The Pan-Am Games flame made its way through Chatham-Kent Tuesday afternoon, with stops in Wallaceburg and Chatham.
The flame and local torch bearers were welcomed by residents in the downtown core of Wallaceburg with the first stop at Chris’ No Frills on Dufferin Avenue.
Mackenzie Turner, a former 2010 Olympic torch bearer, was hand picked by his employers at Chris’ No Frills as a community torchbearer to kick-start the torch run in Wallaceburg. Several local torch bearers handed off the flame, including Wallaceburg’s Lisa Holland, Michael Verstappen and 99.1 CKXS morning man Greg Hetherington.
A community event was held in front of 99.1 studios for locals to gather, enjoy free food, refreshments and giveaways while experiencing a very emotional torch hand-off between Aaron Jubenville and Andrew Galloway. Jubenville, a 25-year-0ld Tilbury man who has spent his life in a wheelchair, was chosen as a community torchbearer thanks to a nomination from Councillor Mark Authier.
In Chatham, Maddie Lavoie carried the flame on a dragon boat along the Thames River, with the flame being carried into a celebration at Tecumseh Park by community torchbearer Juli Elders.
The Pan Am Games will take place in Toronto, Ontario from July 10-26.
