This is just my opinion, but I think the best Stratford in the world is the one that’s upon Avon.

Of course you might disagree. You might prefer one of the other 27 Stratfords that are not upon Avon.

If you are a Stratfordian (a person who loves towns named Stratford), you could put on your globetrotting backpack, land in any English speaking country and chances are, you will find a town with this name sooner than later.

I don’t know who said this, but there is a popular question that goes, “What’s in a name?” Well, apparently there is something in the name ‘Stratford’. That’s why there is a popular belief that towns named Stratford attract a lot of fat-walleted tourists. And this explains why, when the name Stratford was being given out by the International Stratford Town Naming Committee, several countries lined up with enthusiasm. The USA, England and Australia managed to take home more than one Stratford. And as usual, America flexed its capitalistic muscle, went a little overboard, and grabbed 17 Stratfords.

The Stratford in Connecticut is understandably quite popular, since it’s near New York City. And also has a nice little brewery. So if you happen to get bored, you could always chug a few pints. And when drunk enough, hop over to Manhattan and carve your name on the Empire State Building.

Or if you like the direction North, you could visit the northern most Stratford on the planet, Stratford-upon-Slaney, a small village on the River Slaney in Ireland. Though upon-Slaney is not as popular as upon-Avon, this town too features lots of drinking entertainment. A popular sport here is emptying alternate pitchers of light and dark Guiness beer, then going hunting for shamrocks, leprechauns and pots of gold.

But if North is not your cup of tea, and you prefer below-equatorial towns, then you have to check out the world’s southern most Stratford, in the Taranaki region of New Zealand. The entertainment in this town involves kiwis. Either eating kiwi fruits, or petting kiwi birds, or drinking alcohol with kiwi people. But if you get bored with kiwis, you could always visit ‘Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokai-whenuakitanatahu’, the town with the longest name known to mankind, in the North Island of New Zealand.

Now there is also a Stratford in Ontario, but Stratfordians are still trying to figure out why or how this town got popular.

But remember all those other not-upon-Avon Stratfords in other parts of the world? Well, they were offended about being left out. And so, after a bit of negotiating, the Stratfords of Prince Edward Island and Victoria, Australia, were recognized as world class Stratfords too.

Though all these towns were as happy as the merry wives of Stratford, they still felt something more could be done. So they came up with a bright idea. ‘We will all be Sister Cities’, they said. Then they could enjoy a cool connection and a little sibling rivalry with upon-Avon. Thus, over a few glasses of potent Stratford stuff, they formed a nice friendship link. And so began the adventures of Stratfords Of The World.

To kick off the fun and festivities, in April 1984 the Stratford Connecticut High School Band visited Stratford Ontario and gave an applause-worthy performance. (It might not have been all that applause-worthy, but after a few pints of good cheer, there is bound to be a lot of applausing.) And the following spring the Connecticut Band went to England and performed in upon-Avon, along with the Perth County Pipe Band from Ontario and the Stratford upon Avon Wind Band Association.

Thus began a great Sister Cities of Stratford tradition. In July 1986, Stratford Connecticut hosted visitors from Stratford Ontario and England. This was followed by other fun reunions, upon-Avon in 1987, Stratford Ontario in 1988 and Stratford Connecticut in 1997.

By now, all kinds of cultural activities had been added to the program, including drama, dance and other delightful diversions. These reunions have been continuing approximately at two year intervals, at the UK in 1992, Ontario 1993, Connecticut 1995. In 1997, the get-together got intensely international, as hosts in Warwickshire welcomed visitors from Stratford New Zealand and Stratford Prince Edward Island.

Long story short, Stratfordizing (fraternizing in towns named Stratford) has become a popular sport.

But though each Stratford had found fame in its own little way, the sad reality is that none of them were as famous as the one that’s upon-Avon.

But isn’t upon-Avon just another Stratford? Why is it more famous and more touristy than other Stratfords?

Just like you, I too had no idea. So I decided to go there and find out.

(to be continued)