Residents in Fergus are showing their support for a local bagpiper with signs declaring there is nothing wrong with what he’s doing.
Peter Hummel is an avid bagpiper in Fergus known for his nearly daily livestreams in support of frontline workers since the beginning of the pandemic.
Hummel said in a phone call he has been recently visited by bylaw and police officers based on complaints.
He said he’s been told he’s not breaking any laws and also stressed he never plays during unreasonable hours.
Hummel wanted to show that the community supports what he’s been doing by offering lawn signs declaring bagpiping during reasonable hours is acceptable in Fergus.
He said a friend who owns a printing business offered to help him if he had an idea for the design. The sign says “piping isn’t a crime #supportyourlocalpiper” in capital letters along with a white silhouette of a bagpiper in traditional gear.
In under a day's time, the community didn’t let him down.
“I’m a little awestruck at how many people are sending me little messages, like personal messages not even on Facebook, just going ‘we love it, you know, don’t let one person bring you down,’” Hummel said.
In just a few hours, Hummel said he has had 36 requests for the signs. He said he wasn’t necessarily surprised but was impressed by how many people enjoy bagpiping.
Hummel has heard from people who sit on their porch to listen to him play at his regular time and those who still tune into the livestream.
He also recently opened on the Saturday and Sunday of the Wish You Were Here festival playing songs ranging from Sweet Caroline to Baby Shark.
“I know a lot of people go ‘oh it’s a Scottish town, it’s a Scottish town,’ but at the same time It’s a musical instrument and I know it’s not the easiest thing to listen to,” Hummel said.
Those who are interested can message Hummel on his personal Facebook page and all additional profits raised will be donated to an undetermined source, likely music-related.
“I’m just trying to turn this around and make something positive out of it and the community gets something out of it,” Hummel said.
“It’s nice to see how the community is banding around this going ‘don’t stop what you’re doing.’”
