Locally known and world famous
Character
Not only is Stratford the centre of great things for commerce and industry, it’s also a great place to live, work and play. The globalization of markets and advances in communication and transportation give businesses increasing flexibility in choosing a preferred location – which puts Stratford at the top of your list.
Stratford offers a unique combination of small town quiet and safety, convenient public amenities, a big city lifestyle and an internationally renowned cultural scene. Our rich 177 years of history has been consciously maintained and cultivated, seen for instance in the abundance and continuity of Victorian architecture throughout the City – not only in the downtown area, but in the number of walk-able neighbourhoods, where visitors are frequently greeted with a smile.
The downtown brims with quaint and unusual boutiques that have characterized Stratford as “a shopping paradise”. Our growing café culture and a range of restaurants & inns regularly garner praise among Canadian, U.S. and international visitors and media outlets.
Activity
Just a block from the picturesque downtown, the AVON RIVER and surrounding parklands stretch across the centre of the City, with award-winning public gardens that are the envy of centres many times our size. In fact, Stratford boasts the largest park area per capita of any City in Canada. There are more than 1,000 acres of groomed parkland with thousands of annuals planted in approximately 100 flowerbeds throughout the City. Spaces to walk, play, jog or picnic are always mere steps from any front door.
If organized sports are more to your liking, you’ll enjoy the wide variety of recreational facilities maintained by the COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT. Stratford supports more than 400 sports teams involving more than 8,000 athletes. Stratford’s minor hockey programme has produced several top athletes for the National Hockey League. We are also home to current and prior Olympians and the newly-founded Stratford Sports wall of Fame acknowledging our part in the Canadian forum of sport.
Culture
Stratford is renowned around the world as the home of the STRATFORD SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL, which began in 1953. The theatre season, which originally lasted six weeks under a tent, expanded over the years to 27 weeks of evening and matinee performances, from spring to autumn, in four distinctive theatre spaces and formats. Over 500,000 visitors a year witness unsurpassed repertory theatre by world-famous directors and iconic actors. In addition to the performances, the Festival opens its doors to the community and visitors with seminars, workshops and behind-the-scenes tours, including; opportunities to meet members of the acting company, production and administrative staff.
Residents and visitors alike have a variety of other cultural facilities to enjoy, such as GALLERY STRATFORD, housed in a Victorian water utility building near the main Festival theatre, where year-round exhibits instill an appreciation for the arts. There are several other galleries around the City, including studios where local artists welcome visitors into their creative environments.
The STRATFORD PERTH MUSEUM features exhibits on the urban and agricultural development of the area. Several collections provided by local residents are on display and knowledgeable staff are available to guide you through the museum and recount the lives of Stratford’s residents. In addition, they provide educational programming throughout the year with school visits.
Stratford is also home to 29 churches devoted to a wide variety of faiths, denominations and affiliations. These congregations contribute immeasurably to the health of the community through service provision and charitable giving.
Service Clubs
Stratford has a variety of service clubs that work together to make this City an enjoyable and civic-minded municipality.
Stratford’s major clubs include:
- Kinsmen Club
- Kiwanis Club
- Lions Club
- Rotary Club
- United Way of Perth-Huron
- Big Brothers & Big Sisters
- Stratford & District Chamber of Commerce
- Zonta Club
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