在4月的一个周末，Stratford将组织加拿大最特别的事件来宣布春天的到来，那就是每年一度的天鹅游行庆典，这是阖家欢游玩的好周末，在4月11和12日。当天婉约但好胜的羽毛大使将在Avon河边大游行。
Stratford迎接春天非常特别，在古老城市的市中心四处有天鹅的点缀，加上现场娱乐表演和各种家庭活动一起庆祝。游客甚至可以参加天鹅任务(Swan Quest)，找到自己喜欢的天鹅装饰；或者见见巴西Mime和讲故事的人，比方说，Antonio Rocha所奉献的“丛林传说”(Jungle Tales)；或者阅读有关天鹅的书而引发读书兴趣；或者看看天鹅及其他自然风光照片或艺术品；或者参与当地的观鸟或看天鹅步行；或者跳上免费的马车之旅；或者拍下天鹅吉祥物和表演者。本地戏校将安排有两场露天演出。
周日天鹅游行庆祝是免费的，从中午12点至下午3点，沿着Lakeside Drive(在Waterloo和Morenz之间)。天鹅游行，也就是下午2点时让天鹅回到Avon河。活动安排具体详情见如下：
4月11日周六
• The Stratford City Centre BIA presents the Stratford Swan Quest with distinctive topiary swans decorated and perched in front of businesses throughout the weekend. For a chance to win a $100 City Centre shopping spree, shoppers are invited to find all twelve swans and vote for their favourite to receive the People’s Choice Award. Ballots are available at shops with a decorated swan and at Stratford Tourism Alliance, 47 Downie Street. The contest closes at 5:00 pm Sunday, April 12. www.visitstratford.ca/swans
• Agora Gallery presents Antony John’s life-like paintings and drawings, many of birds and their environment. Meet the artist at 10:30 am for a slide show followed by a nature walk at TJ Dolan Natural Area.
• Want to learn more about our feathered ambassadors? Join us on Guided Swan Walks. Stratford’s swan stories are shared as you view the swans in their winter quarters, see popular nesting spots and stroll along the river bank. Free guided walks begin at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm on Saturday, and Sunday at 11:30 am at the William Allman Arena.
• Free horse-drawn carriage rides will be offered courtesy of the Stratford City Centre BIA from 12 noon – 3:30 pm departing from Memorial Gardens, Ontario Street. (Sat & Sun)
• Swan and Nature Photos: Visit the University of Waterloo-Stratford Campus, 125 St. Patrick Street to view photos by the St. Marys Clicks Camera Club from 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm (Sat. & Sun.)
• Children’s Book Reading: Meet author, Tarra Trachsel Green as she reads Sammy the Swan’s Summer Adventure in Stratford on Saturday at 1:30 pm at Stratford Tourism Alliance.
• Pose for photos with BJ, a larger than life swan mascot at 11:30 am and 1:00 pm at Memorial Gardens on Ontario Street.
• Playmakers! Theatre School brings lively spirited shows to Memorial Gardens at 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm.
• Jungle Tales: Antonio Rocha, Brazilian storyteller and mime artist brings his unique fusion of mime and sound effects to the stage. Watch wild animals change from turtle to crocodile and serpent to jaguar right before your eyes! Taking place at the Stratford Public Library at 3:00 pm, tickets are available on-line at www.visitstratford.ca/jungletales or at Stratford Tourism Alliance.
4月12日周日
• Bring your family to the Swan Celebration from 12 Noon – 3:00 pm along Lakeside Drive. Enjoy Stratford’s own Freddy Fusion Science and Magic show, Loki’s Big Dream puppet show presented by SpringWorks, The Wild Swans by Alternative Theatre Works, comedic juggler Craig Douglas, ONStage Dance Studio, Bogle the Clown, a castle jumper, community mural, face painting, swan hats and crafts for children – all free.
• Street food trucks offer tasty menus along with a charity barbeque.
• At 2:00 pm, the Swan Parade, organized by the volunteer Civic Beautification and Environmental Awareness Committee along with Stratford Community Services, begins as The Stratford Police Pipes and Drums lead the swans from their winter quarters to the Avon River.
Free parking is available in the Stratford Festival parking lot at the corner of Lakeside Drive and Queen Street and along Lakeside Drive east of Front Street. Street closures will include Lakeside Drive from Waterloo Street to North Street and Morenz Drive at Water Street from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm to provide safe pedestrian traffic. Everyone is welcome to attend.
For more information, a Swan Quest Ballot and a video clip of the swan parade, go to www.visitstratford.ca/swans, call 519-271-5140 or 1-800-561-7926, or visit us at Stratford Tourism Alliance, 47 Downie Street, Stratford.
