The Town of Halton Hills has been chosen as one of 1,000 Canadian communities to be proud hosts of the Olympic Flame as it passes through on its way toward the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
The torch is expected to enter Halton Hills from the east early Dec. 19 on day 51 of the Torch Relay and everyone is encouraged to come out to cheer the torchbearers on.
The official route and time is expected to be announced on Dec. 9.
Eighteen to 20 local residents have been chosen to be torchbearers in the relay.
The torchbearers were selected through programs run by Coca-Cola and RBC in partnership with the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) for the Games. The Town of Halton Hills does not yet know the names of all the torchbearers selected in the community.
Canadians applied from every corner of the country by submitting details on how they will commit to live more active lives, or are inspired to create a better Canada.
A committee consisting of representatives from the Town of Halton Hills, all three branches of RBC, representatives from both BIAs, Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce and Georgetown Market Place have been working since March on preparations for the event.
Soon, banners promoting the Olympic Relay will be put up across the community, having been sold to through the Chamber of Commerce. Those who bought banners will be able to have them as keepsakes after the games.
The Town of Halton Hills has chosen 25 volunteer ambassadors to help with the relay when the torch comes through town.
The ambassadors, whose names have not been released yet, will take up places along the Olympic Torch route in Acton and Georgetown and help with the relay.
A red mitten campaign is underway to help provide Canadian athletes with top equipment and training for the 2010 games.
The knitted mittens, which retail for $10 a pair, are one of the must-have mementoes of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and match the mittens that will be worn by the 12,000 torchbearers who will carry the flame during the relay.
Net proceeds from every pair sold will complete the funding of the five-year Own the Podium 2010 initiative.
The mittens are available at Zellers, the Bay and Home Outfitters stores.
Over the coming weeks the Town of Halton Hills will be releasing more information about the run. Visit www.haltonhills.ca for more information. Details on the Olympic Torch Relay can be found under Events.