It's no secret that Stratford, Ontario has a thriving arts and music scene. With its lively festivals and events, there's always something fun happening in this bustling town. The World in a Weekend Festival is a fantastic summer event in Stratford featuring free outdoor concerts on a floating barge, performances by national and international puppet artists and musicians, and colourful characters wandering the streets on stilts.
I've adored visiting Stratford in the past for its innovative plant-based eats, amazing coffee shops, Christmas and winter festivities, and of course, the Stratford Festival. On August 4th-7th, 2022, I'm so excited to attend the World in a Weekend Festival, presented by SpringWorks and Stratford Summer Music. Here's why you need to add the World in a Weekend Festival and a trip to Stratford to your summer plans.
What is the World in a Weekend Festival?
World in a Weekend Festival is a celebration of puppetry and music from August 4th-7th, 2022. It's perfect for families with small children, families with older children, couples, and groups of friends alike. There are both free and ticketed interactive events, including concerts, puppet shows, and play areas. There's truly something for everyone.
I love how the festival presents a joyful celebration of art and music without breaking the bank. While there are many free shows and hands-on play zones, there are puppet shows with a "pod pricing" model. Essentially, it means that up to five friends or family members can attend a show on one $30 ticket.
Executive Director Eileen Smith explains, "With gas and grocery prices going through the roof, most people these days could use a break. The World in a Weekend Festival is a fantastic opportunity to make summer memories and spend time together with the people you most care about."
Puppet Show at World in a Weekend Festival
Artful and inspiring puppet performances are at the core of the World in a Weekend Festival. Here are some of the shows that you can see, which are geared towards young children, as well as older children and adults.
Metamorphosis
Metamorphosis is a highlight of World in a Weekend, a show featuring intricately handcarved wooden puppets by Icelandic Master Puppeteer, Bernd Ogrodnik. There are also memorable characters created with only silk scarves and the hands and feet of the puppeteer. Bernd Ogrodnik is one of the best puppet artists in the world, so this one is a must see performance.
Tricyckle
Tricyckle is a quirky puppet performance dedicated to older audiences (9+). It stars a renegade fairground carny and scrap-collector riding a magical tricycle that also pulls a trailer filled with junk. This trailer reveals a treasure trove of stories in this wordless puppet show.
Cache Cache
The Cache Cache Puppet Walk with Puzzle Theatre takes the public on a walking journey through the forest. Discover mythical and funny creatures hidden in nature. Kids get to use their imagination and creativity to bring life to the marionettes using found objects in the woods. At the end of the forest walk, children can make their own wooden creature to bring home.
Wood/Bois
Wood/Bois by Puzzle Theatre is an atypical puppet show using characters made from sticks and branches. Strange creatures and comical creations with all different personalities come alive in this unique performance.
Go Home Tiny Monster
Go Home Tiny Monster is an interactive puppet show by The Gottabees. Inspired by true events, four members of the show were displaced from their homes. They use silly and magical ways to talk about the shared experience of not having a home, and the audience can help create a new home for them.
Concerts and Music at World in a Weekend Festival
Aside from the world class puppetry performances, live music is a main component of the World in a Weekend Festival. There's an Indigenous theatrical music journey, a showcase of top Canadian jazz performers, string quartet performances, funk music, and a ukulele party.
Sounding Thunder
Sounding Thunder is Indigenous storytelling through music. In this unique musical theatre performance, we delve into the life of renowned Ojibwe WWI sniper and decorated officer of the Canadian military, Francis Pegahmagabow. It's heavily inspired by Ojibwe oral history, Pegahmagabow family stories, and historical records.
The Ladom Ensemble
The Ladom Ensemble merges Western classical music, world rhythms and alternative prog-rock. There will be performing two concerts, including one held outdoors at Gallery Stratford for a limited audience, specifically designed for younger audiences.
Friday Night Live at Revival House
Four top All Star jazz musicians from across Canada, Jodi Proznick, Kelly Jefferson, Jim Doxas and Floriann Hoeffner, combine their talents for a memorable evening at the Revival House. You can also book your dinner reservations at the Revival House to enjoy before the performance.
The Thalea Quartet & The Shuffle Demons
This is a high energy evening of music, starting with the Thalea Quartet and followed up by funk artists, the Shuffle Demons. Are you in for a late night dance party with this eclectic mashup at Factory 163?
Free Concerts at World in a Weekend
The MusicBarge is home to six free concerts throughout the weekend featuring Jazz Academy Allstars and traditional Andean music by The Imbayakunas. On Saturday, there's a ukulele play along event led by Dayna Manning and her Folk Army. On Sunday, enjoy a free bandshell concert by Juno award winning Afro-Cuban musicians, Okan.
Plan Your Visit to the World in a Weekend Festival
Here's how to plan your trip to the World in a Weekend Festival in Stratford, Ontario. First, head over to the official website for a complete schedule of events. You can plan your own schedule with the concerts and puppet shows that you'd like to see. Take note of which events are ticketed and purchase your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.
Tickets range from free to $75.00. The puppet performances come with "pod pricing", meaning that one $30 ticket allows up to five people to attend (family members, friends, whoever is in your pod!). You can buy tickets online or from the box office at 19 Waterloo Street (Monday - Friday from 10am to 4pm).
Much of the action takes place right in downtown Stratford. The Avon River is home to the MusicBarge, and many characters will be roaming the streets. Here are the venues where you can see the concerts and performances: The Avondale, Factory163, Stratford-Perth Museum, Gallery Stratford, Revival House, MusicBarge, The Bandshell, Veterans Drive, Nancy Campbell Academy. In the event of rain, outdoor programming will be relocated to Copperlight (formerly Knox Church).
Stratford remains one of the best small towns in Ontario to visit, as well as one of my favourite Ontario road trip destinations. Here's another reason to head directly to Stratford this summer. Experience this quaint yet bustling small town while enjoying one of the top Ontario festivals for families and adults alike.
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