Shakespeare Market Opens This Weekend At Stratford Theater Site

STRATFORD, CT — The grounds that were once home to Stratford’s American Shakespeare Festival Theatre will be bustling with activity Sunday at the first ever Shakespeare Market.

Shoppers will be able to purchase everything from organic condiments to jewelry and soaps from roughly 20 food and craft vendors, according to Tom Dillon, who led the volunteer effort behind the event.

“The food vendors are seasoned pros who have been doing this for years,” Dillon said.

In addition to the vendors, Sterling House Community Center, Stratford YMCA and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library will be in attendance. Musician Rick Reyes will be performing folk-rock standards and Latin-rock originals.

“People are signing up in droves,” Dillon said, adding that more than 70 vendors and community groups have expressed interest in participating.

The Shakespeare Market is a welcome sign of activity at the old theater grounds. The Shakespeare theater opened in 1955 and was host to famous actors and actresses for years, but largely stopped showing plays in the 1980s.

There had been talk for decades about how to revitalize the historic site before it was destroyed in a January 2019 fire. The Stratford Redevelopment Agency is considering possible long-term plans for the site.

Dillon, who has been involved in multiple town groups dedicated to the future of the theater property, said the idea for the Shakespeare Market originated within community forums about the site and came to fruition with the support of Mayor Laura Hoydick and other Stratford officials.

“We started it in the winter on the suggestion of one of the vendors,” Dillon said.

The winter timeframe made it possible for sellers who were already committed to spring and summer markets to take part. As an added incentive, the Shakespeare Market opted not to charge booth fees.

“We wanted to help the vendors, we wanted to give the residents a good excuse to get outside,” Dillon said. “It went very quickly once we latched on to the winter market idea.”

In consideration of the coronavirus pandemic, the market will have one-way pedestrian traffic and require masks in the immediate market area. The event will also include at least one hot food truck away from pedestrians, where shoppers can buy a bite and eat it at a safe distance.

“We want it to be a wonderful place for everyone in town to gather safely,” Dillon said.

The Shakespeare Market will be held 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the first and third Sundays of each month through April 18 at 1850 Elm St. For more information, visit www.theshakespearemarket.org/home or www.facebook.com/TheShakespeareMarket.