Kincardine is getting ready to welcome the Olympic Torch relay on December 28th.
The torch will arrive in Kincardine at 3:59 PM on Monday, December 28th at Huron Heights School where the Mayor will have one minute for a short speech.
The torch will then travel down Russell Street to Durham Market North, north on Queen Street and end on Broadway.
Economic Development and Tourism Manager Steve Murray says it’s difficult to say what the crowds will be like because of the time of year between Christmas and New Year’s — and the unpredictable weather.
He says relay organizers have told him that whatever the weather, the torch will pass through anyway.
Murray says they’ll be handing out cheer sticks, tattoos, and balloons along the route ahead of time to get the crowd excited and shouting “GO CANADA GO!”
He says there is also a house decorating contest for the day, with 500 dollars in gift card prizes available from Home Hardware.
The Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band will also make a rare outdoor winter appearance when the torch passes through.
Murray notes they are fortunate to be on the relay route, because it isn’t passing through any other communities on the Lake Huron coast between Kincardine and Sarnia.
The torch relay has a sizeable entourage, with Olympic vehicles, trucks from sponsors RBC and Coca-Cola, and and RCMP security detail.
Mayor Larry Kraemer says torch relay day in Kincardine will bring people to town, support and raise the profile of Canada’s Olympic team, and build community spirit.
After the torch passes through the town of Kincardine, it will head north to Tiverton, and then onto Saugeen Shores where even more festivities are planned before staying the night in Owen Sound.