Last night the Olympic Torch Relay probably met its largest audience yet. Surrey opened their Celebration Site with the lighting of the cauldron by Daniel Igali, who ran the last leg of the day with the flame.
My sister said it was absolutely filled with people, which made it hard to see the events at times, but the kids had a blast and the place had a great vibe.
I was up at 4:30 this morning to do an interview with WNYC in New York and now I’m heading out to Surrey (with John Biehler) for the second leg of the Torch Relay out there. Since I’ll be following the relay in a GM vehicle, I thought I would pull my tweets into this blog post so that it updates in real-time. I’ll then have a full recap posted later today.
See you in Surrey!
Update: We had an amazing time on the torch relay. Children chanting “Go Canada!”, veteran Olympic spectators showing off their pins and swag from Calgary ’88, school groups with banners, flags waving, and a whole lot of spirit.
John took the following video along out route:
Here’s a slideshow of all my photos:
And here’s a slideshow set to music that I edited together hastily:
We rode behind the caravan of Coca-Cola trucks and the volunteer bus as it dropped torchbearers off at their starting locations. The relay would then follow behind us by about 10 minutes.
Hugs, laughter, and even a few tears — this was one of the most amazing Vancouver 2010 experiences for me and even describing it now gives me goosebumps. Way to go Delta and Surrey, you guys have a lot of spirit and it certainly showed.
Big thanks to GM Canada for inviting us along on the ride and to Art who has had an amazing journey across the country with this relay. 220 people make this thing happen every day and they’ve been at it for 103 days now. Cheers to the torch relay teams.
Some of the images are blurry as we were in a moving vehicle but I just couldn’t help but post them. You can view the rest of my photos on Flickr.
Activities:
4D theatre experience (6 minute video about Ontario)
3D televisions (no goggles needed)
Video game on the 3D TVs developed by Sheridan students
Visits from Ontario Athletes
4D Theatre Goggles – Photo credit: John Biehler on Flickr
We had a fantastic time at the pavilion today and we even got to control the lights on the CN Tower live by using brainwaves (very cool).
They have a full menu filled with Ontario treats from roast duck and maple cheddar to cheesecake on a stick. Their beer selections are mighty tasty and include an organic choice. All plates, cups and utensils are also made of biodegradable material and they really encourage you recycle and use the organics bin.
I’ve only been to a few pavilions so far but Ontario is leading the pack when it comes to food, drinks, and all-round cool (okay well, geeky) things to do. You can check out my pavilions map to see the exact location and follow them on Twitter @EventsOntario.
Friday February 12, 2010
Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
11am – 3pm video highlights
3pm – 5:30pm DJ, Five Alarm Funk
6pm – 2am Opening Ceremonies, The Odds, Club – DJ
Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 6:00pm Jack Semple & The Free Style Boogie Band
6pm – Opening Ceremony
7:30pm – Jack Semple, Mobadass, Def 3
Ontario House
11am – 6pm Signature Event
6pm – 8pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: Bedouin Soundclash, Transition
Saturday February 13, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
12pm – 2:30pm Sweden – Switzerland Women’s hockey
5pm – 7:30pm Canada – Slovakia Women’s hockey
9pm – 2am Live act BNL, Club DJ
Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm Jack Semple, Megan Lane
9pm Mobadass
11pm Def 3
Ontario House
11:30am – 4pm Signature Event
7pm – 8:30pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: Downchild Blues Band, Transition
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Sunday February 14, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
12pm – 2:30pm USA vs. China Women’s hockey
4:30pm – 7pm Finland vs. Russia Women’s hockey
7pm – 2am DJ, Five Alarm Funk
Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm Jack Semple, Megan Lane
9pm Skavenjah
11pm Def 3
Ontario House
11:30am – 6pm Signature Event
6pm – 8pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: Keshia Chante, Transition
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Monday February 15, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
2:30pm – 5pm Switzerland vs. Canada Women’s hockey
6pm – 7pm The Odds
9:30pm – 2am Tom Cochrane, Club DJ
Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm The True Jive Pluckers, Andrea Menard, Jack Semple
