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January 13, 2010
(Red Deer, Alberta) – The identity of Red Deer’s final torchbearer will be kept under wraps as the local Olympic Torch Relay Task Force gears up for Red Deer’s community celebration this Friday, January 15 at Westerner Park.
“Anticipation is building about the torch relay community celebration and the identity of the final torchbearer,” said Lyn Radford, Red Deer Olympic Torch Relay Task Force Chairperson. “Our task force has chosen not to reveal who the final torchbearer is, except to say it is one of Central Alberta’s community builders who will carry the torch during the final 300 meters.”
The final torchbearer will be escorted by 34 Flames of the Future – elementary, middle, high school and college students. The torchbearer will light Red Deer’s celebration cauldron, which is designed to mimic the eventual torch lighting in Vancouver on February 12.
Along its Canadian Journey, the Olympic torch 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 and slid on a curling rink. “On day 78 of its journey, Red Deer will ignite the Olympic flame in a whole new way, and it will be a moment to remember for years to come,” said Radford.
Everyone is welcome to attend the community celebration, which kicks off at 5 p.m. in the south parking lot at Westerner Park. Activities will include everything from a performance from Alberta’s acclaimed alternative country star Corb Lund to well known local entertainers. It is a free event, and everyone is invited.
Onsite parking at Westerner Park is limited; however, Park N Ride services are available from two locations: the northeast parking lot at Parkland Mall and Notre Dame High School. People who need barrier free Park N Ride services are asked to go to Notre Dame High School. All Park N Ride services will run from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m.
People who want to see the Olympic flame on its way to Westerner Park can line the west side of Gaetz Avenue between 32 Street and 19 Street from 6:25 to 6:50 p.m. Onlookers should use crosswalks to cross Gaetz Avenue and must refrain from standing on the median. This viewing site is not recommended for children under 15 years old.
Visit www.reddeer.ca for a route map or more information about the Olympic Torch Relay Community 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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