Skydivers parachuting in from above, top regional musical performers, giant puppets, a dazzling light show, foot-stomping Acadian fiddling, towering snow and ice sculptures, a huge teepee, as well as a kazoo band: This is just a sampling of the unique local flavour almost 200 torch relay celebration communities plan to showcase when they welcome the Olympic Flame and potentially the world to their part of the country.

Communities in all regions are readying themselves to become “Olympic Town” for the day when the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay, presented by Coca-Cola and RBC and supported by the Government of Canada, makes its historic 45,000-kilometre journey across Canada from coast to coast to coast starting Oct. 30.

“Our goal with these celebrations has always been to bring the magic and excitement of the Olympic Spirit home to millions of Canadians no matter where they live and truly make these Canada's Games,” said John Furlong, chief executive officer of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), said in a statement issued Sept. 16. “Our celebration communities are so excited to welcome the Olympic Flame and they've planned some truly memorable and inspirational entertainment for the crowds.”

One of the most anticipated announcements in each community hosting a celebration will be the naming of the community torchbearer. Each has been nominated by fellow members of her/his own city, town or village as the person who best exemplifies their civic pride and the Olympic Spirit.

The torch will make its way along the Sea to Sky corridor from Feb. 4 to 7 en route to Vancouver on Feb. 12, 2010, for the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.