Set your alarm clocks early for Bowen Island Torch Run

At 6:10 a.m. on February 10, Vancouver resident Mike Jusiak will carry the Olympic Torch down the hill into Snug Cove.

Barb Jusiak
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The secret is out!

After sticking to his vow not to reveal details of the Olympic Torch Run on Bowen Island until 10 days before the big event, Murray Atherton can now spread the news about the February 10 schedule.

But before you read on, make sure the batteries in your alarm clock are working. Bowen Island is about to have a very early morning.

At 6:10 a.m. on Wednesday morning, Mike Jusiak will stand near the top of the BICS hill with the Olympic Torch in his hand. The torch isn’t the same one that’s been crossing the globe for the past few months, but the flame that lights up the early morning darkness is the same flame that set a torch alight in Athens, Greece, on the day the torch run began. It’s the same flame that will light the huge Olympic cauldron at BC Place in downtown Vancouver on February 12.

With hoped-for crowds lining the street, and as many people as possible wearing and waving their red Olympic mittens, Mike Jusiak will be cheered on as starts his run just below BICS. Halfway down the hill to the ferry dock, he’ll use the flame on his torch to light the flame of the torch carried by the daughter of BC Ferries president David Hahn.

Twenty-one-year-old Valerie Hahn will carry the torch down to the wharf where entertainers and food will greet the crowd before the torch leaves on the 6:30 ferry to Horseshoe Bay. (The torch route is 0.8 km.) Thanks to Phoenix, people will have the opportunity to have their photos taken with the torch that Murray Atherton will buy after his torch run in Lilloett on February 6..

Atherton, who is the chair of the Spirit of Bowen committee, knows it will be a dark and early start to the day. “That’s early but feel sorry for the BICS Parent Advisory Committee – they said they’d do something for the relay team and they’re gathering at the school at five o’clock.”

He can’t say how the torch is arriving on Bowen. “It magically appears,” he smiles, adhering to the confidentiality agreement he signed.

The committee is asking people to park in two locations: the BICS parking lot and the overflow parking lot at the bottom of Cates Hill. The ferry traffic, and line up, will not be disrupted except for the fact that the spaces closest to the wharf will be cordoned off for the torch delegation after the 5:30 ferry leaves.

People are being asked to line the north side of the road to cheer on the torch. As the torch makes its way down the hill, the crowd is invited to become part of the parade. Joining the festivities along the way will be entertainers, jugglers and the Black Sheep.

To light the torch’s path, the committee will be handing out 300 free LED torches, as well as 300 volunteer pins and temporary tattoos.

People should be gathered along the route by six.

“It’s a very quick event,” Atherton cautions.

Down at the dock, Mayor Bob Turner and island resident Peter Boronkay, a member of the Vancouver Olympic Committee will give short speeches as the ferry unloads. This would be a good time to make sure that you’ve filled out the ballot that you received in the mail to win a pair of tickets to the alpine ski races in Whistler on Saturday, February 27. You can drop the ballots off in boxes along the parade route or at the docks. You can also drop the ballots off beforehand at the municipal office.

As the ferry departs, people will stand on the wharf and join with the community choir and Lorne Warr for the singing of Back to the Island Again.

Then people are invited to stick around for a free breakfast and entertainment. The event will conclude as children make their way to school. Andrew Stone will be videotaping the entire event on behalf of the committee.

Despite the early hour, the committee hopes the community will be fired up by the thought of being part of history. Jacqueline Massey says, “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – seize the moment.”

Atherton says that all the stories he’s read about the torch run talk about the pride people feel as they watch the torch pass through their communities. “You feel that you’re part of Canada. People say you see it and feel such a sense of belonging. It’s a melding of love for this country. People are embracing this.”

He doesn’t want people to say “If only” – “If only I’d made the effort. If only I had gotten up earlier.” – after the torch is gone from Bowen’s shores.

The Bowen Island Spirit of BC/Torch Relay Committee would like you to join in for a series of community celebrations. All events are FREE and are open to all ages in the community.

Thursday, February 4

7:00 p.m. Open Mic Night at the Happy Isle showcasing the “Bowen Sings” participants

Friday, February 5 – Sunday, February 21

Youth Olympic Poster Exhibit at The Gallery

Artists’ Reception February 7, 2-4 p.m.

Tuesday, February 9

5:30 p.m. Bowen Island’s 3rd Annual WinterFest

Head over to the Bowfest Field on the waterfront to enjoy a bonfire, chocolate fondue, and sing-a-long with the “Chill Billies”. This is a FREE community event for people of all ages. A perfect way to start celebrating for the Olympic Torch arrival the next day.

Wednesday, February 10th

Torch Relay Community Celebration

6:10 a.m. Torch Relay begins at BICS

6:20 a.m. Activities on the Government Dock

Community Breakfast hosted by local businesses

Entertainment

Singing of the Bowen Anthem (Back to the Island Again)

Photos with the Torch by Phoenix on Bowen

Activities provided by BC Ferries

Other activities happening around the island...

The Chamber of Commerce and the municipality are also hosting a variety of activities for the community as well. These include:

• No Snow Games – Wednesday, February 17

6-8 p.m. Meet at Village Square

• Public Art Sculpture – to be located in the Cove

• Opportunities for public viewing of the games

BC Heritage Week Feb 15-21: Celebrating Sports & Recreation

Bowen Island Community School will be part of several heritage projects, the Undercurrent will have a Heritage insert and the Legion will host a Heritage dinner for members and guests on February 19th.

The Committee would like to thank the Province of British Columbia and Bowen Island Municipality for their support of these celebrations.

Visit our website at www.spiritofbowen.com