About Us

A part of the community since 1928, the historic Fergus Grand Theatre has changed hands and uses over the years, but has never lost sight of its purpose of providing community entertainment.

The Fergus Grand Theatre was the dream of Sam Fardella, who turned the site of an old barn into a theatre on the main street of Fergus. On August 28, 1928, Louis B. Mayer, the head of MGM in Hollywood, sent Sam best wishes by telegram on the Grand Theatre's opening night.

Throughout the 1930's, 40's and 50's the Grand Theatre presented not only movies but also plays, concerts and other live events. With the rise of drive-ins and television in the late 50's and early 60's the theatre's popularity started to dwindle.

Cable television pioneer Jake Milligan bought the building in the late 1960's to house the rapidly growing Fergus-Elora Cable TV, as well as an electronics store. Live performances returned in the early 1980's with shows produced by the Elora Community Theatre and other local and regional theatre companies.

Hugh and Lorraine Drew-Brook bought the building in the early 1990's and a professional summer theatre started in 1993. Theatre on the Grand came to an end in the summer of 2003 and the building then became the property of the Township of Centre Wellington.

Today the Fergus Grand Theatre has one full-time staff member and a small army of volunteers. It is rented out year-round to a large and growing list of individuals and organizations that use it for a wide variety of artistic, cultural and corporate events. Together these people are making the Fergus Grand Theatre a "community meeting place" once again.

In keeping with our commitment to improve accessibility features for our patrons, we have created a Venue Guide for those who need a wide range of supports (mobility, sensory, cognitive). 

2019 Events:

  • Take it Easy: The Story of the Eagles
  • The O'Pears
  • The Dining Room
  • The Outside Track
  • Rock Around The Clock
  • Alysha Brilla
  • We Walk the Line
  • Scurvy Knaves
  • Coig
  • SPIN
  • Short-Handed
  • An Evening with Matthew Byrne
  • Madison Galloway CD Release Party
  • The Carpenters' Story
  • Wonderland
  • Legends of Folk
  • The Slocan Ramblers
  • Surfin' Safari
  • Kings of Classic Country
  • The Liverpool Sessions
  • OWOW Magic Festival
  • The Mudmen
  • True Confessions from the Ninth Concession
  • Sultans of String

 

2018 Events:

  • James Hill and Ann Janelle
  • Coraline and The Giver
  • The "Real" Robbie Burns
  • Phantom of the Opera
  • Buddy Holly's Rockin' Dance Party
  • In-laws, Outlaws, and Other People (who should be shot)
  • The Fitzgeralds
  • Sugar and Gold: Stories and Songs of the Underground Railroad
  • SPSD Competitive Showcase 2018
  • Ramblin' Man Revue
  • Kings of Classic Country
  • Fergus Filming
  • The Good Brothers
  • National Tartan Day Concert
  • Soldiers of Song
  • Motown Gold
  • Is He Dead?
  • Skydiggers
  • Here Today
  • The Lay Awakes
  • Roy Orbison: The All-Star Tribute
  • Abba Magic
  • Bee Gees Story
  • EPIC Journey Tribute
  • Oh Susanna
  • Fresh Horses: Garth Brooks Tribute
  • The Liverpool Sessions
  • Patsy Cline and the Queens of Country
  • Keep the Faith: Bon Jovi Tribute
  • Music 'n Arts Collide Christmas
  • Elton Rohn
  • Peter Pan: A Family Musical Panto
  • Dirty Dishes
  • Anne of Green Gables

 

2017 Events:

  • The "Reel" Robbie Burns
  • No Sugar Tonight
  • Hot Rocks: The Rolling Stones Tribute Show
  • SPSD Competitive Showcase 2017
  • The Sting
  • The Great Canadian Fiddle Show
  • Patsy Cline and the Queens of Country
  • Canada: Our Story
  • Only Yesterday: The Carpenters' Story
  • Alice in Wonderland
  • Move with Grace
  • Robert Gordon
  • Barry and Bette: A Las Vegas Tribute
  • Show Swappers
  • Heather Rankin
  • Ryan Joyce: Illusions, Delusions and Other Deceptions
  • Cash: The World's Most Authentic Johnny Cash Tribute
  • Take it Easy: The Story of the Eagles
  • Imagine John
  • The Great Canadian Songbook
  • The Little Mermaid
  • A Christmas Carol
  • Beatlemania Revisited

2016 Events:

  • Adrian Jones Music Recital
  • The Drawer Boy
  • Greece is the Word
  • Season's Greeters
  • Shirley Valentine
  • Little Women
  • Abbamania
  • Guelph Celtic Orchestra, with the Fitzgeralds
  • Move with Grace Recital 2016
  • An Evening with Sean McCann of Great Big Sea
  • Freezin'
  • We All Belong
  • Celtic Traditions
  • Legends of British Rock
  • Skips and Scoundrels
  • It's A Wonderful Life
  • Billy Joel and the Piano Men
  • Beauty and the Beast
  • A "Reel" Celtic Christmas
  • Buddy Holly's Rockin' Christmas Party

Consent release notice: Authorization for the use of the images from which these composites were created is derived from the rental agreement between the theatre and its rental clients. Event producers are solely responsible for securing consent from their staff and volunteers to appear onstage and in archival photographs. Persons who wish to have their composites in which their image appears removed from this website may do so by contacting the theatre coordinator. Such requests shall generally not be refused. 

Community Collaborations

The Fergus Grand Theatre is a municipal performing arts centre, owner and operated by the Township of Centre Wellington. The theatre hosts a diverse group of rental clients every year, and presents a series of curated events, representing the best and brightest in Canadian music, theatre, and other performing arts. 

Among these rentals clients and our Presenting Series, the theatre is passionate about collaborating with community members to put on free or pay-what-you-may shows so that the performing arts can be accessible to everyone. Check out our past, present, and future collaborations!

Just Play - an Ontario Culture Days Event 

Held annually during Ontario Culture Days, "Just Play" is a free, all-ages, open-stage showcase of local talent that coincides with Ontario Culture Days every year. Anyone can sign up and audition for the showcase - whether you act, sing, dance, tell jokes or even juggle - all talent is welcome! Being part of Ontario Culture Days means the event is free for the public as a way to encourage arts in culture across Canada and in your community.

World Theatre Day (March 27)

Every year for World Theatre Day, we invite community members, key stakeholders, and theatre patrons to the theatre for a celebration of all things theatre and end off the night unveiling our Presenting Series for the following year to come.

Community Cabaret (April 27, 2023)

The New People partnered with us to bring an incredible night of Community Cabaret! The Pay-What-You-May event was an accessible event for community members of all ages and featured amazing local talent. A portion of the proceeds raised went to the non-profit organization "The Awesome Music Project" who uses music to help start important conversations around mental health, and the Groves Health Hubs.

Fergus Grand Theatre Box Office
244 St Andrew St, Fergus,
Ontario, Canada, N0B 1S0
Phone: 519.787.1981
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