9pm Skavenjah
11pm Jack Semple
Ontario House
11:30am – 6pm Signature Event
6pm – 8pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: Swing Serena Ryder, Transition
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Tuesday February 16, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
12pm – 2:30pm USA vs. Switzerland Men’s hockey
4:30pm – 7pm Canada vs. Norway Men’s hockey
9:30pm – 2am Five Alarm Funk, Club DJ
Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm The True Jive Pluckers, Andrea Menard, Jack Semple
9pm Skavenjah
11pm Jack Semple
Ontario House
11:30am – 6pm Signature Event
6pm – 8pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: Elliot Brood, Transition
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Wednesday February 17, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
12pm – 2:30pm Finland vs. Belarus Men’s hockey
2:30pm – 5pm Canada vs. Sweden Men’s hockey
9:30pm – 2am Hockey Oke w/The Odds, Club DJ
Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm The True Jive Pluckers, Jack Semple
9pm Jason Plum
11pm Ultimate Power Duo
Ontario House
11:30am – 6pm Signature Event
6pm – 8pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: Arkells, Transition
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Thursday February 18, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
12pm – 2:30pm USA vs. Norway Men’s hockey
4:30pm – 7pm Switzerland vs. Canada Men’s hockey
8:30pm – 2am Dudes, George Canyon, Club DJ
Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm Regina Riot, Jack Semple
9pm Jason Plumb
11pm Ultimate Power Duo
Ontario House
11:30am – 6pm Signature Event
6pm – 8pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: Jully Black, Transition
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Friday February 19, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
12pm – 2:30pm Belarus vs. Sweden Men’s hockey
4:30pm – 7pm Czech Republic vs. Latvia Men’s hockey
9pm – 2am Fight Reel, Five Alarm Funk, Club DJ
Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm Regina Riot, Jack Semple
9pm Donny Parenteau
11pm Ultimate Power Duo
Ontario House
11:30am – 6pm Signature Event
6pm – 8pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: The Constantines, Transition
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Saturday February 20, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
12pm – 2:30pm Norway vs. Switzerland Men’s hockey
7pm – 9:30pm PO2 Women’s hockey
9:30pm – 2am Comedy Night in Canada, Club DJ
Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm Regina Riot, Jack Semple, Donny Parenteau
9pm Library Voices
11pm Jack Semple
Ontario House
11:30am – 6pm Signature Event
6pm – 8pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: TBA, Transition
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Sunday February 21, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
12pm – 2:30pm Russia vs. Czech Republic Men’s hockey
4:30pm – 7pm Canada vs. USA Men’s hockey
9:30pm – 2am Wide Mouth, Club DJ
Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm Jack Semple, La Raquette a Claquettes, Donny Parenteau
9pm Library Voices
11pm Jack Semple
Ontario House
11:30am – 6pm Signature Event
6pm – 8pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: Great Lake Swimmers, Transition
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Monday February 22, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
12pm – 2:30pm Semi-Final 1 Women’s hockey
5pm – 7:30pm Semi-Final 2 Women’s hockey
9:30pm – 2am Five Alarm Funk, Club DJ
Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm Jack Semple, La Raquette a Claquettes, Donny Parenteau
9pm Library Voices
11pm Jack Semple
Ontario House
11:30am – 6pm Signature Event
6pm – 8pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: Alex J. Robinson & The Junction, Transition
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Tuesday February 23, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
12pm – 2:30pm QP1 Men’s hockey
4:30pm – 7pm QP2 Men’s hockey
9:30pm – 2am Sam Roberts, Club DJ
Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm Donny Parenteau, Jack Semple, La Raquette a Claquettes
9pm Kyle Riabko
11pm Jack Semple
Ontario House
11:30am – 6pm Signature Event
6pm – 8pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: Nadjiwan, Transition
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Wednesday February 24, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
12pm – 2:30pm QF1 Men’s hockey
4:30pm – 7pm QF2 Men’s hockey
9pm – 2am QF4 Men’s Hockey, Five Alarm, Club DJ
Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm Whitefish Juniors, Jason Plumb, Jack Semple
9pm Kyle Riabko
11pm Jack Semple
Ontario House
11:30am – 6pm Signature Event
6pm – 8pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
9pm – 2am Performances: Justin Hines, Damien Robitaille, God Made Me Funky
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Thursday February 25, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
11am – 1:30pm Bronze Medal Women’s hockey
3:30pm – 6pm Gold Medal Women’s hockey
9pm – 2am QF4 Guest Band TBD, Club DJ
Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm Whitefish Juniors, Jason Plumb, Jack Semple
9pm Kyle Riabko
11pm Jack Semple
Ontario House
11:30am – 6pm Signature Event
6pm – 8pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: The Wooden Sky, Transition
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Friday February 26, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
12pm – 2:30pm SF1 Men’s hockey
6:30pm – 9pm SF2 Men’s hockey
10pm – 2am Hockey Oke, The Odds, Club DJ
Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm Whitefish Juniors, The Deep Dark Woods, Jack Semple
9pm Brad Johner
11pm Jack Semple
Ontario House
11:30am – 4pm Signature Event
8pm – 9pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: Molly Johnson, Transition
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Saturday February 27, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
11am – 6pm Men’s Slalom, Men’s Bobsled, Wide Mouth
7pm – 9:30pm Bronze Medal Men’s hockey
10pm – 2am Colin James, Club DJ
Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm Jordan Cook, The Deep Dark Woods, Jack Semple
9pm Brad Johner
11pm Jack Semple
Ontario House
11:30am – 4pm Signature Event
6pm – 7pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: III Scarlett, Transition
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Sunday February 28, 2010
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Molson Canadian Hockey House (Paid)
12:15pm – 2:45pm Gold Medal Men’s hockey
5:30pm – 8pm Closing Ceremonies
10pm – 2am The Odds w/Guests, Club DJ
Saskatchewan Pavilion
3pm – 9pm Jordan Cook, Closing Ceremony, The Deep Dark Woods
9pm Brad Johner
11pm Jack Semple
Ontario House
11:30am – 2pm Signature Event
2pm – 4pm Music @ Mill Street (Lounge) with Tyler Yarema
10pm – 2am Performance: Crash Parallel, Transition
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They have their own mega calendar available with a round up of each event, at each pavilion on their site including free activities and performances. For news, updates and photos you can follow @Concord_Place.
It’s been ages since I updated my Day Tripping series and thanks to our trek up to Squamish yesterday I can revive it with a worthy entry.
Half way between Whistler and Vancouver lies the historic town of Squamish, BC. Known for its Sea to Sky proximity, windsurfing, The Chief, and its namesake the Squamish First Nation Squamish is a great day-trip destination for those in the Metro Vancouver area.
Starting off the day we picked up Dave and his wife, then headed past Squamish and up to Whistler to pick up my pass from the Whistler Media House. I’ll be doing some Olympics coverage from the Village later this month so it was ideal to make the trek now, before lanes and parking lots were closed.
We zipped back down to Squamish, which is only 30 minutes from Vancouver, and spent the rest of the day with Cinci. The rain was misting down as we walked along a gravel road to an opening in the trees that led us down to the river across from Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park. Along the side of the river there multicoloured rocks of all sizes resting below the rushing turquoise water. The sandbars were weighted with rain and silt while the faint stench of salmon carcass ripped through the crisp pristine air.
After our stroll we headed over to the spit, a long, thin strip of land that reaches southward through the water.
It offers amazing views of Howe Sound, Squamish, The Chief, and even the boat on which Vancouver 2010 volunteers are staying. I’m not sure of the significant of the Mona Lisa but it’s an interesting setup for sure.
Onward to the downtown core for lunch we experienced Grilled Fromage, which is not your average soup and sandwich joint. Grilled Fromage offers up 57 different kinds of grilled cheese sandwiches, in a funky space, filled with retro 80s atmosphere. Shaun Cassidy and Barry Manilow albums on the wall, signage with plenty of cheese puns, we got Rick-rolled just by looking around.
