About Celebrate Stratford

Celebrate Stratford is a superb collection of several interesting and unique ways to celebrate everything that's wonderful about the Town of Stratford. From great musical talent, to the wonderful non-profit organizations and businesses in town, to the beautiful and unique natural resources of Stratford, Celebrate Stratford is truly a showcase of "forest to shore" celebrations in the Town of Stratford. We hope you will join us for one or more of these special Stratford events.

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Shakespeare Market

The 1st and 3rd Sundays

of every month

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The Shakespeare Market held on the first and third Sundays of the month from 10 am - 2 pm the grounds of the Shakespeare property are turned into an artisan market featuring food trucks, artists, community partners, and more!

Take a short walk and find Mac's Harbor, the original landing location of Stratford's first European settlers in 1639, Bond's Dock and Fishing Pier - the historical site of Stratford's Oyster houses and famed boxing camp during the first half of the 20th century. Stratford's Historic District, located on Academy Hill, is a short walk and contains homes from 17th, 18th, 19th, (and 20th) century homes.

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Restaurant Week

February 24 - March 2

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Join us for Stratford Restaurant Week, February 24 - March 2, 2024 as local restaurants will offer an assortment of crave-worthy discounts and deals for you to choose from.

Sponsored by:

Visit www.StratfordRestaurantWeek.com

for more info!

Main Street Festival

June 1st

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Main Street Festival

STRATFORD, CT - Rain or shine, the Stratford Main Street Festival is back! Join us on Saturday, June 1st, from 10am to 4pm, on Main Street from Stratford Center to Stratford Avenue. Many thanks to The Milford Bank and the Rotary Club of Stratford for presenting the festival as a community service.

The Main Street Festival is an annual town-wide event celebrating the many organizations, programs, and services the Town of Stratford has to offer, bringing together over 150 local vendors, including entertainment, food trucks, booths, and artists. The event also provides an opportunity for Stratford’s diverse organizations to educate the public about their functions and support fundraising efforts. Vendor booths and trucks will line Main Street, allowing residents to stroll through Stratford Center, embracing the beauty of the town. A DJ and various entertainers will be performing throughout the day.

Please anticipate street closures on Main Street from Church Street to Stratford Avenue.

Summer Concert Series

June 25th-September 3rd

(Rain date following Thursday)

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2024

Summer Concert Series

The Stratford Department of Recreation is excited to announce that the 2024 Summer Sunset Concert Series will kick-off on Tuesday, June 25th. The concerts are performed at the Paradise Green Gazebo on Tuesdays through September 3rd. In the event of inclement weather, concerts will be held the following Thursday. All concerts begin at 7:00pm.

Optimum is the proud sponsor of this Celebrate Stratford Series.

Those attending the Summer Concerts Series are welcome to park in the back of the Stratford Baptist Church at 131 Huntington Rd. The church asks that attendees keep off the grass at the church. We thank the Stratford Baptist Church for providing this accommodation.

Stratford Fireworks

Tuesday July 2nd

(Rain date Friday July 5th)

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Stratford Fireworks

Mayor Laura R. Hoydick announced today that Stratford’s Annual Independence Day Fireworks display will be held Tuesday, July 2nd, at Short Beach. The display will begin at sundown, approximately 9:00 p.m. The rain date will be Friday, July 5th. The Stratford Fireworks are sponsored by IBEW Local 488.

Parking will be available at Short Beach Park. After 4pm, you must have a Stratford resident sticker to enter Short Beach Park. If you are a Stratford resident and do not have a current Stratford resident parking sticker, there is still time. Please visit https://www.stratfordct.gov/recreation. Overflow parking will be available at the Army Engine lot, just north of the Atlantic Aviation hangers.

TRAFFIC FLOW FOR THE FIREWORKS EVENT

All traffic exiting the Army Engine lot will be directed North on Main St.
Vehicles exiting Short Beach will be directed to use both lanes of Dorne Dr. to exit the parking lot. NO TRAFFIC WILL GO NORTH onto Stratford Rd/Main St.
The north or right lane (blue arrow) will be directed to up to Stratford Rd then left onto Stratford Road, then right on to Prospect Dr, then left on Oak Bluff and finally turn right on Lordship Blvd.
The South or left lane (red arrow) will be directed to turn left on Short Beach Rd. Right on Lighthouse Avenue. Right on Prospect Dr, left on Stratford Rd. Straight on Lordship Blvd in the EASTBOUND lane of Lordship Blvd.
Residents will be allowed to enter Lordship until the start of the Fireworks. At the end of the event, Lordship Blvd will be closed to eastbound traffic from Access Rd to Oak Bluff Ave until traffic flow returns to normal.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Lordship Residents, there may be some delays driving into Lordship after the Fireworks show ends and until traffic exiting Short Beach Park returns to normal. It is strongly advised that Lordship residents and anyone looking to come into Lordship plan accordingly. Road closures are anticipated to last from 8:45pm to 10:30pm on July 2nd (July 5th rain date).

Golf Carts are not permitted at Short Beach Park after 4pm. For more information please visit: https://www.stratfordctpd.com/Docs/GolfCartApplication_fillable.pdf
Pets are not allowed on Town beaches May through October.
Bicycles must be walked through beach property.
The wearing of full-face masks, such as ski masks, is prohibited.

