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January 18, 2010
(Red Deer, Alberta) On Friday, January 15, thousands of people lined the streets of Red Deer, with glowing hearts, and an estimated 15,000 people flooded the Westerner Park parking lot, for the celebration of the Olympic Torch’s arrival to Red Deer - all in an effort to be a part of Olympic history.
The torch started its journey through Red Deer with Landon Haigh, Red Deer’s first torchbearer leaving the steps of Red Deer College. The torch then wound its way to the Westerner Park parking lot where people of all ages anticipated the Olympic Torch’s arrival and the reveal of the final torchbearer – mentor, volunteer, and community builder, Ron Woodward.
Red Deer’s Olympic Torch Relay Task Force Chairperson Lyn Radford said, “Ron is an integral member of this community. I can’t think of a more deserving person to have the honour of being the final torchbearer.”
Woodward was hand-picked by the local task force to carry the torch the final 300 metres where he was escorted on stage by 34 Flames of the Future – elementary, middle, high school, and college students. Woodward, in summarizing his experience, said, “My experience of carrying the torch can’t be measured in 300 metres alone; it has been such an incredible journey. The power of the Olympic flame is eternal, and I will remember that moment forever.”
“Like many other celebration communities, we planned an exciting final leg of the torch relay,” said Radford. Along its Canadian journey, the torch encountered the creativity of the community planners capturing their local cultures. So far, it has surfed to shore, travelled in a miner’s lantern on an airplane and in a canoe, rode a mountain bike, glowed atop a lighthouse, rode on a dogsled, snow-shoed, slid on a curling rink and now, by horse and buggy - a means significant to all central Alberta’s history.
Everyone in attendance witnessed the lighting of Red Deer’s celebration cauldron, designed to mimic the eventual torch lighting in Vancouver on February 12.
“Months of planning have paid off,” said Radford. “Our goal was aligned with the Vancouver Olympic Committee’s (VANOC) vision to connect and inspire, which is exactly what we experienced Friday night.”
The Olympic Torch Relay event was free, and everyone was invited. Hundreds signed our community banner sending well-wishes to our Olympians participating in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. The four-hour event at the Westerner Park parking lot showcased an exciting lineup of entertainment including Alberta’s acclaimed country singer Corb Lund, and sponsored shows from official Olympic sponsors RBC and Coke. Special guests including Olympians Jamie Sale and Deidra Dionne and local dignitaries including Mayor Morris Flewwelling.
“The torch relay gave us an exciting opportunity to support our local Olympians and to provide Red Deerians with a very real connection to the Olympics. It was definitely a barn burner—a night to remember,” said Flewwelling.
“Our plan was to have a line-up of activities for all ages, and I feel confident we delivered on that commitment”, said Radford. “The evening was complete with entertainment, concessions and fireworks. Park N Ride served a dual purpose,” said Radford. “With limited parking at the event venue, it provided a way for everyone to participate. Another one of our goals was to keep the event as ‘green’ as possible. Park N Ride was a perfect fit to help us achieve that goal. As well, many people ‘lugged their mug’ for hot chocolate, limiting disposable cups and less impact on our footprint.”
Radford wraps up, “Friday night, the Olympic torch lit up Red Deer and warmed the hearts of Central Albertans. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience this type of celebration.”
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For more information, please contact:
Lyn Radford
Chair, Red Deer Olympic Torch Relay Task Force Chairperson
403.343.0551 or lradford@shaw.ca
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