A special parade for a big announcement in Owen Sound.
The Paint the Town Red event on Monday featured about 150 people wearing red walking down 2nd Avenue East to City Hall for the announcement that Jason Crone will carry the torch for the final feet of its journey through Owen Sound and light the couldron.
Crone — in a wheelchair due to a serious hockey injury in 2005 — was part of Canada’s bronze medal winning wheelchair rugby team at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing.
He’s known about the honour since mid-June and says it’s great that everyone can know now, adding it was a challenge to keep the secret for nearly six months.
Crone says it’s an honour and there are many other people in Owen Sound who could have been chosen as well, but he’s humbled to be selected.
A series of family-oriented festivities are planned for December 27th and 28th when the torch comes through Owen Sound.
Committee Chair Fred Furness says excitement is building for the event and notes the provincial government is helping out too.
They have just found out they’re getting a 15 thousand dollar grant to help cover costs.
Residents are getting excited about the torch relay.
One man says it’s a good chance to show pride in Canada and Owen Sound, a woman says it’s exciting to see the torch get closer by seeing updates on television, and a boy says the relay shows the Olympic Games in Vancouver are starting soon.
A group of students from the Special Olympics Class at Hillcrest School plan to take in the festivities, and they’re excited about more than the torch.
Things they want to be part of include arts and crafts, music, and animal exhibits.