(Acadian Games Torch Relay In Market Square)
(Photo by Brian McLain)
Excitement was in the air at Market Square with 300 enthusiastic young people from Samuel de Champlain parading with the torch that will light the flame when Saint John plays host to the Acadian Games. The opening ceremonies will take place on July 1st and, weather permitting, the athletes will be escorted to the city centre to watch the fireworks display over the harbour. Mayor Ivan Court calls it an opportunity to show Atlantic Canada what is on offer in the city as well as the people who live here.
Court estimates as much as a couple of million dollars will be spent in Saint John during the games which were last staged here in 1996. The Mayor goes on to say the francophone community in the area seemed to come into its own after that event. The theme of the Games will be " Our strength is our energy".
