Patrick County is “feeling the love” with the construction of its own LOVE sign, located at the Patrick County Branch Library, according to County Tourism Director Joseph Quesenberry.
Running with the theme of “Virginia is for lovers,” the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) created the initiative to prove that “LOVE is at the heart of every Virginia vacation.”
Now, Patrick County has joined 50 other localities across the state to create the 51st LOVE sign in Virginia.
The Patrick County Tourism Advisory Council (TAC) voted earlier this year to construct the sculpture, which measures nine feet in height, 16 feet in length, and is located on an 18-foot concrete pad with steps and an observation deck.
“This sign is truly one of the best in the state,” Quesenberry said. “The design was specifically designed to be emblematic of the county, incorporating our county logo with the sweeping lines of Bull Mountain over the top of the word LOVE, along with Patrick County spelled out in the rock façade.
“This was incredibly important in terms of our marketing campaign within social media outlets,” Quesenberry added.
Joanne Spangler, newly-elected chairman of TAC, sees great potential in the sign. “People plan vacations around the sites of the many LOVE signs around the state,” she said. “Although it may not be the main attraction we have to offer, our sign will certainly add a beautiful addition to an already beautiful county. We look forward to seeing its success in the coming months as it continues to spread across media outlets.”
The Town of Stuart Board of Zoning Appeals approved the sign and the Stuart Planning Commission offered a letter of recommendation, along with Rita D. McClenny, president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation.
The VTC also provided partial grant funding to assist in the cost of construction, which was done by Clark Brothers Construction of Stuart and Paul Clements LLC of Lynchburg.
“We encourage everyone to come out, take a photo with the sign, and show others what our small mountain community is really about: love,” Quesenberry said.
For more information, please contact the Patrick County Tourism Office by phone at 276-252-8190, or by e-mail at jquesenberry@co.patrick.va.us.
