Summer Games torch to make its way through towns today

The torch is in town today. 

The first official event of the 2023 Alberta Summer Games — the Torch Celebration — will make its way through Okotoks and Diamond Valley. 

Locally-nominated torchbearers will carry the ATCO torch as they run, walk and cycle through downtown streets in both communities.  

The Torch Celebration starts in Diamond Valley at 10 a.m. near the intersection of 3 Street SW and 6 Avenue SW. It will head north on 3 Street SW before turning east onto Centre Avenue, where it will finish at the Town of Diamond Valley offices.  

Three groups of students from Diamond Valley schools will act as torchbearers on the one-kilometre route.  

The relay will resume in Okotoks at 2 p.m. when 16 torchbearers will take turns as the torch makes its way from the Okotoks Public Library to Bill Robertson Park on a 3.5-kilometre route. The relay will head west on Riverside Drive, north on Northridge Drive and then east along Elizabeth Street toward the park. 

There won’t be any road closures but there could be some traffic delays as a convoy will accompany each torchbearer, so drivers are asked to be patient. 

Games organizers are calling on community members to line the streets and cheer on the torchbearers as they pass by.  

Representing a cross-section of the community, torchbearers were selected earlier this year after the Summer Games put out a call for nominations.   

The opening ceremonies of the biennial sporting spectacle take place tomorrow evening at Seaman Stadium, followed by three days of sporting competition.