Oakville residents are invited to ignite their community spirit as the Pan Am flame travels through Oakville on Tuesday, June 23 ending with a free community celebration in Centennial Square from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
“Oakville is excited to be a part of the Pan Am Games journey,” said Mayor Rob Burton. “I encourage residents to join in the celebration and help cheer on our community’s Pan Am torchbearers and local athletes who are competing in this international event.”
Residents are encouraged to cheer on the Pan Am torchbearers along the route. The relay begins at 3:50 p.m. on Dorval Drive at Lakeshore Road and will travel east on Lakeshore Road to Shipyard Park where torchbearer Camille Looper of the Burloak Canoe Club will board a war canoe and paddle up Sixteen Mile Creek to the docks of the club. Back on land, community torchbearer Lynn Petruskavich will carry the flame into Centennial Square at approximately 4:45 p.m. After a brief stop in the square, the flame will make its way east on Lakeshore Road to Burgundy Drive completing its Oakville route before traveling to Brampton.
Centennial Square will come alive with Pan Am spirit and plenty of entertainment including sports displays by the Oakville Soccer and Basketball Clubs, cultural performances by the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton, a Road to the Podium community chalk art mural, the singing of “O Canada” by 13-year-old Abbey McCay, and a musical performance by JUNO award-winning Canadian Aboriginal singer Susan Aglukark.
The town received $5,000 to help fund the community celebration event through the Government of Ontario’s Torch Relay Community Grant program.
The Pan Am Games Torch Relay, presented by President’s Choice® and OLG will end its 41-day journey in Toronto on July 10, 2015 when it lights the cauldron at the opening ceremony, signifying the start of the TORONTO2015 Pan Am Games.
Information on the Oakville celebration is available at oakville.ca, or visit toronto2015.org/torch-relay to follow the torch relay.