“The Olympic Torch Relay provides a once in a lifetime opportunity for everyone in Prince George to celebrate the Olympic spirit, right here in our own community,” says Shari Green, co-chair of the City’s Prince George Torch Celebrations Task Force. The Task Force has been working hard over the past few months to plan a community-wide celebration that promises to be a showcase of Prince George and its people.

The event is scheduled from 6-8 pm on January 29 in the parking lot at Exhibition Park. Torch Celebrations Task Force Co-Chair Dave Wilbur says the celebration will have something for everyone.“There will be dancers, singers, fireworks and special presentations. Of course, the highlight will becheering on our local torchbearer as they bring the Olympic Flame onto the stage,” says Wilbur.

Task force members are hoping to see as many people as possible at the Community Celebration, and are planning family events before and after the torch ceremony. All events are open to the public and will be free of charge.

“We know January 29, 2010 will be an historic day for Prince George, so we want people to mark their calendars and plan to celebrate the Olympic Torch Relay with us,” says Green.Our famous Prince George winter city spirit and capacity for fun will make this family celebration an extra special, not to be missed event,” adds Wilbur.

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay begins tomorrow in Victoria. The Olympic Flame will travel by land, air and water during its 106 day journey as 12,000 torchbearers will be carrying the torch in more than 1000 communities across Canada. The relay ends on February 12, 2010 when it lights the Olympic Cauldron, signaling the start of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The Olympic Flame that lights the torch was lit in a special ceremony last week in Olympia, Greece.