More than 1,000 Canadian towns in 106 days: that’s the epic scale of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay. In this continuing series, we’ll keep pace with the run and introduce you to some of Canada’s most intriguing “torch towns.” Next, the Olympic Flame burns bright in the sophisticated, populous province of Ontario (ON) in central Canada.

Day 45, Dec. 13: Pembroke, ON
Day 59: Dec. 27: Stratford, ON
Day 60: Dec. 28: Orangeville, ON 

You’ll find Canada’s seat of power and pageantry in Ontario at the grand capital city of Ottawa. On Parliament Hill, hear bagpipes serenading the ceremonial Changing of the Guard, glide 7.8 km (4.8 mi) on the Rideau Canal Skateway, the largest skating rink in the world, then head to the ByWard Market for tasty, sweet all-Canadian “BeaverTails,” pastries.

Fast-paced Toronto is Ontario’s capital, famous for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Iron Chef contender Susur Lee and the iconic CN Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the world.

Ontario’s expansive greenbelts, Great Lakes, beaches and national parks soften the edges of these two hard-working cities. The beauty of Georgian Bay inspired the Group of Seven artists to paint their masterpieces and in picturesque Muskoka, you can sometimes spot celebrities like Goldie Hawn, Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg along lakefront “Millionaire’s Row.” The lush Niagara region is famous for its vineyards and wineries and for Niagara Falls, AKA “the honeymoon capital of the world.”

Pretty Pembroke, a “Communities in Bloom” winner in the “Heart of the Ottawa Valley,” is just west of Ottawa, while Stratford and Orangeville are a short drive from Toronto.
 
Torch Town claims to fame:

• The Heritage Murals in downtown Pembroke
• Stratford Shakespeare Festival
• Art of Walk Tree Sculptures in Orangeville

Worth a side-trip:

• turn-of-the-century Pembroke and Ottawa Valley artifacts at the Champlain Trail Museum and Pioneer Village.
• Annual Pembroke Old Time Fiddling and Step Dancing Championships.
• a 45-acre corn maze, a labyrinth and Flashlight Nights at the Ontario Maze outside Stratford.
• original Canadian plays at the Blyth Festival, a short drive from Stratford.
• 74 km (46 mi) of adventure in the Hills of Headwaters region aboard the Credit Valley Explorer Tour Train from Orangeville.
• the Orangeville Maple Syrup Festival.

Torch festivities:
Pembroke, host of the annual Silver Stick regional hockey tournament, has trademarked the name “Hockeytown Canada” and will line the torch route with kids banging their hockey sticks on the street in welcome. The two themes for the evening celebration are, naturally, hockey and fiddling, since the Old Time Fiddling Championship is a big annual event here too.

In Stratford, “Canada’s Premier Arts Town,” the mid-day celebration will be held behind Stratford City Hall in Market Square. Entertainment includes St. Marys Children’s Choir, Judy’s School of Dance step-dance routines, and Canadian teen sensation, singer/musician Justin Bieber.

The morning celebrations in Orangeville include a tribute to local Olympians,  plus Canada’s second-oldest Olympian James Worrall, at Tony Rose Memorial Sports Centre. The high-energy event will showcase step-dancing champion Chanda Gibson Leahy, a children’s kazoo band (!) and the aerial antics of the Descenders Parachute Club.

www.ontariotravel.net/
www.tourism.gov.on.ca/english/
www.vancouver2010.com/en/torch-relays/-/32700/8amb6a/index.html