July 9, 2015
Torontonians from across the city joined in the Pan Am spirit this evening at a community celebration at Nathan Phillips Square for the Pan Am flame just one day before it lights the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony for the Pan Am Games.
"Tonight's celebrations are a great example of what we can expect over the next month as we host the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games," said Mayor John Tory. "I encourage all Torontonians to take part in the various events, both sporting and cultural, being held across our city."
Team Canada's Chef de Mission, Curt Harnett and several athletes from Team Canada, made a special appearance at the event just before the Pan Am flame arrived. The City presented Harnett with a bracelet carved from the Maple Leaf Forever Tree. The bracelets were assembled by Parks, Forestry and Recreation camp kids during March break and Team Canada athletes competing in the Games have each been given a bracelet as part of their official uniform.
“It is an honour to be here today at the heart of the City of Toronto to celebrate our Canadian Pan Am team," said Harnett. "This celebration is more significant than ever, as these Games are taking place right here on home soil in front of our families, friends and supporters. Our athletes have been working hard to be at their best and make Canada proud as they take on the Americas. Now is the time for Canada to show your support. En garde!”
Highlights of the evening included the arrival of the Pan Am flame and performances by Maracatu Mar Aberto, TDots Finest Bboys and BGirls, Les Chiclettes, Live Art by Essencia Collective and DJ Grouch. A citizenship ceremony was also performed by the Government of Canada at the start of the celebration, with approximately 50 new Canadians becoming citizens.
Residents and visitors also had an opportunity to interact with the new 3D T-O-R-O-N-T-O sign. Located by the reflecting pool, the sign is three metres tall and 22 metres long and consists of seven 3D, LED-equipped letters weighing about 136 kilograms that spell out T-O-R-O-N-T-O. The sign will remain at City Hall until the end of the year and will provide a wonderful visual backdrop for Panamania Live during the Games. Residents and visitors are encouraged to take their photo with the sign and join in the spirit of the Games by sharing their photo on social media using the hashtags #share3DTO and #HostCity2015. The tweets will be shown on the City's Pan Am/Parapan Am web page
http://www.toronto.ca/panam2015.
Tonight's community celebration was one of five celebrations the City hosted for the Pan Am Games Torch Relay. These celebrations are part of the City's Host City Showcase Program. More information about the program is available at
http://www.toronto.ca/panam2015.
Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit
http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.
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