Spirit of BC - Hope Region volunteers are hard at work setting final plans for the arrival of the Olympic torch in Hope, Sunday, February 7th.
Over a thousand lanterns were built in a series of 16 workshops throughout the region to light up the torch’s route.
Now all organizers need is for the public dressed in Canada’s colours of red and white to show up at the Hope Legion hall, starting at 7 a.m., to help carry the lanterns and light the way to the Olympics.
As the torch enters the community of Hope along Old Hope Princeton Way and down Sixth Avenue, in celebration of their sport, members of the Hope Curling Club and their guests attending the Women’s curling bonspiel that weekend will greet the torch waving flags and their curling brooms high in the air.
“Two teams are coming in from Seattle for the bonspiel and they are pretty excited that they will be apart of the torch run,” says Spirit of B.C. committee co-chair Kate Zabell.
Just next door to the Hope Curling Club, hockey players at the Hope Minor Hockey Pee Wee tournament are also expected to fill the sidewalk along Sixth Avenue cheering on the torch runners as they pass by the Hope Arena.
Torch run tentative schedule:
7:00 a.m. - Free light breakfast with performances,
7:15 a.m. - Let’s Get Fired Up!
7:30 a.m. - First Nations welcome,
8:00 a.m. - Live music,
8:40 a.m. - Lantern and flag parade to Wallace St.,
9:00 a.m. - Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch runners to arrive,
9:15 a.m. - Mayor French and guests welcome the torch’s arrival at the District Hall before leaving along Water Street and proceeding down Highway 7.
9:30 a.m. - Public is welcomed back to the Hope Legion to enjoy the music of the HSS jazz band and the chance meet the local torchbearers.
1 p.m. - Torch arrives at Chilliwack Landing Leisure Centre as the region’s designated Celebration Community.
Two more sports opportunities brought to the region by the Spirit of B.C. committee include a bus trip for 45 clients of Tillicum Centre and Hope Community Services to see the Russia versus U.S.A. women’s hockey game on February 16th.
The grant covering the bus and ticket costs are part of Olympic organizers efforts to make the games as open and available to those who may not otherwise be able to afford to attend.
“I think it will be a great game to see,” adds Spirit of B.C. committee co-chair Inge Wilson.
Thanks as well to the committee and the Chawathil First Nations, tickets have also been granted for 45 First Nations youth to attend a sledge hockey game during the Paralympics.
For more information on the Hope Olympic torch run events call the Hope Visitor Centre at 604-869-2021.