If local torch relay task group chair Bob Kusch is correct, there will be tears of patriotic pride and love of Olympic spirit when the torch passes through Squamish Feb. 4.
Kusch, the director of recreation, parks and tourism for the District of Squamish, was also involved in organizing North Vancouver torch relay celebrations during the 1988 Calgary Games, and said the event is unforgettable.
"It's very emotional when you see that torch go through," he said. "If you're a supporter of the Olympic movement, to see the actual torch come through and to know that it was lit in Athens - it's quite inspiring."
Now, thanks to a recently announced $30,000 in provincial funds, Squamish can properly honour the torch's arrival during evening celebrations at Brennan Park. The two-hour event will spend 56 minutes on local entertainment with the rest set aside for presentations and the passing of the torch on a massive mobile stage provided by lead torch relay organizers.
And one lucky Squamish resident will be honoured with the task of carrying the Olympic icon for part of the journey through the Sea to Sky Corridor.
The local torch relay group was asked to nominate five locals deserving of the honour, said Kusch, and one has now been chosen. But the public will be kept in the dark until the very moment he or she receives the torch.
"We don't even know who it is yet," said Kusch.
The public can't even know who was nominated, he added.
"And the Olympic organizers have asked us to keep [the nominees] confidential until they announce it."
Torchbearers aside, the group intends to squeeze every ounce of entertainment into its 56 minutes of fame.
Celebrations will include a First Nation dance, Bhangra dance group, Juno Award winners Paper Boys, Bitterly Divine band, an athlete showcase video and a logger sport showcase, according to a provincial news release.
"In less than six months the world's eyes will be on British Columbia for the 2010 Games, so to celebrate the Olympic spirit with a once in a lifetime glimpse of the Olympic Torch is ideal," stated West Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA Joan McIntyre in the release. "These torch relay events are the perfect venue to gather all members of the community and generate excitement as we undertake final preparations to showcase our region to the world for lasting benefits."
Celebrations may get even more intricate if an anticipated $15,000 federal grant comes through, said Kusch.
"Although the word has not been released, there apparently has been a list of names of communities that have not received the grant, and we're not on that list, so we're quite optimistic."
The event will require volunteers, said Kusch, and anyone interesting in participating can reach him at the Brennan Park Recreation Centre at 604 898-3604, or email [email protected].