Blues on the Beach

July 20th

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Blues on the Beach

ANNUAL “BLUES ON THE BEACH” CELEBRATION SET FOR

SAT. JULY 20th

12pm - 9pm

Short Beach

STRATFORD - Stratford is set for the return of its annual "Blues on the Beach" summer music festival, which has become an increasingly popular summer ritual for the coastal town. The event will take place at Short Beach on Saturday, July 20th, from 12:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Blues is part of the Stratford Celebrate Festivals and is run by volunteer Erin McLaughlin. Blues on the Beach is sponsored by Little Pub and Burns Construction.

As with last year, Short Beach will close at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 19th, the evening before the festival, to accommodate stage set-up for Saturday's events. The Short Beach Golf Course will be closed the entire day on Saturday, July 20th. Residents attending "Blues on the Beach" are asked to note the following:

Only Town Residents will be allowed to park at Short Beach. Stratford resident stickers are required to park at Short Beach.
Beach access will be closed on Friday, July 19th at 7:00 p.m., so preparations can be made.
Parking for the public will begin at 9:30 a.m.
Bicycles are allowed but must be walked in the park area per Stratford Police Department.
Golf Cart parking is allowed in a designated area - see map below for entrance/exit and parking.
No dogs or pets are allowed at the beach.
Cooking with charcoal is prohibited. Propane grills are permitted with tanks smaller than 20lbs.
A pickup and drop-off area for Ubers and children or family members has been designated at
Wayne's Walk at the intersection of Riverdale Drive and Lighthouse Ave in Lordship.
Trash from attendees must fit inside of the BigBelly compacting receptacles available on site.
Bagged garbage should be placed in dumpsters and not be left beside receptacles.
Overflow parking will be available at the Army Engine lot, just north of the Atlantic Aviation hangers.
Wearing full masks, such as ski-masks, is prohibited.

Sponsored By:

Click Here for more information

LINE UP OF PERFORMING BANDS:

12pm - Uncle Moose

1pm - Marcy and the Boys

2pm - Louis Zayas Encore Band

3pm - Oddfellows

4pm - Soundview

5pm - One Sound

6pm - Da Band

7pm - Residual Groove

8pm - Chris D'Amato

Latin Music Festival

September 15

(Rain Date September 22nd)

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Latin Music Festival

The Town of Stratford and the Stratford Hispanic Heritage Committee are proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month at the 19th annual Latin Music Festival, sponsored by the Stratford Economic & Community Development Commission. The popular event is scheduled for Sunday, September 15th from 12pm to 6pm, with a rain date of September 22nd. The event will take place on Paradise Green. The celebration continues on September 16th at 9am with the Hispanic Heritage flag raising ceremony on the steps of Town Hall, 2725 Main Street.

Event Schedule:

11:45am DJ Edgar

12:15pm Opening Remarks

12:45pm Parade of Flags of Hispanic Countries

1:15pm DJ Edgar

1:40pm Ballet Folklorico Dominicano

2:00pm Latin Rhythm Dancers

2:25pm Stratford Shotokan Karate Demonstration

2:45pm To Be Confirmed

3:30pm Orquesta Afinke - Salsa band

4:15pm Danza Fiesta - NYC-based Puerto Rican folkloric dance company

5:15pm Orquesta Afinke - Salsa band

This celebration of Latin culture will showcase performances by notable Latin bands and professional folkloric dance groups. This year the festival welcomes the Emmy nominated performing troupe, Danza Fiesta. The festival will feature over 45 vendors, including food trucks, arts and crafts booths and community organizations. This year’s theme is Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together, which recognizes Hispanics/Latinos who have been trailblazers and game changers and paving the way for future generations. The festival kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month, which is celebrated from September 15th through October 15th.

Parking is available at Adzima Funeral Home at 50 Paradise Green Place, M&T Bank at 3395 Main Street and the Stratford Unitarian Universalist Church at 275 Huntington Road. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to enjoy the festivities. Please note tents are permitted for registered vendors only.

More information can be found at

facebook.com/StratfordHispanicHeritage

Great Pumpkin Festival

October 19, 2024

(Rain Date October 20)

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The Great Pumpkin Festival

The Town of Stratford and the Boothe Park Commission are happy to announce the 2024 Great Pumpkin Festival. Sponsored by Comcast, the event is scheduled for Saturday, October 19th from 12pm to 4pm. In the event of inclement weather, the event will take place on Sunday, October 20th from 12pm to 4pm. The popular festival will take place on Stratford’s historic Boothe Memorial Park at 5800 Main Street.

Attendees can look forward to circus acts, face painting, a costume parade and contest, a pumpkin carving contest, an inflatable corn maze and more. The many historic and unique buildings on the Boothe Park property will be open to the public. A variety of civic organizations, together with the Boothe Park Commission, will be offering fall-themed treats. Cash and Venmo are accepted methods of payment.

Parking is available on the field adjacent to the Railway Society. Pumpkin Carving Contest registration closes at 4pm on October 11th.