Marshall

A Day of Celebration

By Deb Chapman
Marshall’s children were decked out in red toques to greet the Olympic Torch thanks to the hard work of volunteers who started knitting, crocheting and sewing all the way back in November. After months of preparation, the day finally arrived … Tuesday, January 12, 2010, will be a day that so many people remember. Day 75 of the Olympic Torch Relay saw Marshall's population of 608 residents grow by leaps and bounds.

Marshall School started the festivities by hosting a Mini Olympics with face painting, skating, colouring, hockey skills, street hockey, luge and human curling. The Marshall Rec Board provided each child a homemade toque, glow sticks, glowing coke bottle and a flag for the Torch event. The excitement was unbelievable as everyone lined the street outside the school. Each class had made banners displaying a variety of Olympic Events; the children held their banners with pride.

The excitement could be heard all throughout town, as the Torch passed Marshall School on its way to the Marshall Town Office, where Chris Ross (former Marshall Resident) proudly waited for the flame to pass to his torch. Marshall Rec Board arranged for Fireworks to be lit as one torch lit the other.

After the torch made its way out of town, Marshall Rec Board was ready and waiting for all to stop by the Marshall Legion for hotdogs, hot chocolate, coffee and cupcakes. Fire pits were lit at the end of Main Street and the Marshall Skating Rink was open for public skating as the celebration lasted into the evening.

The Olympic experience was a once-in-a-lifetime memory for Marshall and it has made Marshall history.

Check out photos of the Torch in Marshall