Day 1
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after weekending in Toronto, we pick up rental car and drive to Stratford go
Traffic and construction slow us, but ride through small towns and pretty farm country makes the ride pleasant.
noon arrive Stratford
Lovely 19th century city – impressive court house and city hall, tree lined streets, flower baskets, river Avon. Meet Cathy Rehberg for our itinerary and bag lunches. Emily Chandler takes us sightseeing to familiarize us with the downtown area.
1 pm Drive out to the countryside to meet and tour farms of several stars of this rich culinary region:
Luann Erb/Erbcroft Farms go A small producer of Muscovy duck, chicken and duck eggs, lamb and turkey, Luann and her family are among the new crop of farmers. They raise their healthy food by growing only non-GMO corn to feed their gently raised animals.
Antony John/Soiled Reputation go aka “Manic Organic” by friends, has grown organic greens and vegetables for 20 years. Supplier to local chefs. Turkey compost and alfalfa green manure used to maintain soil fertility. Underground tile system drains fields. Soil and water tested annually to assure quality. Encourages fox and coyotes to limit ground hogs. Birdwatcher and songster with a CD sold internationally.
Fred de Martines/Perth Pork Products go Fred and his family raise heritage pork, wild boar and cross breeds on a well cared for family farm surrounded by feed crops. Their wild boar are pasture raised in field and forest conditions much as in the wilds of Europe. Outdoors year-round, boars use bales of straw for shelter and birthing while foraging for naturally occurring foods. Farm grown corn and grains supplement their winter diet. They also get treats – black walnuts, soy and kelp. Quaint on-site market but most product sold in Province of Ontario.
6 pm dinner Pazzo Ristorante Bar & Pizzeria go
This street level ristorante with a relaxed modern setting has a great bar. The exceptional menu prepared by multiple graduates of the Stratford Chef school, including head chef Sean Collins, uses local ingredients. A la carte menu, but the Field to Chef $40 prix fixe dinner is amazing. We pair with the local beer.
7:30 pm see Merry Wives of Windsor Stratford Shakespeare Festival Opening Night go Festival Theatre go
Quite a show: bagpipers march and play, red carpet, dignitaries, performers, celebrities, paparazzi and press.
Festival Theater Stratford ‘s flagship theatre for main productions, seats 1,833, has a café, an indoor/outdoor patio overlooking beautiful gardens and grounds – ideal for strolling. The theatre built in 1956, replaced the original canvas tent. Considered a perfect performance space with uncanny harmonious proportions, it attracts the greatest actors in our language. The theater’s thrust stage has been copied worldwide. The backstage area is one of the biggest in North America with administrative offices, costume department, large green room with private cafeteria, workshop and rehearsal hall.
Merry Wives of Windsor One of Shakespeare’s great comedies actually set in England. Sir John Falstaff is broke, out of work and lives off others. Shakespeare exposes his characters vanities and ends his comedy with the citizens of Windsor taking out their anger against Falstaff with much zest, restoring the feeling of equilibrium. Produced six times at the festival, “Merry Wives” is still popular. A lot of fun.
stay Mercer Hall Inn go
Great location! Originally housed the local newspaper. Now a boutique lodging with 14 unique splendid guest rooms decorated with local art in the heart of downtown Stratford near Avon Lake. Quiet, walkable to all the theatres with free parking, free wireless Internet, full library, and the Tango Cafe and Grill on street level. (5 miles from Stratford Golf & Country Club, if you play.) Convenient back entrance is nice touch; allows us to come/go without bother.
