Torch: People in Sussex come out in droves to celebrate Olympic festivities

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Tammy Scott-Wallace
Telegraph-Journal

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SUSSEX - Hearts were not just glowing as the Olympic flame visited Kings County, they were bursting.

Sussex took centre stage Tuesday as a relay celebration site. That meant a nearly-two hour party surrounding the Olympic flame that shot high from the community's cauldron. The festivities would rival many outdoor concerts, with staging and singing, people dancing, and lots of hype.

Thousands of people lined the streets or converged at the hub of the action at Sussex Elementary School for the show Sussex Mayor Ralph Carr called "flabbergasting."

"I just can't get over the enthusiasm and excitement going through the crowd," he said. "It's a day to remember."

People waved Canadian flags and collectively, the clothes they bundled in to mark the day resulted in a sea of red.

Jesse Reid of Saint John, 14, was the region's first torchbearer when the flame made its grand entry to Kings County by way of Sussex Corner.

"This is going to be one of the best things I've ever done," he said, awaiting his start. "I'm nervous, but I'm ecstatic."

When his torch was lit, the crowd cheered. Among them was his grandmother Barbara Reid who beamed with pride.

"That's my grandson. I said I would never miss seeing this," the McDonalds worker said, proudly clutching her camera. "I told my boss I had to get off early today."

Gary Crossman, the principal of Sussex Elementary School, was thrilled his students were able to be part of the community celebration on their own schools grounds.

"It's a very emotional experience for the entire school - staff and students," he said while waiting in line to get his photo taken with a torch. "'Overwhelming' is the word. It's really been a wonderful opportunity to work with the community."

The school was presented a painting, and RBC gave the school a $1,000 cheque that Crossman wasn't expecting.

One of the most touching moments was the arrival of the flame to the celebration site. Andrew Hunt, who was the town's torchbearer selection, ran in memory of his wife Cindy who died of cancer last year. He ran onto the stage, his eyes welled up, and lit the community cauldron to cheers from his community. His four small children joined him. As he drew them close and kissed their foreheads, there were many teary eyes in the crowd.

"We all caught the Olympic spirit today," said an emotional Sussex mom Kelly Kyle. "This is something amazing for the kids - they'll always remember this."

Hunt carried a photo of his wife around his neck, and said he often looked to the back field of the celebration site where she is buried at the hillside cemetery.

She said he ran for her, and in memory of the grace and dignity she carried throughout her battle.

"She's watching us right now - she has a great view," Hunt said. "For any torchbearer it's an emotional event - for us, there are no words."

Fundy Royal MP Rob Moore said the enthusiasm that was built in Kings County on Tuesday and the community spirit that was sparked will not soon be forgotten.

"I don't know the last time a major torch ceremony took place here. It's an amazing day," he said. "To be a part of something so important will make it more special when we root for our athletes in February."

Sean deWinter of Sussex ran through the village of Sussex Corner, and the magnitude of the experience surprised him.

"It's pretty emotional to be carrying the torch with all the kids screaming and cheering. It was so much better than I even expected - so many people were smiling and waving. It was great," he said.

Cindi Baisley and her 13-year-old daughter Megan were part of a 20-member team of Quispamsis townsfolk chosen to share the ushering of the flame out of Sussex.

She also got to carry the flame in the 1988 Calgary Olympics' relay.

"I just can't believe this is happening to me a second time, and to do it with my daughter is so special," Baisley said before taking position to run.

Sussex Community Services director Jason Thorne, who was the lead community organizer for Tuesday's event, expects the students will always remember the day the flame visited Sussex.

"These are memories that will stick with the kids (forever)," he said.

From Sussex Corner to Hampton, there were 36 torchbearers.

Hampton teen Ben Monahan beamed as he held high the first torch to be lit in the town of Hampton, a route community that welcomed the torch following the Sussex celebration.

Crowds cheered and business owners along Main Street stepped outside as five people ran the torch from the courtyard to the end of Main Street.

"Today the town of Hampton is welcoming the world with open arms and glowing hearts," said Mayor Ken Chorley to the crowd from the courthouse steps. He referred to the relay as a "memorial and magical event."

Hampton Middle school teacher Janice Dalton had her students on the street to watch the excitement.

"It was awesome to see the flame go by. I think it meant a lot to my students and everyone else."