FERGUS – Following the lead of other towns and cities, Fergus now has a letter sign of its own to draw in visitors and locals looking for a photo op.
On Wednesday, the letters F, E, R, G, U and S — along with a plaid maple leaf — were installed behind the Fergus library just on the edge of the Grand River.
Other municipalities have large letter signs of their own, notably Toronto at Nathan Phillips Square, Ottawa at Byward Market and Hamilton in front of its city hall.
The Fergus sign is more following the lead of Guelph with a smaller sign that can be moved if necessary for snow removal or other events.
“We’re just trying to do things that are, I guess you could call them, Instagrammable moments,” said Kim Jefferson, Downtown Fergus BIA chair, at her shop Joanie’s.
“We thought with the Fergus letters, that it would be a good thing to go stand beside and take your pictures or family’s pictures or if you’re from the area you could take a picture in front of it.”
Jefferson explained the BIA got this started based on another member’s experience with letter signs.
Fergus BIA member Melinda Croft, co-owner of One and Only, also owns the Sunflowers of Elora farm on Middlebrook Road which features large letter features for photo-ops such as “love.”
Jefferson said this inspired her to request Fergus letters be made from the same local company and they were installed in time for the downtown Sip and Shop event which features stores open late, caroling and sleigh rides among others.
The Sip and Shop event runs on Nov. 25 and 26 and Dec. 2 and 3.