True to the Olympic motto With Glowing Hearts, crowds braved nasty winter weather in Kincardine, Saugeen Shores, and the Saugeen First Nation to welcome the Olympic Torch Relay.
10 people got to carry the torch through the Municipality of Kincardine where it arrived just before 4 PM Monday.
Maggie Macpherson of Lucknow was the first to carry the flame, she says it was a great honour.
Erick Matthissen of Kincardine also got to carry the torch.
He once served in the armed forces and says he’s a very patriotic Canadian and being able to carry the torch when Canada is hosting the Olympic games is something that appealed to his patriotism.
Peter Risteen of Kincardine was another of the torchbearers from that community.
The torch headed north through Tiverton and arrived in Port Elgin just after 5pm where it was greeted by crowds along Goderich Street before a big celebration got underway at The Plex.
The house was full while Saugeen Shores Councillor Diane Huber presented the torchbearers, among them, CTV Olympic anchor Brian Williams.
World Record holding paralympic high jumper Rick Carr of Port Elgin says the celebration is part of a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the torch.
Carla Masterson of Port Elgin was a torchbearer before Christmas in Leamington and says it was amazing to be on the “other side” of the festivities and seeing the community pride and wishing the torch well on its way to Vancouver.
The flame was greeted by a good crowd at the corner of Albert and High Streets in Southampton and it continued from there to the Saugeen First Nation where it was greeted by a sacred fire and pipe ceremony.
Elder Shirley John says it was meant to bless the ceremony itself and the Olympic Torch and those who carry it.
13 year old Blaine Roote, who is from the community, was among the three torchbearers there.
The torch relay day ended in Owen Sound.
