KL Torch Video (click here)
The Olympic Flame comes to Kirkland Lake on New Year’s Day as part of the Olympic Torch Relay presented by
RBC and Coca-Cola.
The Kirkland Lake Festivals Committee and a local Olympic Torch Task Force are combining forces to host a
massive midday celebration from Noon-2 pm on January 1, 2010 outdoors at Hockey Heritage North. The Olympic
Flame is expected to arrive at HHN at approximately 1:15 pm.
Entertainment: The celebration features the premiere of the Kirkland Lake Torch Video on the big
screen outdoors at Hockey Heritage North plus plenty of live entertainment including:
Jamie Taylor & Rockslide
Corey Taylor
Pascal Boucher
Lori Carter Kasner & Bailey Kasner
Graham Ghent & Kirkland Lake Children’s Choir
Ensemble Melodia & KLDCS Choir conducted by Paul Benndyk
Shuttle Buses: Torch Celebration Shuttle Buses will run on New Year’s Day from 11 am-2:30 pm to
and from the following parking locations:
Canadian Tire
Kirkland Lake Mall
Veteran’s Affairs Canada
Pettenuzzo’s YIG
R&R Towing and Service
& former Don Lou parking lot
No Parking on Government Road:
Please note that parking will not be permitted along the torch relay route in Kirkland Lake. No parking is allowed on Government Road between Northern College and Hockey Heritage North until after 2 pm on New Year’s Day. Vehicles parked along the torch route are expected to be towed.
If you are attending the celebration at HHN, please use the parking lots listed above. If you are
watching the relay travel through downtown Kirkland Lake, please park on a nearby street.
Area for People with Disabilities:
There are designated areas at the celebration site for people with disabilities. Please ask a volunteer
worker at the site for assistance. There will be complimentary transportation available for people with
disabilities. To arrange pick-up & drop-off, please email:
klfestivals@hotmail.com
Torch Relay Details:
The task force for Kirkland Lake recently announced that 16 year old swimmer Sammy Desjardins will be the final torchbearer and will light the cauldron on New Year’s Day. Desjardins is a Grade 10 student at KLDCS who has used her disability as an inspiration. In addition, several local residents will take part in the relay. The torch run participants were selected by RBC and Coke through online applications.
An 18 x 8.5 metre stage will be assembled at Hockey Heritage North for the festivities. RBC, Coca-Cola and the Government of Canada will have special interactive displays, events and entertainment as part of the celebration. The event will feature the Vancouver International Olympic Committee’s traveling torch relay program combined with local performers, videos and presentations.
The KL Festivals Committee and the local Olympic Torch Task Force are coordinating the celebration. Local O.P.P. have volunteered their time to assist with the operation of this massive event.
The 2010 Olympic Torch Relay began its 106-day Canadian journey on October 30, 2009. The Flame’s pan-Canadian journey will culminate on February 12, 2010 when it arrives in Vancouver for the Opening Ceremony before a global viewing audience of billions. The complete torch relay route can be accessed via the website link on this page.
The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay route will be the longest domestic Torch Relay in Olympic history, stretching over 45,000 kilometres throughout Canada. Upon its conclusion, the Olympic Flame will have been welcomed in over 1,000 communities and passed within a one-hour of more than 90 per cent of the entire Canadian population.
Online Links:
Olympic Torch Relay
2010 Vancouver Games
Kirkland Lake Festivals Committee
Hockey Heritage North
RBC Carry The Torch
Coke Olympics Website
Countdown to Torch’s Arrival in KL:
event: Official Announcement
date: Nov 21/08
location: KL Town Hall
announcement: KL selected as Celebration Site
event: Daily Radio Countdown
dates: Nov 16-Dec 31
station: CJKL FM
details: Torch Relay Updates
event: Presentation to Council
date: Tue Nov 17/09
time: 4:40 pm
location: KL Council Chambers
event: Final Torchbearer Announcement
date: Wed Nov 18/09
location: KLDCS
media announcement: Nov 19
event: Elementary School Visits
date: Thu Nov 19/09
schools: Central, Federal, St Jerome & Sacred Heart
details: free prizes
event: Red Mitten Radio Giveaways
dates: Nov 23-Dec 24/09
station: CJKL FM
daily giveaway: Red Mittens & KL Torch Pin
secret word of day: on klfestivals.com
contest info: listen to CJKL FM
event: 1-Day Festivals Sale
date: Thu Nov 26/09
time: 6-9 pm
location: complex lobby
including: red mittens, KL torch pins, event tickets
event: Santa Claus Parade
theme: Santa Brings The Olympics To KL
date: Fri Nov 27/09
time: 7 pm
location: downtown KL
paint the town red: please wear red
event: Torch Run Free Family Skate
wear red: Paint The Town Red
date: Sun Dec 20/09
time: 4-6 pm
location: complex free prizes: red mittens & more details: please wear red
event: Olympic Torch Celebration
date: Fri Jan 1/10
time: Noon-2
location: outdoors at HHN
