July 1 - A Time for Celebration

My Stratford is a place that loves to party.

Canada Day dawned bright and sunny with a cool crisp breeze. On Market Square, behind the City Hall, a tent city quickly took shape. A stage and sound system were set up, vendors arrived, banners were strung, the scent of delicious food filled the air, and hundreds of volunteers donned red T-shirts and took their places. As noon hour approached the square began to fill with people.










By the time we arrived at 12:15, the place was bustling and we were lucky to find a seat under one of the huge shade tents that had been set up.

Bronze stars were presented to the four citizens being honoured this year...Peter Mansbridge and Cynthia Dale by the city, Christopher Plummer and John Hirsch by the theatre. You will find the stars of former recipients embedded in the pavement on various streets around town. A spirit of communal festivity reigned as entertainment packages from Judy's Dancers, a Jazz trio, Emm Gryner and Steven Page were interspersed with greetings and a lively banter from CJCS radio host Ethan Rabidoux.



Shortly after 5:00 the crowd dispersed to get ready for the parade and evening festivities at the SERC site, culminating with another amazing fireworks show. The planning committee outdid themselves this year. Thank you for all the hours that went into the party!