Stratford is a city on the Avon River
within Perth County in southwestern Ontario, Canada, with a 2016
population of 31,465 in a land area of 28.28 square kilometres
(10.92 sq mi). Stratford is the seat of Perth County, which was
settled by English, Irish, Scottish and German immigrants, in almost
equal numbers, starting in the 1820s but primarily in the 1830s and
1840s. Most became farmers; even today, the area around Stratford is
known for mixed farming, dairying and hog production.
The area was settled in 1832, and the town and river were named
after Stratford-upon-Avon, England. Stratford was incorporated as a
town in 1859 and as a city in 1886. The first mayor was John Corry
Wilson Daly. The swan has become a symbol of the city. Each year
twenty-four white swans are released into the Avon River. The town
is noted for the Stratford Festival, which performs Shakespearean
plays and other genres from May to October.
The city of Stratford is best known
for its Shakespeare theatre festival. When the pandemic forced the
cancellation of the 2020 season, throwing thousands of people out of
work, the city's prescient policy of pursuing high tech
opportunities helped keep the lights on.
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