Justin Bieber is to have a bronze star embedded in his hometown

Much more glitter joins ranks

Applause, hoots and even a short-lived "Justin, Justin" chant greeted the official announcement in Market Square Friday that teen singing sensation Justin Bieber is to have a bronze star embedded in his home town.

Bronze Star Ceremony Stratford
Gary Schellenberger, Riley Mathieson, Justin Bieber's grandparents Diane and Bruce Dale, Mayor Mathieson and John Wilkinson

There was no need for crowd control, however, as much to the relief of town officials The Biebs didn't show up in person. (He had notified the city of his regrets in advance).

He appeared in a brief video only, urging Canada Day participants to "give it up" for his grandparents Bruce and Diane Dale who accepted the award on his behalf.

"I love you Stratford," he said, acknowledging the city award that puts him in the local star galaxy with the likes of Tom Patterson and Christopher Plummer.

"What an honour," said Diane Dale, who accepted the award for her internationally famous grandson.

"Thank you very much to everyone who has had anything to do with this," she said.

"He's impressed. He's very impressed," said Dale as she rushed off after to head to a wedding.

"I enjoyed being there," said Bruce Dale. "I'm very emotional when I'm around him (Justin) or anything like that."

While the Bieber star was the most unusual -- the singer is by far the youngest celebrity to be named for the bronze star program that began in 2002 -- the city and Stratford Shakespeare Festival showed appreciation for former Festival artistic director Robin Phillips, former actor Susan Wright and for Oliver Gaffney who played a key practical role in realizing the dream of the theatre back in 1953.

Festival artistic director Des McAnuff said Wright who died in a fire in 1991 is deeply missed. He credited her for her acting brilliance as well as for her sense of humour, integrity and strength of character.

"Susan brought unfailing brilliance to her roles," he said, noting her final roll at Stratford was in Michel Tremblay's Les Belle Soeurs in 1991.

McAnuff said the Wright family, including Susan's sister Janet who is in this season's Festival company, is very pleased with the wonderful recognition.

Also citing Phillips' contributions to the Festival, McAnuff noted the artistic director from 1975-80 left "a distinctive stamp" on the theatre, including bringing in such talents as Brian Bedford, Maggie Smith and Peter Ustinov and developing company actors Martha Henry, William Hutt and Richard Monette.

McAnuff, said Phillips, "is very likely the greatest director since Tyrone Guthrie to grace our stages."

Phillips was unable to accept the award in person owing to "a hectic schedule," said McAnuff, but had sent his warmest thanks.

Accepting the bronze star for Oliver Gaffney were his wife Betty, sons David and Dominic and daughter Anita.

Mayor Dan Mathieson cited Gaffney's legacy as a building contractor in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick, noting his company had been responsible for more than three million square feet of buildings in Southwestern Ontario alone.

Gaffney, a Rotarian, was deeply involved in the community serving as chairperson of the Festival, YMCA, Stratford General Hospital and Children's Aid Society. Gaffney died in 2004.

His commitment to finishing the building of the Festival Theatre in time for its first season even when pay for the work was uncertain was cited as a key factor in the creation of the theatre that's marking its 59th season.

"I'm really proud of my dad's contribution on that front," said Anita Gaffney, currently the theatre's administrative director.

Gaffney said her father's star would be located at Downie and Albert streets, the original home of his construction company.

Source: The Beacon Herald