The Olympic Torch is coming to Calgary on January 18th. To commemorate its return to the city, a number of celebrations have been planned.
On Wednesday, Mayor Dave Bronconnier along with three-time Olympic medalist and Honourary Chair, Calgary Olympic Torch Celebration, Susan Auch, announced details of the festivities that are set to take place January 16th to 20th.
On January 16th, a free outdoor music festival called "Snowblower" will take place from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Olympic Plaza. The event will include international electronic musicians, fire performances, and light displays.
For more information on Snowblower, click here.
The torch arrives in Calgary January 18th.
The relay will begin at Macleod Trail and Southland Drive at around 4:10 p.m.
Torchbearers will then carry the flame north on Macleod Trail to 17th Avenue SW where it should arrive at roughly 6:07 p.m.
The route will then wind north on 14th Street, east on 9th Avenue, and will arrive at Olympic Plaza around 7 p.m. where a massive celebration will already be underway.
For more details on the route, click here.
The party at Olympic Plaza runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will include live entertainment including music by Terri Clark and Crystal Plamondon, dancers, painters and other performers. Calgary Olympic champions from past Olympic Games will be in attendance. The cauldron will also be lit in honour of the 21st Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.
"I invite Calgarians to come out and welcome the torch as it once again lights up our city," said Mayor Bronconnier. "Wear your Olympic gear and join your fellow Calgarians as we rekindle the community spirit that ignited the '88 Olympics and makes the Olympics a shared and memorable event."
On January 19th, two-time Olympic gold medalist Catriona Le May Doan will host a special celebration at the Olympic Oval beginning at 8:30 a.m. At that time, Susan Auch will carry the torch around the Oval on speed skates before handing it over to up-an-coming Canadian speed skater Kyle Yoshida who will also take a lap around the ice with the torch. The event wraps up at 11 a.m.
On January 20th, the Olympic Torch Relay will visit Canada Olympic Park where a number of festivities are planned starting with a pancake breakfast at 7:30 a.m.
For more information on the event at COP, click here.
Many other events are planned to take place January 16th to 20th. More details are expected to be released in the coming week.
For more information on the Olympic Torch festivities, click here.