page_title: Fergus, Ontario
section_title: Attractions
hierarchical_section_title: Fergus, Ontario / Attractions
caption_attribution_description: English: Wellington County Museum and Archives building near Fergus, Ontario.
context_page_description: Fergus is the largest community in Centre Wellington, a township within Wellington County in Ontario, Canada. It lies on the Grand River about 18 km NNW of Guelph. The population of this community at the time of the 2016 Census was 20,767, but the community is growing as new homes are being built for sale.
  Fergus was an independent town until 1999 when the Township was formed by amalgamating the Town of Fergus; the Village of Elora; and the Townships of Nichol, Pilkington, West Garafraxa, and part of Eramosa.
context_section_description: Fergus is best known for the annual Scottish Festival and Highland Games, held in August. The games represent the largest gathering of clans in the world outside Scotland and Cape Breton Island. Competitions are held for music, dancing and 'heavy' events such as the caber toss. A 10 km (6.21 mi) run is also contested. The organizers summarize the event as follows: "Celtic Music, crafts for the kids, heavy events championships, bagpipes, drums, author appearances, bands, Highland dancing, story telling, singing, clan information and heritage, beer tents, artisans and vendors .... Pipe Band Competitions, Military Tattoo, Highland Dancers.
  Fergus is also home to the Fergus Highland Rugby Football Club.  The club plays in the Ontario Rugby Union, and has two Men's teams, two Women's teams and a strong and growing junior program. Fergus Curling Club, Ontario's oldest continuously running Curling Club, was founded in 1834 by settlers from Scotland. Adam Fergusson was the first president. Matches were held outdoors until 1879 when an indoor rink was opened.
  St Andrew Street runs parallel to the Grand River (on its north side) and is the heart of downtown. In addition to stores and restaurants, the Fergus Grand Theatre is located here, on the south side of the street. Originally a cinema that opened in 1928, the venue now hosts live entertainment and stage plays. On the south side of the river is Queen Street where the Fergus Market on the River (no longer a farmers' market) houses shops located in restored historic warehouses.
  The Wellington County Museum and Archives and the Wellington County library are in nearby Aboyne, halfway between Fergus and Elora.  The museum is located in a two-storey Italianate-style stone building on a former working farm.  The building is the oldest known state-supported poorhouse or almshouse in Canada. It was called the House of Industry and Refuge when it opened in 1877. Subsequently, the home switched to caring for the elderly and chronically ill, eventually closing in 1971. The building was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1995.
  The Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex completed renovations in the fall of 2006. It now includes a 25-metre indoor swimming pool and a second ice rink to complement the previously existing ice facilities.  The facility is now home of the Fergus Force Jr. A Hockey Club (www.fergusforce.com) starting in September, 2017.  The Force will play in the Greater Metro Jr. A Hockey League (www.gmhl.net), an independent junior league established in 2006, and known for its unlimited import rule, allowing teams to sign players from all over the world.
  Nearby attractions include the Elora Gorge, Elora Quarry Conservation Area, the Elora Cataract Trailway for hiking, the County Museum and Elora Gorge Falls in addition to Grand River Raceway. Users of the TripAdvisor web site recommend the nearby Belwood Lake Conservation Area, the Fergus Grand Theatre for live performances, Grand River Troutfitters and the Wellington Artist's Gallery and Art Centre.
  Restaurants that are highly rated by users include Brewhouse On The Grand, Fergus Tandoori Grill, Ikiru Sushi, My Kitchen by Gancena and the Bentley House Fine Teas & Tea Room.
caption: Wellington County Museum and Archives in Aboyne
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