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JUSTIN BIEBER’S STRATFORD

SEASON: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

LOCATION: Stratford Tourism, 47 Downie Street, and Stratford Perth Museum, 4275 Huron Road

WEBSITE: www.visitstratford.ca/justin-biebers-stratford

www.stratfordperthmuseum.ca/current-exhibits/

HIGHLIGHT: The Justin Bieber experience in Stratford

If your trip to Stratford is well-timed, you just might bump into Justin Bieber somewhere around the city. Stratford is Bieber’s hometown, and he still comes back to visit his old friends. When “the Biebs” returns, the locals attempt to honour his privacy; however, it’s pretty darn exciting if they can snag an autograph or a photo.

As a young boy, Justin taught himself to play the guitar, drums, piano, and trumpet. He performed at various public places around the city. The best-known location was on the steps of the Avon Theatre. If you don’t see JB in person, this is a great spot for a selfie with Justin’s bronze star marking the site where he entertained as a child busker to gather funds to treat his mother to a trip to Disney World. Local merchants contributed to the purchase of his first set of drums. His mother posted videos on YouTube, and the rest is history.

For the whereabouts of Justin’s favourite spots, a “Bieber-iffic! map to Stratford” is available on the Stratford Tourism Alliance website or at the Stratford Tourism office. It guides you to his schools, preferred eating places, where he played sports, and other locations that validate he was a regular kid around town.

In 2018, the Justin Bieber Exhibit, Steps to Stardom, opened at the Stratford Perth Museum. It drew over twenty thousand people in its first year. Beliebers arrive from all over the world to see the photos, awards, letters, and personal mementos provided by Justin, his family, and Stratford friends. Contact the museum prior to visiting to be sure the exhibit is still there.