Drake can be explored through three specific themes: camping in City Park, honoring veterans, and the history of the milling industry. The Drake Threshing Show, a tradition held after Labor Day, adds another. You can tailor your stay to different interests—your type of accommodation, local history, or an event date.
Camping at Drake City Park
Drake City Park offers tent camping, twelve RV sites with electrical hookups, and a dump station. Tent camping and RV sites are listed separately; the electrical hookups are specifically for the RV sites. This distinction can help you choose the right type of camping. The park also has picnic shelters with tables, restrooms, and playground equipment. So, in addition to camping options, the park has facilities for taking a break. Check the details before your trip, as facilities may change.
Veterans’ Remembrance and Local History
The All Veterans Memorial was dedicated on May 28, 1989, in Drake City Park as part of Drake’s Memorial Day observance. The date connects the memorial with a specific local occasion for remembrance. Drake Cemetery also has an American Legion burial plot for American veterans. The first person buried there was the first resident of Drake and McHenry County to be killed in action in World War I. The dedication in the park and the burial at the cemetery reflect two distinct aspects of local remembrance: a shared commemoration and the story of an early wartime loss.
The history of milling also follows a clear sequence of events. A flour mill in Drake was initially purchased to establish the North Dakota Mill. It closed in 1924 because it was unprofitable. Unlike the memorial sites, this episode tells the story of an economic initiative and its end; it complements the military history with a connection to milling and agriculture.
Threshing Show and Seasonal Planning
The Drake Threshing Show is a tradition held after Labor Day; the first event took place in the late 1960s. For 2026, the 58th annual show was scheduled for September 12 and 13 at the Drake Threshing Grounds. These specific dates apply to the 2026 edition and are not a permanent event date. If you would like to include the show in a future trip, check the dates announced at that time. This way, you can plan around the actual event date rather than relying on a date from a previous year.
Nature and Other Interests
The Central Dakota Birding Drive, which includes Drake and Anamoose, offers a nature-related point of interest. For those interested in birdwatching, it provides another focus alongside camping, memorial history, and agriculture. These different themes can be considered as options when planning your trip: the park offers a camping experience, the historic sites provide insight into local history, and the Threshing Show adds a special seasonal highlight.
For the broader travel overview: McHenry County.