I ordered the Asiago soup and then the Polyester Pickle which had smoked Gouda, pickles, and bacon — so good. Other options included “Thriller” which has Havarti, Ham, Cranberries, Banana Peppers, “Bonnie & Clyde” with Creamy Danish Blue Cheese, Sliced Pear, Walnuts, “Feliz Navidad” consisting of Brie, Turkey, Cranberries, on sour dough… and many more.
We met the owner, Colin Bush, who has done an amazing job of bringing unique culinary life to the area… you can’t go wrong with cheese. As Dave said though, the food was just a part of the experience of dining at Grilled Fromage.
After our cheesy experience we walked through downtown, looking at all the shop windows that were Painting the Town Red.
Winding around streets we ended up at the Howe Sound Brewing Company, which was filled with warmth, aromas, fresh beer, and plenty of folks out to watch the Superbowl. Dave swears by their beer and it was well worth the trip to taste some samples.
Rounding out the day we walked back through the town, which was silent and calm. Even in Metro Vancouver we can sense this sort of “calm before the storm” which will erupt next weekend. If you have the chance, you can spend an afternoon like this is Squamish – you can even partake in far more activities in a single day. Sure, it’s that half-way point between Vancouver and Whistler but it’s also an outdoor playground, which can also offer up some seriously tasty post-adventure treats.
After 105 days on the road the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay is making its way to the host City at the end of this coming week. We know a few special guests will be carrying the flame for a leg, including Steve Nash (NBA) and Trevor Linden (NHL). Here’s the official Torch Relay map for its journey through Vancouver proper.
NOTE These times are when the legs begin, there are several torch-bearers on each leg as they only go about 300 meters each. These are NOT exact times for the people mentioned below, these are the starting times of the legs.
February 11, 2010 Day 105 – Vancouver
Safeway parking lot, Kingsway Avenue and Tyne Street
49th Avenue and Killarney Street
Trout Lake Community Centre, 3350 Victoria Drive
Vancouver City Hall, 12th Avenue and Cambie Street
BC Children’s Hospital, 28th Avenue and Oak Street (Jann Arden)
RCMP Monument, 37th Avenue and Heather Street
41st Avenue and West Boulevard
Musqueam Administration Building, Salish Drive
University of BC, Main Mall
Point Grey Village, 10th Avenue and Sasamat Street
Burrard Bridge
David Lam Park, Yaletown
Prospect Point, Stanley Park (Schwarzenegger to Coe)
Denman Street and Davie Street
Inukshuk, Beach Avenue
BC Pavilion, Robson Street and Howe Street
Chinatown Millennium Gate, Pender Street and Taylor Street
Victory Square, Hastings and Cambie Street
Aboriginal Friendship Centre, Hastings and Woodland Drive
Hastings Community Centre, East Hastings Street and Renfrew Street
Adanac Street and Rupert Street
Thunderbird Community Centre 5th Avenue and Cassiar Street
Canada Line Olympic Village, 2nd Avenue and Cambie Street
Granville Island to Yaletown Ferry Docks (Rumoured to be by Dragon Boat)
Yaletown Ferry Docks, foot of Davie Street
Aboriginal Pavillion, Georgia Street and Homer Street
6:21 am
7:51 am
7:55 am
8:27 am
9:00 am
9:13 am
9:45 am
10:29 am
10:38 am
11:18 am
12:38 pm
12:59 pm
1: 27 pm
1:44 pm
Update February 8, 2010 I have updated the post with a few of the torch-bearers’ names including Arnold Schwarzenegger [via Vancouver Sun]. Since many on Twitter expressed confusion over this selection, I thought I would put it to a poll.
[poll id=”46″]
Update February 11, 2010 My sources tell me Steve Nash will run at 4:16pm on February 11th (today) and that Michael Buble will be along Pacific around 7:50pm. Also, Trevor Linden will be at 3:50pm today near Main and 37th.
