Olympic torch celebration rained in

Rain didn't put out the flame of Port aux Basques' community spirit, even if it forced the Olympic torch celebration indoors. Mayor Brian Button told the crowd gathered in the fire hall on Wharf Road on Nov. 15 that only Port aux Basques could turn the torch relay celebration into a giant shed party.

Olympic Torch Relay Chair Jim Richards said the town made it a "truly memorable event," adding with a smile "imagine a torch event in a fire hall."

Mr. Richards said the rain - some 60 millimetres of it that fell on the gateway town that day - was unfortunate. However, he praised the local organizers for being quick to respond to the change in plans.

The decision to move ahead with the outdoor event was made by representatives of the torch relay earlier in the day.

By the time they realized the driving rain wasn't going to let up, it was too late to move the celebration to the Bruce II Sports Centre, which was the secondary site suggested by the local organizing committee.

Andrew Parsons, chair of the local committee, said the numbers of people who came out showed the Olympic spirit is alive in Port aux Basques, despite the weather.

"I was so impressed by the amount of energy generated by local people," he said. "As we tend to do here, we turned tough circumstances into something special, something positive."

The rain took out the power and PA system at the outdoor site around 7 p.m., about 30 minutes before the torch was due to arrive. A quick move to the nearby fire hall was the best, last option.

"Through the efforts of the local volunteers and the town staff, we made it into a great event," said Mr. Parsons. "Seeing the torch was a very uplifting moment for anyone who was there."

Special guest Miss Teen Newfoundland Chelsea Squires agreed. In her remarks at the ceremony she said everyone there was part of the 2010 Olympics. She added the Olympic spirit is the same "whether you're in the biggest venue in Vancouver or a fire hall in Port aux Basques."

editor@gulfnews.ca

• 
• 
• View the gallery