Derby in conjunction with the Strawberry Festival. Both events were held on Main Street from Grand to Horne Street. Boys aged from 11 to 16 years of age were allowed to enter. In the following years the soapbox cars had to be built to strict specifications by the boys, without receiving any outside help other than advice. The boys usually spent two to three months working on their cars, which were carefully inspected for safety and eligibility at each derby. 

Mission's first derby in 1946 (a "wildcat" race) was a big success, and the following year, Mission's Soapbox Derby became a franchise of the American Soapbox Association. Becoming affiliated with the American Soapbox Association meant that the winner in Mission went to Akron, Ohio to race in the All-American Soapbox Derby Championship finals. In 1949, the increasing popularity of the derby caused it to remain on Main Street while the festivities of the Strawberry Festival were moved to the Fairgrounds (at 7th and Grand, now the site of the Leisure Centre). 

By 1950, the derby was a province-wide contest. Teams of volunteers and sponsors, including GM Motors and Shell Oil, pooled their resources to ensure the event ran smoothly. In 1953, to accommodate the derby's increasing popularity, the city of Mission built a new track at the Fairgrounds to the same specifications as the track in Akron. Many considered the event a "character building experience" for the boys and the network of adults that supported them. The whole community that had worked diligently to make the derby a success was repeatedly praised by neighbouring communities and beyond. 

The derby's success surpassed everyone's expectations and in 1956 the Strawberry Festival was dropped to focus exclusively on the derby. In 1958 the derby had over 200 contestants, representing over 40 different communities. However, the increasing number of entries and competition to build better cars contributed to a decrease in local entries and the cost of staging the event had also increased with its popularity. Because income from the Strawberry Festival had offset a considerable part of the cost of staging such an enormous event, it was becoming more and more difficult to continue on revenues from the derby alone. Although the Soapbox Derby had a multitude of sponsors, they did not provide sufficient monetary contributions to offset the costs. 

In the following years, the Soapbox Derby became more and more difficult to put on, due to a lack of funds and declining local interest. Eventually, GM Motors withdrew their sponsorship and the event was dropped in 1974. 

The soapbox derby was reinstated as a yearly event in 1999 until 2018.  And now the year, it's back!

Race day is on June 24, 2023, 7am near Hatzic Elementary School on Draper St.  If it happens to rain, the  back up date will be September 23, 2023.

Pre-Race (Registration) will be on June 10, 2023 between 10am - 3pm at the Mission Leisure Centre.  

The Mission Soapbox Derby Association does have a number of soapbox cars available for people to use for the day if they do not have their own. People are encouraged however to build or bring their own car to show off their personal, stylized "hot rod".
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To register for the Soapbox Derby event, please come to our pre-race day. Registration forms can be found on our resources page. Registrations will not be taken on race day due to event timings being calculated prior to the event day.
The registration cost is:

• Child (8 to 14 years old): $35.00
• Adult (15 years and up): $35.00

The soapbox derby is always looking for volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, visit their website http://www.missionsoapbox.com/ 

The 2023 festival offers a widely diverse roster of talented artists and groups from across Canada, the US, and beyond. Over 20 acts are slated to perform at daytime stages and on the evening main stage in the park, which overlooks the Fraser River just east of Mission. Weekend passes are on sale now at Early Bird prices, with the deadline for purchasing them at this discount rate now extended to May 31.
 
The MFMF’s Artistic Director, Michelle Demers Shaevitz, has put together a weekend of music that includes both familiar names and exciting new discoveries. 
“It’s a thrill for us to return to Fraser River Heritage Park for our 36th Annual festival”, says Demers Shaevitz. “I’m excited to welcome folks back to the park to share some amazing global music with them. This year’s festival features everything from singer-songwriter folk to Celtic, blues, bluegrass and soul to the unique mash-up of traditional folk music and indie pop with Korea’s Dongyang Gozupa. The roster also features the soulful songs of Toronto songstress, Tanika Charles, and, closing main stage Saturday night, an electrifying performance by Haiti’s Wesli. From the wilds of BC’s West Coast (and fresh from a trip to Memphis), Blue Moon Marquee will help kick off the festival Friday night, and a true Canadian treasure, David Francey, returns to our main stage on Sunday. In between, there’s an incredible range of tunes to enjoy. We welcome everyone from our longtime fans to folks who’ll be experiencing Mission for the first time. Come join us. Come Follow Your Folk!”
The full roster of 2023 performers is below.
 
