Unsurprisingly, Stratford-upon-Avon will be celebrating Shakespeare’s birthday this April and they’re inviting you to take part.
April 23rd is the “official” birthday of the poet and bard William Shakespeare although his actual date of birth is unknown, so folks in Stratford use his christening date instead.
However, for a town which lives and breaths the works of the famous poet, his birthday parade is a surprisingly low-key event without much publicity or hype. It seems for once the people of Stratford want to celebrate his life in a more meaningful way rather than create something for the tourists.
The parade sees quite a number of people dressed in full regalia from the time and of course William himself will be in attendance although considering he’s been officially dead for about 400 years, this might seem a little unusual.
Behind the main parade are the Shakespeare fans – just everyone and anyone from around the world which often includes several dignitaries, ambassadors, members of the RSC and just members of the public.
The parade runs through various streets of Stratford and usually stops briefly in the town square, but then makes it’s way to the church where Shakespeare is buried where people can lay flowers on his last resting place.
Of course what William makes of all this one can only imagine, but by all accounts he seems to enjoy the attention.
This year the parade will be happening on the 30th April not the 23rd to avoid clashing with Easter.
More Stratford-upon-Avon links:
More details from previous parades on the Telegraph
Lots of visitor attractions in Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon hotels
