Arts & Entertainment

Great Stratford Bird Festival Will Return for 4th Year Sept. 30 - Oct. 2

The Waterfront Harbor Management Commission will again run a scenic boat tour along the Housatonic River during the Bird Festival.

The Great Stratford Bird Festival will be back for its 4th year in 2011 and will be held from Friday, Sept. 30 through Sunday, Oct. 2 at various sites throughout town. 

“The Festival is dedicated to raising the awareness of the many natural resources abounding in the Town of Stratford, particularly birds,” according to the official web site of the event.

Among the highlights of past festivals include displays of decoy carving, which has long been a part of Stratford's heritage, art displays, field trips, expert speakers and more. The 2010 event was co-chaired by Phil Donahue. 

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And at its March meeting, Waterfront Harbor Management Commission (WHMC) members signaled their intention to again run a scenic boat tour along the Housatonic River during the Bird Festival as they did in 2010.

WHMC Commission Chairman Bill Rock noted that the boat tours that ran on several days were “very successful last year and we hope to build on it this year.”

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WHMC member Patrick Gribbon, also a member of the Bird Festival committee, agreed that the 2010 Festival “was a good opportunity” for the commission to showcase Stratford’s varied coast and river shoreline. Gribbon added that “our boat guy is down in Florida” and if it proves that he is unavailable this coming year then “we will look for people with other boats.” 

Rock added, “we accomplished what we wanted to accomplish … in showcasing things on the river,” including “some of the projects we are involved in.” He noted that the commission had an opportunity to show residents aspects of “things from the water that they may never have seen before,” which created “good will” and a sense of appreciation for the natural resources the town enjoys. 

Gribbon said activities will again take place on the gun club property on Stratford Point near the lighthouse, Birdseye boat ramp and Long Beach among other locations.

Rock noted that the WHMC would set up a display, too, and Gribbon invited WHMC members interested in the Bird Festival to contact him. 

Members of the last year’s Bird Festival committee included: Karen Rodia, David Wright, Adam Bauer, Meg Barone, Milan Bull, Mark Calzone, Brian Carey, Patrick Comins,  Gregg Dancho, Mary Dean, Gribbon, Denise Nelson, David Killeen, Jo-Ann McCann, William McCann, Kimberly Meuse, Pat Patusky, Joe Rizzo, Don Schuler, Ed Soderberg, Sherri Szymanski, Joe Vecsey and Randy Vidal.


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