Olympic Torch Relay Celebrations across the Boundary
By Boundary Sentinel
The Olympic Torch Relay is travelling through the Boundary region on Sunday, Jan. 24. Communities from Christina Lake through to Rock Creek received funding to host celebrations as the torch passes by. While Christina Lake, Greenwood, Midway and Rock Creek are designated route communities, Grand Forks is an official rest stop. The torch will stay in Grand Forks for 45 minutes as the torch-bearer Jock MacKay circles the park on his snowshoes and fireworks are set off. Entertainment is planned in all the communities during Sunday afternoon so families and friends can have a day of fun. The convoy is presently on schedule within 10 minutes each side of the ETA time. Spectators are asked to line the route on the right hand side (heading west) as there will be no road closures and the best view will be beside the travel lane. Show your Canadian spirit and wear your RED MITTENS or purchase your Olympic momentum mittens from the Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce at 442-2833.
Christina Lake is hosting their Winterfest starting on Jan. 22 and running through the weekend in conjunction with the torch relay. The torch will pass through the Lake between 2:00 and 2:30 p.m.
The torchbearer’s ETA is 2:45 p.m. in Grand Forks. Entertainment in Grand Forks starts on Saturday, Jan. 23 as the snow sculpting contest takes place in City Park hosted by Les Johnson of What’s Up in Grand Forks? On Sunday, celebrations start at 2:00 p.m. with displays of the Celebrate the Possible DVD presentation, Spirit of BC song and the participant’s logbook “Capture the Moment” is unveiled for everyone in attendance to record their names in the pages of history. This log will be presented to the local museum as a lasting legacy. Entertainment continues as Mayor Brian Taylor welcomes the spectators and the Perley School Bell Ringers chime the day open. Other entertainers through the day include (in order): USCC Russian Doukhobor Choir, the Grand Forks Choral Society, the arrival of the convoy with the Grand Forks Pipes & Drums as they proceed to the celebration site in City Park, Sopranos & Company Youth Choir under the direction of Joan Thompson will sing the National Anthem in both official languages, and the Grand Forks Rotary Club fireworks display as the Grand Forks Torchbearer Jock Mackay circles the park on the Trans Canada Trail, the Boundary All Nations Aboriginal Council and the Boundary Metis Community hand drumming group, Granby Dance Studio’s Irish Dancers, Granby Dance Studio’s Folklore dancers, and Les Folles Jambettes cancan dancers will close the day.
Greenwood will celebrate with a Community Olympic Torch Soiree. The Soiree is already sold out and is sponsored by the Friends of the Greenwood Improvement Society. Everyone is invited to line the streets as the torch passes through Greenwood at approximately 4:30 p.m. The soiree starts at 6:00 p.m. at McArthur Centre.
Midway will see the torch between 4:45 and 5:00 p.m. but the entertainment starts with family games, snow sculpting, hot dogs and hot chocolate at the Entwined Trees Park and beside the heritage schoolhouse. Snow sculpting is scheduled to begin Saturday, Jan. 23 and games will start around 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 24. The community hall is home to a family dinner at 6:00 p.m. after the torch has passed through. Check at the village office, The Spot, the library or McMynn’s for dinner tickets only $2.
The last on the route through the Boundary will be Rock Creek. Celebrations start at 4:00 p.m. beside the Rock Creek Trading Post with games at Olson Park followed by entertainment and a free supper. There will be door prizes from local businesses and artisans and the festivities last until 6:00 p.m.
