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Mayor Larry Kraemer tries out the cheer sticks
The Olympic torch is coming through Kincardine and Tiverton on
Monday, Dec. 28, but it'll be quick, so if you want to see it, make sure
you're in downtown Kincardine or Tiverton at the appropriate times, says
Steve Murray, manager of economic development and tourism.
Speaking to Kincardine council Wednesday night (Dec. 16), Murray said
the Olympic torch and its entourage will travel Highway 21 and stop at
Russell Street. Kincardine will have exactly one minute of glory at
Huron Heights Public School to welcome the torch before the torchbearers
start running or walking along Russell Street to Victoria Park, then
along Queen Street through the downtown to Broadway and stopping around
William Street. That section runs 3:59-4:21 p.m.
The torch is then packed up and travels to Tiverton where the
torchbearers begin carrying it near Bumpers Pizza, through the village
to the Tiverton Sports Centre entrance. That section runs 4:32-4:41 p.m.
From there, the torch heads to Saugeen Shores for the next leg of the
run.
Murray said that with the torch comes the entourage which includes
Olympic vehicles, RCMP officers, the RBC celebration truck and the
Coca-Cola truck which hands out fibre-optic Coke bottles. The
municipality has purchased two Inukshuks, the symbol of the Olympics, to
be displayed in Kincardine and Tiverton, and various promotional items
to be used to generate excitement for the torch's arrival.
The downtown cores and both arenas have 10 posters displayed, created by
staff, celebrating the top 10 Canadian Winter Olympics moments, said
Murray. Also, the municipality will enjoy a rare winter appearance from
members of the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band.
"We're treating this more as a parade day rather than a huge community
event because of the unpredictability of the weather this time of year,"
said Murray. "We are also hosting the Silver Stick tournament at both
local arenas."
He held up some cheer sticks which volunteers will be handing out to the
crowd just prior to the arrival of the torch, and then handed them to
mayor Larry Kraemer to try out.
Murray said the torch is currently travelling through Kingston. A week
ago it was welcomed at the House of Commons in Ottawa where every Member
of Parliament stood and cheered, "Go Canada Go!"
He urged everyone to come out and see the torch. "It's a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," he said. The torch relay is 100 days in
length and is in stopping in 1,000 communities during its cross-Canada
run. Nearly 200 celebrations will be hosted by communities in every
province and territory. About 90 per cent of Canada's population will be
within a one-hour drive of experiencing the Olympic flame.
The torch will travel more than 45,000 kilometres, including a planned
visit to Alert, Nunavut, the northernmost permanently inhabited
community in the world. There are 12,000 people who have the honour of
being an Olympic torchbearer, carrying the flame to Vancouver. Each one
carries the torch for 300 metres.
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Steve Murray, manager of economic development and
tourism, talks to council about the Olympic torch relay through
Kincardine
Murray said during the run through the municipality, The
Coast Radio will be playing the top 50 songs of all time, Cruise Night
volunteers will be helping out, the Bruce Bar and Grill and the Tiverton
Arena will be handing out hot chocolate.
Meanwhile, he also encourages people to take part in the
house-decorating contest, with $500 in prizes donated by Kincardine Home
Hardware. "Put a jersey on a snowman and show your support for Team
Canada," he said.
The municipality is also looking for few more volunteers to hand out
promotional items and move barricades. If you can help, call the tourism
office at 519-396-2731. Each volunteer receives a pair of the red
Olympics mittens.
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