TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay to Begin in Toronto on May 30
Pan Am flame will land in Canada with an arrival ceremony at Toronto’s waterfront and community celebration at The Distillery Historic District
Visiting more than 130 communities, the torch relay will be one of the most exciting events leading up to the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games. It’s a moment that all Canadians can be proud of, and an opportunity to bring people and communities together — a chance to inspire, engage and unite us all.
On Saturday, May 30, Day 1 of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay the Pan Am flame will arrive on Canadian soil to begin its 41-day journey.
The flame will be welcomed to Canada during a special ceremony as it travels by air, water and land at Toronto’s harbourfront. The relay’s first torchbearer will depart from the ceremony carrying the Pan Am flame, followed by several torchbearers who will carry it through the streets of Toronto en route to a community celebration in The Distillery Historic District. The first Canadian to walk in space, Col. Chris Hadfield, will be the final torchbearer of the day, carrying the flame into The Distillery Historic District to light the community cauldron.
Saturday, May 30, 2015 (Relay Day 1: Toronto, ON)
Canada Square, Harbourfront Centre – 2:30 p.m. (ET) (235 Queens Quay West, Toronto)
Flame arrival ceremony:
- The Pan Am flame will arrive in a lantern carried by Chris Rudge, TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015) Board of Directors.
- The flame will then be carried by Elder Garry Sault, Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, who will travel in a flotilla of canoes.
- Chief Bryan LaForme, Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, will receive the flame from Elder Sault, alongside Chief Ava Hill of Six Nations, Grand Chief Konrad Sioui of the Huron-Wendat Nation and President Gary Lipinski of the Métis Nation of Ontario.
- The ceremony will feature an exclusive soundscape produced by local musical director Andrew Craig and will include unique performances from Obeah Opera and other special guests.
- The first torchbearer of the relay will depart from the ceremony carrying the Pan Am flame.
The Distillery Historic District – 4 p.m. (ET) (55 Mill Street, Toronto)
Community celebration:
- The celebration will feature performances by the Gypsy Kumbia Orchestra, The Chimera Project, Dance Migration, Jasmine Denham and other special guests.
- First live performance of the official song of the Games.
- Flame will arrive at 5 p.m. carried by Col. Chris Hadfield, who will be the final Day 1 torchbearer.
SERVICE:
Pan Am Flame Arrival Ceremony
When:
2:30 p.m. (E.T.)
Where:
Canada Square
Harbourfront Centre
235 Queens Quay West
Toronto, ON
Community Celebration
When:
4 p.m. (E.T.)
Pan Am flame will arrive at 5 p.m.
Where:
The Distillery District
55 Mill Street
Toronto, ON
