Stratford Recreation Department
Community Activities

Community Calendar

The Recreation Department serves as editor of the Community Calendar. The Community Organizations Council twice per year publishes the Calendar, in January and August. The Calendar includes information on a wide variety of opportunities open to townspeople to further their learning, to obtain guidance in personal growth, and to find opportunities for the constructive use of their leisure time. The publication is offered to stimulate and encourage more participation and involvement in community activities. It serves as a handy reference.

Black History Month Essay Contest

In collaboration with the Stratford Library Association the South End Community Center will once again be sponsoring a Black History Month Essay contest for Stratford youth.  Categories and themes will be determined for youth ages 5-9 and ages 10-16.  Topics will be distributed in the Stratford Schools, Stratford Library and at the South End Community Center.  Essays must be returned to the South End Community Center in February.  All entries must list the child's name, age, grade, and contact number.  Prizes will be distributed to the top three entries in each age group in February.

Stratford Night at the Movies 

Join us at the Regal Theater on June 11.  The movie TBA.  Tickets will go on sale on May 3 - 28 or until sold out at the Recreation Dept Office at Short Beach Park.  Saturday hours are 9-2 pm and Monday-Friday from 8-4:30 pm.  Tickets are $5 or $4 if you donate canned goods to the South End Community Center Food Pantry.  Tickets are limited to 4 per family. 

Stratford Community Concert Band

The Stratford Community Concert Band was founded in 1961, providing area musicians of all ages and skill levels with a place to rehearse and perform together.  Current members range in age from middle-schoolers to middle-agers, to seniors, and represent a wide variety of professions.  The common bond has always been a love of music.

The band performs annual gazebo concerts on Paradise Green, along with a Holiday concert, with occasional other engagements as they arise.

There are no auditions for membership and there are no fees for music or rehearsals. The only requirements for continuing membership are average performing ability on a standard band instrument and reasonable regularity in attending rehearsals.  Band meets at Stratford High School from 7:30-9:30pm Tuesday evenings. 

To inquire about membership, please contact us at info@stratfordcommunityband.org.

Tentative Concert Dates:

            Tuesday, June 8 7:00pm at Paradise Green (raindate June 15, 7:00pm)

            Tuesday, July 20 7:00pm at Paradise Green (raindate July 22, 7:00pm)

Memorial Day Parade

The Memorial Day Parade is scheduled for May 31. Memorial Services will begin at 1:00 pm on Academy Hill and at 2:15 pm the Parade steps off heading north on Main Street to the reviewing stand at Main Street and Hurd Avenue and ending at Paradise Green. The Stratford VFW organizes the Parade.  Watch for the Mayor's Float. 

Fourth of July Fireworks Display

The Fourth of July Fireworks will be held at Short Beach Park on  July 3. The raindate is July 5. The Atwood Express Band will perform on the Deck at 7:00 p.m.  Lynn Lewis will perform at Gull's Landing Miniature Golf Course at Short Beach Park for the youngsters at 7:30 pm.  There will also be a moonbounce and face painting.  The Fireworks will be at approximately 9:30 pm.
Parking is available within Short Beach Park and at the south parking lot of the Stratford Army Engine Plant.  Handicap Parking is available at the Golf Course Parking Lot.  Bathrooms are available at the Concession Stand, Picnic Area, ballfields and at the golf course.  The concession stand will be open.  The EMS will patrol the park and will have their control center in the parking lot of the golf course.

Summer Concerts on the Green

The Summer Concert Series is held at Paradise Green (unless noted) on the following (tentative) dates. 

Winter Concerts

Paul King with his Big Band Sound will play at the Baldwin Center from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Sunday December TBA. Admission is free and open to the general public. We ask that attendees bring a canned good to be donated to the local food banks.  Concert is sponsored by Health Net, Senior Services and the Recreation Department.

Ash Creek String Band will play the first Sunday March 7 from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the Baldwin Center. The snow date is March 14. Admission is free. 

Playground Carnival

The Carnival is Wednesday August 4 at Boothe Park from 10:00 am - 3:00 p.m. Each year proceeds from the Carnival are donated to a local charity. Rides, games and the playground staff plan special activities for a day of fun and laughter. Admission is $1.  Raindate is August 5.

"In The Spotlight"

This is a joint project with Sterling House and Community Services. It is open to youth in Junior and Senior High School that have an interest in the Dramatic Arts and enjoy performing. Auditions are tentatively set for early April and May. Watch for additional information in the paper. 

In the Spotlight Schedule

Hot Shot Basketball Contest

Hot Shot Contest

Contest participants. Click here to see more!

The Dept. in cooperation with the Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association will sponsor the Hot Shot Contest for boys and girls ages 9-15 on Saturday January 23 from 9-11 am.  Top winners in each division will advance to the County and State levels of competition.  Raindate Sunday January 24 at noon.  Each player will have one minute to shoot from the "hot spots" placed on half the basketball court.  Starting at the center of half court, the players dribble into shooting range and shoot at the designated spots.  The total from three rounds is added together.  The contest challenges a player's speed, shooting, dribbling and rebounding ability.  Three one-minute rounds constitute the duration of play for each participant.  The top scorer in each division will move up to the next level.  The divisions are based on their age before December 31, 2009.  A birth certificate is required.  Registration will be through January 22 at the Recreation Department at Short Beach Park.

Winners for 2010:

 The Sound Tiger Hockey organization in cooperation with the Town will sponsor Stratford Night on Sunday February 21 at 3:00 pm.  The Sound Tigers will face Hartford Wolf Pack at the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport.  Tickets will be discounted for Stratford residents at $17 each (face value $29) and a percentage of the proceeds from the ticket sales will go toward sending a younster to summer camp in Stratford.  Tickets go on sale January 18 at the Recreation Department, South End CC, Sterling House CC and at the Arena.  Please mention Stratford Night when ordering tickets to get special pricing.

Fishing Derby                  419630          Section 42

The Stratford Recreation Department will have a fishing derby on Saturday May 1 at Brewster Pond, located at Longbrook Park. Fee is $5 and registration is required to participate. Registration will be April 5 – April 30.

 

Six Flag/Lake Quassy/Lake Compounce Tickets

The Recreation Department in conjunction with the Connecticut Parks and Recreation Association will be selling discounted tickets to Six Flags, Lake Quassy and Lake Compounce Theme Parks.  Call 385-4052 for more information.

 V.I.T.A. (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program)

The South End Community Center in collaboration with the Internal Revenue Service and other agencies prepare income taxes for individuals in need during tax season.  This program also serves as a financial literacy program encouraging participants to get checking and or savings accounts, repair your credit as well as Earned Income Tax Credit on their returns.  This program runs every Monday at Franklin School from 4-8 pm by appointment only starting Monday in February.  It also runs every Thursday from 6-8 pm and Saturday from 9:30-12:00 pm starting February-April by appointment only at the South End Community Center.

South End Community Food Pantry

The South End Community Center offers emergency food pantry services to Stratford residents on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.  All food pantry participants must show identification and/or proof of Stratford residency.  Emergency food services are also available for those individuals who receive food stamp assistance or come with an agency referral regardless of residency.  Non perishable canned goods and supermarket gift cards are needed.  Call 377-0689 to make arrangements.

South End Community Center Coat Closet

This program provides hats, coats, gloves and socks to individuals in need from October-March.  Interested individuals must stop by the center or get a referral from area agencies to received merchandise from the Coat Closet.  Collaborations have been made with area agencies and businesses to assist us in gathering coats and other items needed for the coat closet.  New or slightly used donations are welcome.  Call 377-0689 to make arrangements.

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