TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay Celebrates in Simcoe and Grey County on June 11

Pan Am flame visits Canadian Forces Base Borden, daytime celebration at Collingwood Town Hall and evening celebration at Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre

TORONTO, June 11, 2015 /CNW/ - Like an ocean liner, the Pan Am flame began its journey with the help of a tug boat on Thursday, June 11, Day 13 of the Pan Am Games Torch Relay, presented by President's Choice® and OLG. During the day, the flame visited several Ontario communities, including Innisfil, Stayner, Collingwood, Meaford and Owen Sound.

To start the day, torchbearer Rodrick Boynton had the privilege of carrying the flame aboard a tug boat before the flame arrived at Alcona Glen Elementary School where PACHI, the official mascot of the Games, entertained students and taught them his signature dance — the wiggle. Marlon Emanuel Valentine carried the flame on behalf of the school.

Later, the Pan Am flame paid a quick visit to the Pan Am Shooting Centre in Cookstown, the TORONTO venue for all Pan Am shooting events, before heading to Canadian Forces Base Borden for a late-morning celebration.

Heading into the afternoon, the flame passed through Stayner and then Collingwood where a community celebration took place at Collingwood Town Hall. Community torchbearer Abby Joost departed Town Hall with the flame before passing it to Dan Blackwell who travelled in a historic Watts skiff — a small, sail-powered fishing boat once manufactured in Collingwood by W. Watts & Sons — along the Collingwood harbourfront.

From Collingwood, Hannah Woodhouse was among the torchbearers who carried the flame through Meaford before the day concluded in Owen Sound with a community celebration featuring a live performance by Crystal Shawanda. Community torchbearer Larisa Yurkiw had the honour of lighting the community cauldron.

The Pan Am flame will continue its journey tomorrow in Owen Sound before it visits Markdale, Flesherton, Shelburne, Alliston, Beeton, Mono and Orangeville.

Media Materials
The following torch relay items are available at TORONTO2015.org/torch-relay: relay route map, full list of communities and dates, daily highlight summaries and media vehicle registration information.

All torch relay media advisories and news releases are available on CNW. Day 13 highlight images and videos are available on Flickr by copying and pasting this URL into a web browser:

https://www.flickr.com/gp/133157263@N06/12dY1g.

The torch relay can also be followed on Twitter.

About the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay  
The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay, presented by President's Choice® and OLG, is supported by community partner CIBC, signature supporters Star Media Group and Metroland Media, Ontario Trillium Foundation and Porter Airlines, and funding parties the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario. The torch relay will invite Canadians to celebrate and share the Pan Am spirit throughout its 41-day journey towards Toronto, the Host City of the Games.

The torch relay starts May 30, 2015, and concludes July 10, 2015, with the dramatic lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony in downtown Toronto.

The TORONTO 2015 Games are funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, as well as Lead Partner CIBC and other partners and sponsors.

To learn more about the torch relay and when the Pan Am flame will visit a community near you, visit TORONTO2015.org/torch-relay or download the official TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games app, presented by CIBC.

About the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games ticket program
Great tickets to the Pan Am Games are still available, but gold-medal sessions are selling quickly!
The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games ticket program is designed to be affordable and accessible for everyone by offering:

Integrated tickets: Every event ticket will allow the holder to access transit on the day of the event.

Affordable pricing: Tickets start at just $20, with 75 per cent of tickets priced $45 and under.

Half-price tickets for persons under 16 years of age, or 65 and over: Tickets will be offered at a 50 per cent discount — some will start at $10. The number of discounted tickets is limited, so buy early.

Tickets for Parapan Am sporting events will range from $20 to $35 for adults, with a youth (under 16) and senior (65+) discount from $10 to $12.50 available, depending on the event. The number of discounted tickets is limited, so don't delay.

Easy options for buying: Tickets can be purchased online at TORONTO2015.org/tickets or at 1.855.726.2015 and internationally at 1.949.333.4824.

SOURCE Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games

Jill MacCannell, Coordinator, marketing and communications, TO2015, 416.996.4076, [email protected]