Rocky Mount to unveil LoveWorks Sign

ROCKY MOUNT, Va. – Rocky Mount will join the growing ranks of Virginia localities signing love for tourism and an appreciation for visitors.

The Town will unveil its LoveWorks sign at the downtown Farmers Market on September 17 with a ceremony starting at 5 p.m. The sign itself will be unveiled at approximately 5:30. The town has invited food, drink and dessert vendors to be a part of the celebration.

LoveWorks signs are an initiative of the Virginia Tourism Corporation, and have become popular spots for tourists to take pictures commemorating their visits to communities. Each community has a different LOVE sign with local flair, demonstrating elements of history, culture, heritage and community pride.

Rocky Mount’s sign has been in the works for several years, and incorporates elements of Franklin County history and its modern attractions. Virginia Tourism Corporation provided a $1,500 grant to fund the sign, with the remainder coming from

Rocky Mount’s tourism and branding budget funded by the local lodging tax. The sign was a joint collaboration by former Town Planner Josh Gibson and the current Town Planner Jessica Heckman, and brought to completion by Heckman, with guidance from the Rocky Mount Economic Development Authority, the Rocky Mount Planning Commission and Rocky Mount Town Council.

The sign is part of the Town’s larger public arts initiative, which includes statues, murals, barn quilts, drain paintings and other artistic expressions to tie in to the Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount’s major tourism draw.

“We invite the public to be a part of this dedication, to help us celebrate the
great history and heritage of Rocky Mount through public art,” said Heckman.