Photo Journal: Shakespeare's Birthday in Stratford-upon-Avon

I've just returned from a marvelous trip to the UK. My first stop was Stratford-upon-Avon, where I celebrated Shakespeare's birthday with my friends at The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

We visited and saw all the wonderful sites that mean so much to me and I was there for the whole week of Shakespeare birthday celebrations. I had such great time and thought it would be fun to share some of the pictures with you.

I had a tour of the Trust's archives where I had the opportunity to look though an 18th-century scrapbook for information on The Shakespeare Jubilee of 1769. This is an original ticket and souvenir ribbon from the festivities.

Every year on Shakespeare's actual birthday, Stratford-Upon-Avon hosts a big parade, and I had the honor of unfurling the Trust's flag this year.

The parade ended at Holy Trinity Church, where I laid a wreath at Shakespeare's grave.

The Trust staff members are all just terrific and I loved spending time with the newly appointed CEO Rachael North.

Finally, in the schoolroom of King Edward VI Grammar School, where Shakespeare sat to do his lessons, I delivered the annual toast to “The Worldwide Appreciation of Shakespeare”.  Giving a toast in the school that Shakespeare attended in Stratford-upon-Avon, which can trace its origins to 1295 and was re-founded by King Edward VI, was one of the thrills of my life.  

Cheers to Shakespeare and incredible week and cheers to you too!