The sun finally came out here on Saturday after a nearly all-day drizzle that put a damper on celebrations such as the Doors Open Fergus and Elora, plus the opening of BT Corner.
Nearly everyone was lamenting the lack of sunshine that finally arrived later in the day, but organizers noted that people did come out when the rain stopped for even a little while. The Folk Festival schedules for the street was fortunate to find a home in the Grand Theatre, and people came and went all day.
At the opening of BT Corner, Heritage Centre Wellington chairman Kathy Baranski explained that the initials were once used in a family business slogan, hence that this the name for the corner. The slogan once stated BT is best.
Justice George Beatty helped to unveil the millstone plaque bearing the park’s name, and remembered he and his brothers used to play ball at that corner of the street as youngsters.
“Across the street is where we lived,” he said.
We didn’t realize how lucky we were growing up in Fergus, George Beatty said.
He added that when he visited Scotland “you walk down the street and feel right at home.”
He also recalled how Fergus Police Chief Roy Smith would “chase us out of the pool hall and lock us up in jail.”
Beatty noted that the chief would then tell them, “just think if you couldn’t come out.”
George Beatty’s brother, Stephen, and mother, Margaret (but called Patty) also attended. Perrin Beatty, a long time MP for the area was unable to attend.
Meanwhile on the tour, the Wellington County Museum had attracted close to 100 people by early afternoon. Some were there to attend the annual herb and garden fair, and others were taking in the museum as a part of Doors Open.
At an unusual Doors Open event, a farm displaying the Paso Fino horse, nearly 100 people had also attended and the horse type games were going on despite some drizzle. By later afternoon when the weather cleared, there were dozens of cars in the driveway for that venue.
