A7

Times & Transcript Staff

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MIRAMICHI - Organizers of the Miramichi leg of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics Torch Relay yesterday announced some minor changes for tomorrow's festivities.

The torch is due to arrive in the city at about 10:36 a.m. after travelling through the Miramichi River communities of Boiestown, Doaktown and Blackville.

Upon its arrival in Miramichi, the Newcastle portion of the relay will commence at the Miramichi Mall, near the Kingsway Restaurant on King George Highway before proceeding down Pleasant Street, looping around town square and back up Pleasant Street where it will be whisked across the river to Chatham for the second half of the relay.

Street musicians will perform in town square as the relay makes its way by and police say that motorists will be allowed to park in designated spaces on most of the relay route streets as long as they park before runners arrive, and leave after the runners have passed.

The main celebration will take place on the James M. Hill High School running track beginning at 10 a.m., featuring a number of musical performances designed to showcase Miramichi's Acadian, Aboriginal, Scottish and Irish heritage.

Organizers are asking those in attendance to enter the facility via the Lord Beaverbrook Arena on University Avenue, where the Chatham portion of the relay will commence.

Victoria and Henderson Streets will be restricted to traffic from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and the Centennial Bridge will be closed to traffic from 12:30-12:45 p.m.

Runners will also be able to take part in a photo opportunity on the bridge as the Miramichi portion of the relay nears the finish line at the north side of the bridge.

Although light rain is in the forecast for the area, all events will go ahead rain or shine.

Miramichi Transit will offer free bus service to all passengers tomorrow.