Spirits were not dampened by the cool wet weather as people of the Miramichi warmly welcomed the Olympic Flame that swept through the community on Friday. The presence of busloads of District 16 students from the Miramichi area, Blackville and Rexton, dressed for warmth and many in red, gave an enthusiastic youthful tone to the two hour celebration held at the James M. Hill High School track. In addition to choirs from Ian Baillie Primary and Blackville schools, children were well represented in many of the dozen or so musical performances that entertained the large Miramichi crowd  before and after the Olympic Flame’s arrival.  James M. Hill H. S. teacher Mr. Mark Noel, carried the flame into the celebration site and lit the “community cauldron” located on the stage. Susan Butler led the crowd in the singing of ‘O Canada’ and after words of welcome by local dignitaries, the Olympic Torch Relay continued to pass the flame on to other parts of northern New Brunswick. The Olympic Flame is travelling across Canada and as it does so excitement for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver grows.  To view a slide show of Friday’s celebration visit http://dt16community.nbed.nb.ca/media/content/video/3181 .BLMS Student Olympic Torch BearersMr. Mark Noel of JMHS