Canada Day celebrations

Well, it's that time of year...again. Time to celebrate living in one of the greatest nations in the world! While there are many celebrations going on July 1st across Canada, unfortunately, I can't be at all of them, but there are a couple worth mentioning.
Stratford is hosting its 10th annual festivities for Canada Day on July 1st. The celebration will take place the entire day and there will be something for everyone, especially for the kids. This is important, because if the kids aren't happy, neither are you! There will be free face painting, clowns, children's games and a lot of food. Also worth mentioning is the entertainment - Stephen Page, formerly of the Barenaked Ladies, will be taking part in the celebrations. Don't forget the fireworks!
New Hamburg (my new hometown) has phenomenal Canada Day celebrations and when I say there is something for everyone, there REALLY is. The festivities run all day into the evening. There will be the classic annual Rubber Duck race, games, sports, entertainment (for the kids, this includes Erick Traplin), a concert, demonstrations, a beer tent, loads of food and of course, the giant fireworks display. This is perhaps the best part of the whole day and when you watch the fireworks, it gives you a great sense of patriotism. Last year was our first year watching them and we only had to go down to the end of our street to see the entire display fully. For a small town, I must say this display is the best I have ever seen anywhere. Not only that, but it brings some of the neighbours out of their homes to mingle. What could be better for Canada Day than that?

Plays at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival

Being from Stratford, Ontario, I feel it necessary to mention a few of the plays currently being shown at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival and its affiliated theatres. People often ask me if I go to see any of the plays or if I frequent the Festival because I come from Stratford and currently live nearby. The answer is "no". Not for lack of wanting to, however, but with 3 kids and hardly any time on my hands, I don't get much of a chance! That, and, it doesn't hold the same appeal for me as for someone who lives far away. If you lived in Toronto, how often would you visit the CN Tower? Anyhow, here is some information about 3 of the plays showing at the Festival...
The Tempest is showing June 11, 2010 to September 12th. Christopher Plummer plays the role of Prospero, a man marooned on an island with his daughter, Miranda, allowing him to work on his magic. He is able to raise a storm at sea, thereby putting within his grasp his enemies who robbed him of his dukedom. The play analyzes the desire for revenge as well as the demand for love and whether or not man can create a brave new world.
Evita, playing from May 28th to October 30th, is a story about Eva Duarte, who overcomes poverty in rural Argentina to become the first mistress and then the popular wife of President Juan Peron. This is a modern musical detailing how a woman helped shaped history. There are a variety of latin, jazz and rock rhythms throughout the show that has won many awards for best musical. Evita is broadly suitable for all ages, but keep in mind that there is mature content and some use of strong language.
Peter Pan, showing June 12th to October 31st will interest adults as well as children. Peter Pan flies in through a nursery window to take Wendy, Michael and John away to a magical land with fairies, mermaids and warrior maidens. It is here that Peter Pan must face his arch enemy, Captain Hook. The play is suitable for those 4 and up.
Of course, there are more plays for the 2010 season at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, but I will only cover so many today...stay tuned to hear about more!

More upcoming Stratford and Area events

In addition to the events I have already listed, there are a few more worth noting for this upcoming week or so. On Monday, June 14th, the Alzheimer's Society Annual Golf Tournament will be taking place at the Stratford Country Club. This a large fundraiser for the Stratford chapter of the Alzheimer's Society, so feel free to donate in any way you can...enter a team, donate a prize, donate cash or sponsor a hole! The cost is $125 for non-members and $105 for Country Club members. Lunch will begin at 11:30 am and 1:00 pm is the shot gun start time! For more information, please contact (519) 271-1910 or mevans@wightman.ca.
The Milverton Dodge Rodeo will take place this year from June 18th - June 20th. The festivities will begin Friday with a rodeo parade and family video dance party. Don't miss Jason Gerber,the 2009 CMT Karaoke star! Saturday, there will be a farmers market and sidewalk sales. Of course, there will be live rodeo action all weekend long! The rodeo dance will take place Saturday night beginning at 9 pm.
Last, but definitely not least, a benefit dance for Mike Bitton will take place on Saturday, June 19th at the Listowel Memorial Arena starting at 8 pm. The Listowel native has spent a lot of time in an American hospital after being hit by a vehicle riding his bike. 3 local acts will perform for the dance - ZAMM, Moneyshot and Jim 'n' Tonic. Donations are accepted.

Upcoming events around Stratford

Are you looking for something to do over the next couple of weeks? In Shakespeare, June 12th, the Shakespeare and Community Athletic Association is hosting its 63rd annual Field Day and Fish Fry beginning at 8 am. There will be a breakfast starting at 8 am, a soap box derby, parade, midway, fireworks and much more. The Fish Fry will take place at 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. If you are looking for tickets in advance, they are $15 for adults and $7 for kids 6-12. You'll find them by calling (519) 625-8984 or by visiting locales such as Rosemarie's Family Restaurant, Bright's Cheese Factory Outlet Store, the Shakespeare ESSO or Your Neighbourhood Credit Union. At the the door, tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children. Sounds like a day of fun!
You can also check out the Stratford Farmer's Market. Running every Wednesday starting June 16th from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and every Saturday from 7 a.m. until noon, visitors can find a large selection of items such as produce, meat and dairy, flowers, crafts and bakery products. This is a great outing for the family and kids!
Another item of interest...St.Mary's Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is hosting a celebrity baseball game on the evening of Thursday, June 17th starting at 6:30 pm. Celebrities present will include Roberto Alomar, Fergie Jenkins, Linda Ruth Tosetti (Babe Ruth's granddaughter!), Miss Canada International, Steve Rogers and Paul Quantrill. For more information, call (519) 284-1838. Don't miss Team Alomar vs. Team Quantrill!

Stratford's New Blues and Ribs Festival

I read with interest not long ago that Stratford will be hosting its first annual Kinsmen Blues and Ribs Festival this month on June 26th from 2 p.m. to midnight at the William Allman Arena. Stratford is, in my opinion, a great place to hold an event like this! The event will feature local and legendary jazz and blues musicians such as Widemouth Mason, Bill Durst, Mike Branton, Jordan John and the Blues Angels, Chuck Jackson and a few others.
The person responsible for the idea is Prakash John, a Rock and Roll hall of fame bass player who has played for bands like Alice Cooper, Prince, James Brown and Lou Reed. His band, Jordan John and the Blues Angels, played in Stratford last September and John, enlisting the help of others, decided Stratford would be a great location to host such an event.
The Blues and Ribs Festival is an all ages event and tickets are $30 at the door or $25 in advance, available at Filsinger's, Earthwinds, Anything Grows and Needles. You can also buy tickets at ticketwindow.ca or by calling 1-877-700-3130. Ribs will be provided by Tango Cafe and Grill and Foster's Inn. Come one, come all...rain or shine!