Olympic Torch Relay

The Olympic Flame has long been a symbol of the Olympic Games. But it is also a symbol of peace and friendship, of inspiration and passion and, above all, it is a symbol of unity. The 2010 Olympic Torch will be carried by thousands of Canadians, of all ages and all cultural backgrounds, reaching people in over 1,000 communities across the nation.

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is honoured to be one of those 1,000 Canadian communities that will host the Olympic Flame as it travels from coast to coast to coast in the 106 days leading up to the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Games. The Olympic Torch Relay, presented by Coca-Cola and RBC and supported by the Government of Canada, represents an extraordinary opportunity to unify not only our community but all Canadians, generating tremendous pride in our nation while truly celebrating the coming of the Games.

As the Flame winds its way across the country in the longest national Olympic Torch Relay ever, it will ignite the anticipation that will grow to incredible heights as all of us prepare to welcome the Flame and showcase the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo to Canada and the world. Our community represents a dynamic and modern culture rooted deeply in the history of its people and expressed through the many talents and achievements of our citizens.

We encourage all of you to get involved, to celebrate the possible - past, present and future - inspired by the spirit of the Games. All of us will be brought together by the power of the Olympic Flame to celebrate this once-in-a-generation opportunity. The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo's participation in the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay will certainly stand out as a memory to last a lifetime for us.

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo will be hosting our community celebration at MacDonald Island Park on November 6th, 2009.

Schedule of Events

• 12:00 p.m. - Gates open at MacDonald Island Park for Community Celebration
• 12:30 p.m. - Free Concert by Aaron Lines and Paul Brandt. Featuring local cultural entertainers such as Randy Marten and Fort Chipewyan Aboriginal drummers and dancers, Nicely Put Together, the Aurora Youth Choir, and a cultural dance routine featuring the Hindu Association, East Indian Dancers, the Highland Dance Society, Salsa Pa’ti, and the Belly Dancing Academy.
• 2:00 p.m. - Olympic Torch arrives at Fort McMurray Airport
• 2:15 p.m. - VANOC Show featuring local performers starts at MacDonald Island Park
• 2:45 p.m. - Olympic Torch Relay Starts at Composite High School on King Street
• 3:30 p.m. - Olympic Torch arrives at MacDonald Island for lighting of the cauldron
• 4:15 p.m. - Community Celebration ends

• Volunteer Registration Form

News

• Free transit for all residents to celebrate the Olympic Torch Relay
• Road Closure Information
• Elsie Yanik announced as Wood Buffalo’s final Olympic Torch Bearer
• Olympic Torch Relay celebration to include Paul Brandt and Fort McMurray’s Aaron Lines
• Be a part of history by volunteering for the Olympic Torch Relay

Links

• Vancouver 2010
• About the Olympic Torch Relay
• The National Route
• Olympic Torch Relay Community Listing for Fort McMurray