Stratford St. Patrick's Day Festivities Announced

STRATFORD, CT — This year’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities at Town Hall in Stratford will begin with the raising of the Irish flag in a ceremony on the green in front of Town Hall at 9 a.m. on Friday, March 15.

Mayor Laura R. Hoydick will present the Irish Mayor for a Day, and State Sen. Kevin Kelly will be master of ceremonies. The ceremony will include performances from the Stratford High School Band, a bagpiper, and a performance from the Brennan Lucey Irish Dance Academy.

This year’s Irish Mayor for the Day is Stratford resident and realtor Emily O’Connor Karolyl.

The day’s events will also feature the customary Irish Soda Bread Competition open to all Stratford residents.

“If you think your recipe has what it takes, please bring your entry to Council Chambers on the second floor of Town Hall by 8:30 a.m. on March 15,” officials wrote in a news release. “All entrants will be judged by a professional panel of Irish Soda Bread experts.”

The following rules apply:

A name tag and telephone number should be placed with each entry;

● Entries must be made from an original recipe and not store bought;

● Entries containing nuts or related ingredients should be clearly indicated on the name tag;

● The decision of judges in final; and

● Immediate family members of judges may not submit entries.

This year’s judges will be John Burgeson, Tom Cotter, and Bill O’Brien.