17 Canadian Cities to Visit in 2017
Jennifer Cuellar+ January 4, 2017

https://travelblog.expedia.ca/17-canadian-cities-visit-2017/

It’s a new year and we hope you put “travel more” on the top of your to-do list. It’s 2017, the 150th anniversary of the country, and there are dozens of places hosting celebrations, unique festivals, and award-winning attractions. Each destination on this list caught our attention with a little something special. Whether it be standout cuisine or fresh adventures, making the most of this noteworthy year starts with trying something new. In no particular order, here are the 17 Canadian cities you must visit in 2017.

Stratford, Ontario

What to See: Learn about the history of fashion and society at the upcoming “Fashion History: Clothing & Society” session, hosted by Stratford Perth Museum. For more artist expression, don’t miss Gallery Stratford and the famous Stratford Gardens.

Places to Eat: Enjoy seasonal suds from Black Swan Brewing or sustainable seafood from Pazzo. The Stratford Chef School also offers dinners, if you want to try innovative flavours from new chefs.

Where to Stay: Located in the heart of town with a top-notch restaurant on the street level, Mercer Hall is a perfect home base on your holiday.

When to Go: May through October is the most popular time to travel to Stratford, as Art in the Park takes advantage of the sunny weather and the Stratford Festival showcases works from Shakespeare.

Insider Tip: “The Stratford Festival (North America’s largest for classical theatre), is the main reason people visit Stratford. In fact 95% of visitors come because of the Festival, where they can see some of the finest theatre in the world. It attracts half a million people a year – more than 27 million in its 64-year-history. With 14 productions in four theatres each season, the Festival features works by Shakespeare, other classics, musicals and new plays. Christopher Plummer, William Shatner, Maggie Smith and Colm Feore are among the many great actors who have appeared on its stages.” – Stratford Festival

In September, students from Romeo Public School visited artists at Art in the Park.
http://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/2016/09/15/art-in-the-park-captivates-local-students
Art In The Park captivates local students
Steve Rice

By Steve Rice, Stratford Beacon Herald

Thursday, September 15, 2016 9:37:39 EDT AM
Artist Kim McCarthy describes her work to Romeo Public School pupils including Jordan Aikman, Caydence Knights, Maya Law and Grace Kokkas during their trip to Art in the Park on Wednesday. (SCOTT WISHART/The Beacon Herald)

“Amazing,” exclaimed eight-year-old Jordan Aikman.

“For my first time here, I am loving it!” enthused Caydence Knights, 10.

The two girls were experiencing Art In The Park for the first time on Wednesday afternoon, along with two dozen classmates from Joan Dixon’s Grade 4-5 class at Romeo Public School.

The short field trip was just the start of a project that will see the students return to the Lakeside Drive location at a later date to interview one of the artists and find out who they are, what inspires them and why they show their work each week in Stratford.

“I wanted to expose the students to different artists and find out what their passions and interests are, (to learn) that all sorts of people can be artists and that there are artists right here in Stratford,” said Dixon. “And I want them to believe in themselves as artists.”

Dixon planned the trip while visiting Art In The Park this summer and meeting up with encaustic artist Kim McCarthy, who retired to Stratford after teaching in the Toronto area for 30 years.

“As a retired teacher it just sang to my heart when she talked to me,” McCarthy said Wednesday between answering questions from inquisitive students. “I think it’s fantastic to get young people out here and aware of what we’re doing.

“People come from all over the world to experience Stratford and sometimes we don’t take advantage of what our own community is offering us.”

Only a few minutes into Wednesday’s visit Jordan had chosen her favourite artist, who she was hoping to interview on Sunday.

“The animals he painted look so real – I don’t know how he did it,” she said.

Her friend Kirsten Drepaul, 9 – also visiting Art In The Park for the first time — said she really liked the colourful art and could envision herself becoming an artist.

Caydence paints, draws and takes photos at home and was having difficulty choosing which artist to interview. But she said part of the exercise was to meet the artists, “see why they want to do that, and get the courage to do art and to show it.”

While the focus Wednesday was on art, the trip also continued the school’s practice of making connections within the community to help the students learn. The lessons on this trip, like others, would be threaded throughout different parts of the curriculum, Dixon said.

“Our focus for the next few months is building community so we’re trying to have our students understand the importance of being an active member in our community,” she said. “We start within our classroom and making it a better place. Then our school, Stratford, Perth County.

“Even when you’re only 10 years old, you can still make a difference.”

srice@postmedia.comt Art in the Park.
http://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/2016/09/15/art-in-the-park-captivates-local-students