Mayor David Chess

06/17/2026

06/17/2026

Need a beach sticker? Here's everything you need to know!

06/17/2026

On Monday, I had the great honor and privilege of joining Office of Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz and Veterans Affairs Deputy Commissioner John Carragher at our Stratford Veterans Award Ceremony, where we honored more than 100 Korean War- and Vietnam War-era veterans.

Events honoring our veterans are so important. It’s so critical that we remember all the sacrifices they have made throughout our nation’s history, especially our veterans who never came home. Oftentimes, we need to be reminded that freedom is not free and that the liberties and rights we enjoy in the United States of America—such as free speech, freedom of religion and democracy—are not simply given. They have been maintained and protected by our troops. Our veterans are remarkable human beings and deserve our sincere recognition for their dedication to preserving our nation’s core principles and ensuring freedom endures in the United States of America.

A special thanks to everyone who made the event possible, including Raymond T. Goldbach VFW Post 9460, our Stratford Police Honor Guard, the United States Marine Corps League Housatonic Detachment #1129 and Police Officer Sandy Quinonez and Matthew Ferri, who each led us in beautiful singing performances.

I also want to thank members of our State Delegation who made meaningful remarks honoring our veterans: State Senator Jason Perillo, State Senator Herron Keyon Gaston, State Representative Kaitlyn Shake and State Representative Joe Gresko.

Special thanks to Rep. Rosa DeLauro, who couldn’t make it but had her staff attend and hand out citations to each veteran.

And thank you to Soundview Community Media for capturing the event on video so it can serve as a timeless resource for our veterans and their families. You can watch the full video here.

06/17/2026

ATTN Stratford: Please be aware that town buildings will be closed on Friday, June 19, 2026, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday.

06/17/2026

ATTN: Middle and high school students: Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, the state's largest, nonpartisan organization of municipal leaders, is actively engaging Connecticut's youth through a scholarship opportunity called 2026 .

Here's what the contest entails:

Think about the question: What is cool about local government, and create an entry using this as the central question and general theme. You may choose to submit an essay, poem, photo, video, painting, multimedia project, or any other medium you find appropriate. Images of 3-dimensional art will be accepted. Have fun and be creative with this project!

They are now accepting applications, and all students attending a Connecticut middle school (grades 6-8) or high school (grades 9-12) can submit one! Students can work alone or collaborate with peers to submit group projects of up to 3 people.

You can submit your application and learn more here!

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06/16/2026

We are pleased to announce the launch of the Celebrate Stratford Gift Card, a new digital gift card program designed to encourage local spending and support Stratford's business community!

The idea behind the Celebrate Stratford Gift Card is to support our local businesses while giving residents extra spending value and encouraging them to shop locally. Every dollar spent locally helps strengthen our businesses and grow our local economy. By keeping money circulating within the community, we fuel a positive cycle of job creation, generate higher tax revenue and showcase the exceptionality of our incredible business community.

To celebrate the launch, we're offering a limited-time bonus promotion while supplies last:
💳 Buy a $100 card, get a $25 bonus card
💳 Buy a $50 card, get a $12.50 bonus card
💳 Buy a $25 card, get a $6.25 bonus card

Cards can be sent instantly by email or text, added to your mobile wallet for easy tap-to-pay use.

Every purchase helps support the local businesses that make Stratford a great place to live, work, and visit. 💙
Get yours today! https://stratford.yiftee.com/

🎉 It’s Here! The Celebrate Stratford Card Has Officially Launched! 🎉

Looking for the perfect gift that supports local businesses and gives recipients the freedom to choose their favorites? The Celebrate Stratford Card can be used at participating shops, restaurants, services, and experiences throughout Stratford. ✨

To celebrate the launch, we're offering a limited-time bonus promotion while supplies last:
💳 Buy a $100 card, get a $25 bonus card
💳 Buy a $50 card, get a $12.50 bonus card
💳 Buy a $25 card, get a $6.25 bonus card

The Celebrate Stratford Card is perfect for:
🎓 Graduations
🍎 Teacher appreciation gifts
🎉 Birthdays, thank-you gifts, and summer celebrations

Cards can be sent instantly by email or text, added to your mobile wallet for easy tap-to-pay use.

Every purchase helps support the local businesses that make Stratford a great place to live, work, and visit. 💙

Get yours today! https://stratford.yiftee.com/

Bonus offer limited to one per purchaser while supplies last. Bonus cards expire 90 days after purchase.

06/16/2026

Friendly reminder that the community is invited to Stratford's Juneteenth Flag-Raising ceremony on Thursday, June 18th, at 9:00 AM on the Town Hall Green.

Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in our nation. It marks June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and free the last enslaved people in the United States. Although President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, it wasn't enforced in the Confederate state of Texas until more than two years later. Juneteenth honors the true realization of universal freedom and equality for all U.S. citizens and serves as a reminder of our ongoing efforts to form a more perfect union where everyone is treated with dignity and respect and has full access to equality.

06/16/2026

It was wonderful to attend Bridgeport’s 34th Annual Juneteenth Parade and Harambee Festival last weekend at Seaside Park, the largest and longest-running Juneteenth observance in Fairfield County.

Thank you to the organizers, marching bands, drill teams, cultural performers and vendors who helped make this event truly spectacular.

Everyone is also invited to Stratford's Juneteenth Flag Raising ceremony on Thursday, June 18th, at 9:00 AM on the Town Hall Green. We hope to see you there to recognize the importance of Juneteenth!

State Senator Herron Keyon Gaston, CT Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas.

06/15/2026

First summer concert is tomorrow night, Tuesday, June 16 at the Paradise Green Gazebo. The Stratford Community Concert Band will be performing. Show begins at 7:00 pm.

Thank you to the Stratford Recreation Department and Celebrate Stratford for presenting this concert series.

06/15/2026

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Celebrate Stratford Logo Contest and Community Vote!

After reviewing the finalist submissions and receiving more than 200 votes, a winning logo has been selected: option 1 from the community-wide survey!

The new logo will serve as the visual identity for Celebrate Stratford, showcasing everything Stratford has to offer. It will be used to promote local businesses, community events, arts and culture, and initiatives that celebrate everything that makes Stratford unique and a wonderful place to live, work, and play!

We are grateful to all the talented designers who submitted entries and to everyone who took the time to vote. Your participation helped shape a brand that reflects the spirit and pride of our community.