Mapleton Elementary School held its annual field day on June 6.
The first activity of the day was the fourth annual running of the Mapleton Mile 2026 at the school. The run was a fundraiser for Caring Area Neighbors for Cancer Education and Recovery. The School and the organization have partnered for 15 years in many smaller projects, but the Mapleton Mile has dramatically expanded the fundraising effort.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
Principal Duprey praised the students and their families for raising funds to help patients and families who are going through treatment to receive the help they need.
“This community rallies to support those in need,” he said. “The commitment here is phenomenal, and once again my hat is off to such a supportive community for a hugely successful event.”
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
Through the support of students, staff, family members and friends, this year the Mapleton Mile 2026 raised more than $10,000 for the C-A-N-C-E-R organization. Over the past four years, the students and school have raised $44,000 for the cause.
Accepting the gift on behalf of the organization were Barry Madore and Sue Nickerson.
From the 1980s, the Mapleton Elementary School Field Day has been a highlight of the school year, but the addition of the Mapleton Mile and the tremendous fundraising with it have made the field day a spectacular event.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
Fifth grade promotion
On Wednesday, June 10, 28 students received diplomas as an indication of their readiness to move to the sixth grade at Presque Isle Middle School.
The students received their promotional diplomas and academic and grade 5 Citizenship Awards as they prepared to step up this coming fall. Following the awarding of diplomas, a grade 5 slide show reviewing the students’ past year was shown. Students, parents, family members and staff enjoyed the look back over the year.
After the awarding of diplomas, the graduates and their family members quickly changed clothes for a special class event: climbing Haystack Mountain. Everyone enjoyed the climb up Haystack. On their return to the school, the students and their parents were treated to a hot dog roast put on by the Presque Isle Elks Club.
The day proved to be a very special day for graduates and their families as well as the Mapleton School staff.
Daze In 5 days
The Town of Mapleton is getting ready for the 37th annual Mapleton Daze. Here is a partial schedule of the activities at the 2026 edition of Mapleton Daze.
Monday will kick off with the opening of Mapleton’s newest restaurant, The Maple Den, and a pool party at the community pool from 6 to 8 p.m. Everyone is welcome regardless of age.
On Tuesday at Mapleton Elementary School, a “drive-in” style screening of the movie “Cars” will combine with a fundraiser for new playground equipment. Prizes for the best decorated cardboard cars will be given.
Wednesday at the school, participants can enjoy bounce houses, slides, an obstacle course, a rock wall, human whack-a-mole and a mechanical bull. Live music and food will be available.
Game Night will return to the Mapleton Elementary School Thursday with Bingo and a cribbage tournament. There is no admission to the Bingo Game. Cribbage will begin at 6 p.m. and there is a small entry fee.
On Friday, a chicken barbecue starts at 4:30 p.m. at the Mapleton Lions Hall accompanied by the Mapleton Methodist Women’s homemade pies. Dinners may be enjoyed at the hall or taken to go. Children meals will be available.
A cornhole tournament starts at Mapleton Elementary School at 6 p.m., along with a ball pit. Food vendors will be on site. Star City Syndicate plays at 7 p.m. and fireworks will start at dusk, around 9 p.m.
Saturday starts with a 7 a.m. breakfast on Haystack Mountain. Free breakfast sandwiches with drinks will be provided starting at 7:30 a.m. next to the post office. The Haystack Historical Society open at 10 a.m. with homemade pie and ice cream. The children’s bike parade and larger parade will start at 10 a.m.
At 11 a.m., Mapleton Elementary School will host food vendors, face painting, touch-a-truck, bouncy houses, demonstrations, games, petting zoo, horse rides, bike giveaway raffles and more
A street dance will be held that evening with Highway 207 and Train Wreck playing live dance music. A beer garden will be available as well.
Sunday will feature a morning ATV trail ride, and at 6 p.m. the new County Gospel Choir will sing at the Mapleton Baptist Church.
For more information, visit the Mapleton Daze Facebook page.
Terry Sandusky is The County’s correspondent for Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill and can be reached at 764-4916 or at starherald.Tsandusky@gmail.com.
