Special Olympics in Thunder Bay, 2011 Closing Ceremony

January 22, 2011

The Kamview Nascar of Skiing and Snowshoing has come to a close and the medals have not been handed out yet.  It was time to get on the bus back to the hotel to get showered and have dinner.

Following Dinner, everyone boarded Iron Range School buses that were bound to the Community Auditorium for the closing Ceremony.

After a successful landing at the Auditorium, Everyone filed into the theatre and took their seats and waited until the ceremony started.  At the start of the Ceremony, the Master of Ceremonys dedicated the event to the athleates and coaches with a loud cheer and applause.

An athleate from the Nascar of Skiing and Snowshoing delivered his sermon about what it was like to be an athleate in Special Olympics Ontario. 

The Cheif of Thunder Bay Police Services delivered a short sermon about the event's success. 

The Honour Guard from Thunder Bay Police lowers the Special Olympics Ontario Flag and hands it to Sudbury Police Service.  Following the flag hand-off, The Flame of Hope is passed off to Sudbury because the next stop is the Special Olympics Floor Hockey Championship.

Upon Conclusion of the Ceremony, The Band hit the stage with some Big Church style celebration.  People in the audience were dancing and clapping like at the Choclate Bar Church.  Thank God there was no Pastor to deliver a Fire and Brimstone sermon when the band was dismissed.

Following the Final Yee Haw, Big Church Style, it was time to pass through the gates and board the plane to Fort Williams Historical Park for the Farewell Dance.

There was some great songs that the DJ played during this Farewell Dance.  Here is a Rundown of some of the songs I remember

We are The Champions (This is a popular Request at the Special Olympics Barrie Banquet.  Sometimes the DJ may play We will Rock you and We are the Champions together.)
Don't Stop Believing --A Remix i do not know who it was by.
Got a Feeling -- Black Eye Peas (This song was the opening at the Parry Sound Dance 2010 and Barrie Special Olympics Banquet Dance)
Celebrate Good Times -- Cool and the Gang
The Macarena -- Los del Río
Chicken Dance
YMCA  -  Village People (this song is a popular Request at the Parry Sound Dance and Special Olympics Barrie Banquet)
Grease Mega Mix (This song is a popular request at the Special Olympics Barrie Banquet)
Home For a Rest -- Spirt of the West (Final Song)

Follwing the Dance, there was a Wishes Fireworks Special and than the Buses left for the hotel.

Keep your ears to the Tracks for some more Podium Excitement.  The remainder of the awards were handed out on January 23, 2011 following breakfast.

The First Podium

January 22, 2011.

At 8:00 AM, It was time to board a bus for a 15 minute flight to the Norwaster Inn.

After a successful landing at the Norwester Inn, the podium Ceremony was underway

The podium Ceremony took place on this green Box Podium.

I received my first Gold Medal on this box podium for the 1 kilometer race.

Following Poduim, it was time to get back on the bus for a 5 minute flight to Kamview for the second day of the Kamview Nascar of Skiing and Snowshoing.

A Shaw Television Camera man got on our plane and documented our short flight to Kamview.

The Box Podium is all set up for awards to be handed out following the Kamview Nascar of Skiing and Snowshoing.  The first event of the day was the 100 Meter Ski races. 

Following the morning events it was time for another flight to the Norwaster Inn for Lunch.

Following Lunch, We flew back to Kamview for the afternoon session of the Kamview Nascar of Skiing and Snowshoing.  As we got off the bus, a Disney Character was waving.

It was time to line up for the 500 meter skiing race at the Kemview Nascar of Skiing and Snowshoing.

Snowshoers are getting lined up for their events at the Kamview Nascar of Skiing and Snowshoing.

A Great Finish at the Kamview Nascar of Skiing and Snowshoing

Racers Ready!

Set!

Go!

And They're Off!  It's another fine day at the Kamview Nordic Nascar of Skiing and Snowshoing

A group picture of Team of Region VI at the Kamview Nascar Of Skiing and Snowshoing

Region VI's team had successfully finished their races and the awards ceremonies were postponed to the next day due to the cold weather.  It was time to get on the plane back to the hotel for dinner and prepare for the Closing Ceremony.

The Plane schedule was posted in the lobby of the hotel.  Thank god I was on AC Flight 2004.

Keep your Ears to the Tracks for Highlights of the Closing Ceremony.

A Cold Day at the Kamview Nascar Races

Friday, January 21, 2011

The Victoria Inn was our home for the four days spent in Thunder Bay, Ontario.  On this morning it was - 30 plus a windchill making if feel colder.  It was very important to prepare for cold weather when going to a ski meet in Thunder Bay.

This was the first day of competition at Kamview for the Nordic and Snowshoe races.  The day started off with an 11:00 AM departure from the hotel for a short flight to the Norwester Hotel for lunch.

After Lunch, it was time to hop back onto the bus for a five minute flight to Kamview Nordic to get ready for the afternoon's races.  Due to the cold weather, the races did not start until 3:00 PM.  The first race was the 1 KM Nordic freestyle and Classic.  I got my skis on and took a warm-up lap around the 1 KM course to see what to expect for the race like hills and turns.  It was very important to get warmed up so that I will not get injured.

The snowshoers are lined up for their race at the Kamview Nascar races.  These races are exciting to watch.

And They are off! 

Some Disney Characters are present at the Kamview Nascar Races

A great view from the top of the Podium.

After a fun filled afternoon at the Kamview Nascar Races, It was time to get on the bus back to the hotel for dinner and some MEPS fun. 

The evening included playing on the computer, Nintendo Wii, or watching the Opening Ceremony on Shaw Cable 10 in your hotel room.  I Played Donkeymails and LogiPTC on the computer.

Keep your Ears to the Tracks for Saturday's Excitement at the Kamview Nascar.

Airplane Trip to Thunder Bay, Opening Ceremonies

Thursday January 20th, 2011

After dinner, the athleates and coaches load onto Iron Range School buses outside the hotel.  These buses wisk everyone to the Community Auditorium for the Ceremony.

After a successful landing at the Community Auditorium, all the athleates and coaches get into the Ceremony Queue.  Regions 1 - VI, IX - XII will parade across the stage and take their seats.  The Rigion VIII, the host region will parade across the stage last to the Rocky Theme, "Gonna Fly Now"

Once everyone is seated, A bunch of fiddlers play a Fiddle Ceremoney and some dancers hit the stage. 

The Flame of Hope handed to the final flame bearer to light the Cauldron

After the Special Olympics Ontario Flag was raised and the Cauldron was lit, the Orchastra and the chorus played the closing song, "We Will Rock You / We are the Champions"

Following the Ceremony, everyone is queued up to get on the buses back to the hotel.  Due to the Cold Weather, Downhill skiing was cancelled and Nordic Skiing and Snowshoing did not start until 3:00 PM

Keep you Ears to the Tracks for Friday, Nov 21, 2011