Media Release: Town of Stratford Invites Residents to Celebrate Fall Fest 2023 (September 15, 2023)
For Immediate Release: September 15, 2023
The Town of Stratford is excited to announce its 2023 Fall Fest celebrations at Cotton Park from September 22 to 24. This year’s event promises an array of fun-filled activities for residents of all ages and interests, including a 1km lit trail that visitors can enjoy from dusk to 9pm and a free movie screening in the Youth Room from 6:30pm each night.
The weekend starts with family-friendly activities and performances to entertain visitors. Guests can enjoy performers like The Jogglers Busker, Tunes and Tall Tales, Music Man Michael Pendergast, and more. Join the fun! All events taking place in the Market Tent are free.
Stratford Youth Centre’s Fun Fair will run from 1pm to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. This two-day event will be a family highlight again this year with activities including inflatables, mini golf, face painting, balloon twisting, dunk tank, and more. Families can purchase a bracelet or individual tickets for the Par-T-Perfect Fun Zone and other select activities, with proceeds going to the Stratford Youth Centre. There will also be a canteen on site on both days.
Saturday will also include the Cheryl Duffy Memorial Walk at 9am at Cotton Park. The walk is a tribute to Cheryl Duffy, a dedicated supporter of the Stratford Youth Centre and a community champion. The Memorial Walk is a way to remember her contributions and celebrate her enduring impact on the community. All funds raised will go towards supporting Stratford Youth Centre initiatives.
This year, the Town is also introducing two new events, both taking place on Saturday. The first, called ‘Murmured Futures,’ is a thought-provoking and creative event that encourages participants to explore the impacts and devastation caused by storm events and climate change through poetic exploration.
“The climate is changing, and we all know that now. Hurricane Fiona blew away any remaining illusion that we are safe from the effects of global warming,” said PEI Poet Laureate Tanya Davis. “We need to consider our actions and we need to take care of each other; strong communities help us navigate challenges and find creative solutions. Join us as we gather and celebrate what we have and what we love, make art and food and music, and share joy.”
Recognizing how special it is to create joyful and thoughtful forward momentum, local artist Jessica Winton will offer a unique print to participants in gratitude and as a memento for their participation. “It is a great honour to be creating a moving artwork together with Tanya Davis for the people, the trees, bushes, and the shoreline in Stratford,” commented Jessica Winton. “We will carry the words of the poem, wearing work gloves and vests from the Town, and move purposefully together as a short procession on Saturday.”
Anyone interested in taking part in the moving poem can sign up on the Town’s website, with rehearsals taking place on Friday 22nd at 5:30pm.
The second event, also taking place on Saturday, is the ‘Human Library,’ a collaboration between the Town’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee and the Stratford Public Library. “Imagine a library where books are people, and reading is a conversation,” said Mayor Ogden. “It is an opportunity for our community to engage in meaningful conversations and learn from one another’s diverse stories.”
The Human Library will offer “human books” to “readers,” providing a safe space for these living books to share their unique life experiences. Residents are encouraged to pre-book, as a limited number of walk-ins will be available. All “book titles and summaries” are available on the Town’s website.
The Town of Stratford invites everyone to come and be part of the Town of Stratford’s 2023 Fall Fest Celebrations at Cotton Park. It is a weekend filled with entertainment, reflection, and community spirit. For more information on the event schedule, please visit our website at www.townofstratford.ca or join the Facebook event page.
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For more information please contact:
Jade Veera, Engagement and Research Coordinator
Phone: (902) 367-5347
Email: [email protected]
Printable version: Media Release Town of Stratford Invites Residents to Celebrate Fall Fest 2023 (September 15, 2023)
Stratford Youth Centre: Media Release 2023 Cheryl Duffy Memorial Walk
Fall Fest 2023 Flyer