5 Things To Know In Stratford: Great Pumpkin Festival, Flu Clinic, Town Council Meets And More

STRATFORD, CT — Stratford's Great Pumpkin Festival and Public Safety Day come to Boothe Memorial Park on Saturday, the Health Department holds a flu clinic at the Baldwin Center and the Town Council meets Tuesday.

Here are five things to know about life around Stratford this week:

1. Great Pumpkin Festival And Public Safety Day
When: Saturday, Oct. 17, noon to 4 p.m.; rain date Sunday, Oct. 18
Where: Boothe Memorial Park, 5800 Main St.
What to know: The festival includes a costume parade, food, a DJ, an inflatable maze, hayrides, the park's historic buildings, a magic show and face painting, according to the town. Public Safety Day joins this year with safety demonstrations, Touch-A-Truck and giveaways. The pumpkin carving contest is sold out.
More information here.

2. Flu Clinic At The Baldwin Center
When: Wednesday, Oct. 14, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Baldwin Center, 1000 W. Broad St.
What to know: The Stratford Health Department holds a flu clinic at the Art of Aging Healthy Living Expo, according to the town. Walk-ins are welcome but may wait; appointments are at 203-385-4090. Later clinics are Oct. 22 (for children and school staff) and Oct. 29 (public), 2 to 7 p.m. at the Birdseye Municipal Complex, 468 Birdseye St.
More information here.

3. Town Council Meets Tuesday
When: Tuesday, Oct. 13, 7 p.m. (livestreamed on YouTube and Channel 79)
Where: Council Chambers, Town Hall, 2725 Main St.
What to know: The Town Council meets Tuesday instead of its usual second Monday because of the holiday, according to the 2026 meeting schedule. As of Thursday, Oct. 8, no agenda had been posted.
More information here.

4. Interim Economic Development Director Named
When: Announced Sept. 28
Where: Stratford Town Hall, 2725 Main St.
What to know: Mayor David Chess named Caryn Kaufman, the mayor's chief of staff, interim director of the Economic Development Department and brought in consultant Mike Freimuth to help with strategy and planning, according to the town. Kaufman will oversee day-to-day operations, projects, business outreach and small business development; no other staff changes are planned.
More information here.

5. Trash Pickup Continues Monday; Transfer Station Closed
When: Monday, Oct. 12
Where: Stratford Transfer Station, Watson Boulevard
What to know: Trash, recycling and yard waste will be collected as usual Monday, but the Transfer Station on Watson Boulevard is closed, according to Public Works. Only items in the town-issued containers are collected, and plastic bags aren't allowed in recycling. The town's household hazardous waste day is Saturday, Nov. 7, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Public Works yard, 550 Patterson Ave.
More information here.