The festival’s Evening Main Stage concert lineup offers a chance to experience many of the festival artists in one sitting – a perfect way to spend a summer’s evening. 
On stage (in order of performance (subject to change)):
Friday, July 21: Welcome - with the Le q’aimel Dancers | Robin Layne and The Rhythm Makers | Skye Consort and Emma Björling | The Oot n’ Oots | Kentucky Eileen | Blue Moon Marquee
Saturday, July 22: Dongyang Gozupa | Cedric Watson & Jourdan Thibodeaux | Leonard Sumner
Tanika Charles | Wesli
Sunday, July 23: Festival Choir | Abigail Lapell | Twin Flames | David Francey & Terra Spencer | OKAN
 
Everything kicks off Friday night, July 21 with the main stage concert lineup. Saturday and Sunday (July 22 and 23) sees music workshops, concerts and collaborations on three daytime stages, with a showcase of artists on the evening main stage both days.  Every year is exciting, and this year’s lineup offers festival-goers a chance to really connect with the music through workshops, the Festival Choir, and weekend jams. The festival also offers interactive programming for Wee Folks at day stages.
 
In addition to the great tunes in a beautiful environment, there are both Foodand Artisan Market vendors and a licensed, shaded Bistro on site. Attendees can also choose to camp in the park for an additional fee. Over 300 enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers ensure the festival runs smoothly.  
 
The Mission Folk Music Festival is renowned for not only the great music on its stages, but for the warmth of welcome offered to artists and festival-goers alike. A whole-of-community effort, the festival is affordable, offers shaded day stages and opens its arms to create a weekend oasis of friendly, easygoing enjoyment and musical appreciation. The harmony at Mission Folk is not limited to the stage.
 
MISSION FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL 2023 ARTIST LINEUP
Patrick Anthony - a storytelling singer/songwriter with a multitude of influences and a family connection to the traditions of the Leq'a:mel First Nations
Blue Moon Marquee – this band writes and performs original compositions influenced by anything that swings, jumps or grooves
Alysha Brilla – a composer, audio engineer, artist and change-maker who weaves together global roots sounds into healing music
Tanika Charles – a soul music powerhouse 
Dongyang Gozupa – this unique progressive rock band has deep roots in Korean traditional music 
David Francey - one of Canada’s finest singer-songwriters and storytellers
Kentucky Eileen - meaningful tunes - hand-written and packaged just how you like ‘em.
Tennyson King - a nomadic indie folk musician from Hong Kong and Canada
Abigail Lapell - call her music ‘prairie noir’ or ‘Canadiana desert rock’ – they’re just gorgeous modern folk songs
Robyn Layne and The Rhythm Makers - blurring the lines between jazz and folk and carving new territory for the marimba 
Graham Lindsey - inventive traditional Celtic tunes on mandolin, tenor banjo, guitar and more 
OKAN - fusing Afro-Cuban roots with jazz, folk and global rhythms 
The Oot n’ Oots - a family that makes wildly imaginative music, brimming with humour and inspiration, for other families 
Alex Rake and The Leaves - Alex is a poet and songwriter born and raised in Mission, BC. The Leaves are a ragtag band of experimental folk musicians, each harbouring a dark secret
Skye Consort & Emma Björling – a trans-Atlantic mix of traditional music from Québec, Sweden, Norway, with a dose of the Celtic thrown in
Terra Spencer - onstage wit, a butterscotch voice, deft fingerstyle guitar, gospel piano, and ‘70s wood-paneled warmth
Strangely – known for his musical antics and circus shenanigans, this multi-faceted performer always sparkles and surprises.
Leonard Sumner – an Anishinaabe singer and songwriter whose music blends country, folk and hip-hop
Strong Bow & Wry - two friendly veteran musicians, Tony Ivan O’Hara and Jennie Bice, can turn their hand to almost any music genre with ease – often inviting you to join in!
Twin Flames - this duo takes you on a musical journey across Canada and the Arctic, with songs in English, French and Inuktitut 
Jesse Waldman - a West Coast gem who plays a unique blend of blues and folk
Cedric Watson & Jourdan Thibodeaux – authentic Louisiana Cajun and Zydeco music - as good as it gets
Wesli – this Haitian Canadian singer-songwriter is one of Haiti’s most inspiring and celebrated musical ambassadors, blending traditional Haitian rhythms and lyrics with a wide range of styles.
 
Purchase tickets at: http://www.missionfolkmusicfestival.ca/

Tickets are available at Adult, Senior, Student and Youth price levels.
Children 12 and under are free.

Early Bird Weekend Pass ticket pricing is extended until midnight, May 31 ($45-$110 plus tax).
Prices move to Tier 2 for weekend passes on June 1 ($50-$135 plus tax).

Camping charges are additional.

Tier 2 Advance ticket sales go from May 15th through to July 20th, and include one day passes & evening passes at all ticket levels. Prices are higher at the gate.
 
*The Mission Folk Music Festival is situated within the unceded traditional territory of the Kwantlen, Matsqui, and Leq’ a: mel First Nations, among the Stó: lō peoples. Leq’ a: mel, meaning ‘the level place where people meet’, is the origin place of the Halq’ emeylem language. We express our gratitude and respect for the honour of living and working in this territory and producing our festival here.