The weather could not have been better on February 4th for the Lions Bay Torch Relay. The sun brought people out early to line the streets while enjoying the mascots and stilters and getting ribbons and memorabilia to welcome the imminent torch arrival. It was so impressive to see our community dressed up, tattoo's on faces, flags and hockey sticks in hand and kids jumping up and down. It was a momentous occasion to see that Olympic Torch burning through our streets and with Mary Comber Miles as one of our torch bearers. 
As Stuart Morton lead the people while playing his bagpipes, an impressive mass of about 1000 people moved towards the underpass. The famous First Nations carver, Klatle-Bhi Sam, brought us together in drumming and gave a blessing for the people of Lions Bay. Our Olympian MC’s, Margaret Langford, John Smart, Samantha Srigley and Meyrick Jones, inspired and kept us in the moment. Mayor Broughton pulled off an impressive bilingual welcome speech. Karen Fowlie and her band, performed, “This is the Time” which was written by Dr. Alex Tsisserev and Martin Berneburg specifically for this occasion. The music video produced by Steve Thackray was produced. The Circus Aerials, twirled from the underpass, as the stilters moved in celebration. It was wonderful to have the McPhee’s perform live while Richard Tickner and his entourage did a great shadow dance. Did anyone pick up on the political statement involving female ski jumpers? The Lions Bay children warmed our hearts and made their parents proud as they shared their hopes and wishes for the Olympics. The unveiling of the tile mural and cedar carving were magnificent and a wonderful legacy for the village of Lions Bay.
All in all, it was a great event, made possible by the volunteers and community spirit of Lions Bay and the generous contributions of our sponsors. Sponsors alone amounted to tens of thousands of dollars of equipment and services, thanks to Mark Berlet and William F White for Lighting, Western One, Super Save, Shaw Cable, Kiewit, Miller Capilano, BC Hydro. The event was funded by Grants from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & the Arts, 2010 Legacies Now, and community fundraisers, including the Traini’s wine fundraiser and silent auction and the Olympic Legacy Plaque organized by Michael Broughton.
Huge thanks to our volunteer gardeners who beautified our streets and pots and to Carmen Dickenson, Ken and Vera Mc Cullough for doing an outstanding job on the balloons. It was a pleasure and honour to work with such a talented event team, Sharon Stevens who handled production, Tina Taylor managing the event day, Trudi Luethy and her performance team, Michelle Osry and her MC team, Sarah Berneburg and her relay route team, Karen Fowlie and the band, the McPhee family, Darrel Loppe for all his work on the art pieces, Mike Santos who helped figure out the AV, Juliana Wade for the video footage, Ken Miskin & Michael Tickner for their artwork, Werner Nolte for signage, Bernadette Riedijk and Keiko Ando on the Olympic tent, the Yummy Mummy’s for their food, and our wonderful Mayor for all her support and hard work in making this day happen. Final thanks to the Lions Bay Fire Department, RCMP, the Lions Bay school and the Village staff and Works department who were so incredibly needed for traffic signage and equipment delivery. With 200 volunteers, it’s not possible to name everyone, but you will see the credit list rolling on the 1 hour show.
More information about where to view the one hour video about this event and Steve Thackray's music video will be posted on www.lionsbay.net soon.
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