Climate Momentum to host fourth annual Street Party on April 27

The 2024 Climate Momentum Street Party was a hit with kids and adults of all ages. Pictured is the 2024 Stratford Public Library booth, where attendees enjoyed learning about books related to environmental change.

The fourth annual Climate Momentum Street Party is an all-ages event at Factory 163 in Stratford on Sunday, April 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Community groups and vendors from across Stratford and the surrounding area will be present to discuss and promote initiatives related to improving the environment.

Kaitlyn Kochany, a Climate Momentum group member and lead organizer of the event, says the street party started as a way to connect people in Stratford with environmental organizations throughout the region and with each other. “We want people to care about the environment; we want to give them a place to go, more information, and a chance to meet their community,” she said.

Kochany noted that the event is meant to connect community members and local climate initiative groups and ease anxieties around climate change. “There can be a lot of anxiety around climate change and how it will affect us all,” she said. “So, we (Climate Momentum) aim to bring people together and offer folks conversations within their own community. If someone is interested in a pollinator section for their garden, or if someone is interested in working on environmental issues in their own lives, we want them to feel affirmed that they have someone they can reach out to and connect with.”

As far as vendors, there’s something new each year. Attendees this year can look forward to Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, The City of Stratford’s energy and environment committee, the Rotary Club of Stratford and the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW), who will all be there to provide information about their environmental initiatives and natural resource initiatives. “It's really like an opportunity for community organizations to come and talk about what they're doing and to get people involved with them,” said Kochany.

For kids, Patsy Day, Indigenous educator, will offer a kid’s learning program. The Stratford Public Library will have an all-ages table, and a Climate Momentum member will have an interactive kid’s table where plant-based diet and veganism will be discussed. The Stratford BIA and Cycle Stratford will also be there, offering an interactive booth while discussing this year’s upcoming car-free Friday initiative.

New this year, vendors will sell local art and clothing based on environmental change. Liz Emirzian, a local artist and illustrator who created the posters for the street party, will be set up to sell her artwork, and Claire Upcycled will sell her one-of-a-kind, eco-fashion, gender-neutral streetwear. Claire takes screen-printed designs and sews them on curated second-hand clothing to create wearable art.

The annual street party is also a great way to try local foods. Attendees can look forward to different food options from Curry Zone, Taylor's Delicatessen and Camp Coffee Co. “It’s going to be a great party vibe. We want people to have some food and wander around throughout the day,” said Kochany.

For more information about Climate Momentum, please visit their website at www.climatemomentum.ca or reach out to them directly at info@climatemomentum.ca.