TORCH RUN HYPES WINTER GAMES

AND KICK-STARTS CARNIVALS

As the Olympic torch crisscrossed Canada on its way to Vancouver for the Winter Olympic Games, many communities made the most of their ’15 minutes of fame’ by using the occasion to lay the foundation for a winter carnival which they hope will become an annual affair.

Local celebrities, dignitaries and sports figures proudly carried the torch through the crowds in their home towns as they promoted the Olympic spirit and gave many photo-opportunities for the local newspapers, radio and television stations.

In most cases, the torch was only in the town for a few hours, but even so, many astute councils saw the occasion as an ideal opportunity to generate winter activity in their community. 

Ice sculptures were present in many localities to add flavor to the event.  Designs centered around the Olympic theme and sculptures of the Olympic torch and flame, the Olympic rings, different sports activities and the Innukshuk icon were common.

	Some towns went even further and included interactive activities for children such as an ice slide or maze and adults and children alike lined up for a souvenir photograph on the ice throne.
	Live ice carving demonstrations always pulled a crowd and production of the ‘kiddie cube’ was hardly able to keep up with demand everywhere the cubes were offered.
	On the Niagara peninsula the Olympic route took in Niagara Falls, St Catharines, Hamilton and then passed through St Thomas on its way through southwestern Ontario. Local carver Tyler Hayes, Frozen Impact contributed to the show in the city with a number of sculptures.
Iceculture, Hensall, Ontario had live carving demonstrations in Niagara Falls and St Catharines and installed ice slides in both cities. The slide in St Catharines measured 38 ft long. A small maze also proved to a successful attraction in Windsor. When organizers saw how children flocked to these attractions, the decision to grow the event into a winter carnival was a no-brainer.
It is also easier to attract sponsors when they have seen how enthusiastically kids gravitate to the ice slide and maze.

A good example is the town of Hanover. The torch passed through the town on December 28.  Despite a snow storm, the main street was packed with enthusiastic onlookers and the line-ups for the slide were huge. Plans are already underway to launch a winter carnival in the community. As always, the ice sculptures were popular with everyone.