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“The clown wasn’t in the scenes that were shot here, but there was a red balloon used in one of the scenes. When they were done shooting, some of the helium had come out and the balloon was left behind and was bobbing up and down in our driveway. My son ran out to play with it and I immediately warned him ‘don't touch that — it's not just any balloon.'"

The West Montrose Covered Bridge plays a large part in the historical significance of Waterloo Region. As the oldest and only remaining covered bridge in Ontario, the “Kissing Bridge” is a rare and cherished piece of Ontario history. Local historian Rych Mills explains why this bridge is significant to the region’s history.

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“The West Montrose Covered Bridge is one of the two great iconic symbols of Waterloo county region. That bridge was never destroyed by high winds or floods; it's a survivor. When people can put their hands on the bridge and drive through it, they fall in love with it. That's why it's popular. It gives you an experience beyond a picture.”

Last summer, film crews for It chose to shoot several of their scenes in southern Ontario. West Montrose, Port Hope and Elora became the backdrop for many sections during the film. Mills theorizes why the crew chose West Montrose Covered Bridge as one of their set pieces: “They likely chose that bridge for its dramatic look more than its historical significance. Having a clown in a covered bridge would be quite scary.”

The Kissing Bridge isn’t the only historical landmark featured in the It trailer as the Elora Quarry also makes a cameo within the preview for the movie. In one shot, the actors in the film jump into the quarry — an activity which in real life is frowned upon due to safety concerns.

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Ian Hunter photo

It’s unsure how much screen time will be devoted to these locations in the full-length movie. Regardless of how brief the scenes may be in the movie It, witnessing these local landmarks in a feature Hollywood film may pique the interest of local residents.

Especially in the case of the West Montrose Covered Bridge, visiting a beloved historical site is like being transported back in time. If anything, Brun hopes this film raises awareness for these historical sites and gives moviegoers a new appreciation for these local treasures.

“After watching the movie, people might Google the West Montrose Covered Bridge and they'll soon realize it's the last of its kind in Ontario. They really should come see it because it's an important part of Ontario’s history.”