Two-day festival to celebrate Games at Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square with countdown clock unveiling, athletes, free concerts and fireworks Nathan Phillips Square will come alive with exciting free programming from Friday, July 11 to Saturday, July 12 as we kick off celebrations marking one year to go until the start of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games.Soca superstar Machel Montano, direct from Trinidad, will electrify the crowds Friday as part of PANAMANIA, presented by CIBC, along with Dwayne D’ Bandit Pitt and Dr. Jay de Socaprince. The next day, Venezuelan-born Toronto Raptors star Greivis Vasquez will be on hand ready to give coaching tips on the three-point shot. The festival will begin Friday, July 11 at noon with the unveiling of the state-of-the-art Cisco TORONTO 2015 Countdown Clock. Cisco is a Premier Partner and the Official Information and Communications Technology Provider for the TORONTO 2015 Games. “For two days, the heart of downtown Toronto — Nathan Phillips Square — will transform into what the TORONTO 2015 Games is all about: an incredible celebration of sport and culture,” said Saäd Rafi, chief executive officer of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015). “Toronto is a world-class city full of first-class people who come out and cheer on their sport teams and their city,” said Greivis Vasquez of the Toronto Raptors. “I am so excited to help kick off the one year countdown to the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games. It’s a way for me to give back to this unbelievable city that has become a true home for me and my family and given us so much. I am so thankful to have this opportunity and can’t wait to help celebrate with all of you.” Machel Montano, who is also taking part in a concert at the United Nations this month, added: “The 2015 Pan Am Games will spark a wave of positive energy, connecting the diverse community of athletes, artists and spectators participating. I am incredibly excited to bring the HD band to Toronto to help kick off the festivities and spread peace, love and unity from Trinidad to Toronto and the world.” The celebration site and all activities are designed to be accessible for people of all ages and abilities. Want more? Meet multiple gold medallists Rosie MacLennan (trampoline), Heather Moyse (rugby sevens, cycling and bobsleigh) and Benoît Huot (aquatics) among many other stellar athletes participating in the sports demonstrations and mini-competitions over the two-day festival. CIBC, the Lead Partner of the Games, together with CIBC Team Next athletes, will be on hand to mark the occasion with an exciting new venture to make sport more accessible for youth across Canada. Stay tuned for the Saturday, July 12 headliner — to be announced later this month — who will close out the celebrations. Also performing that night will be the legendary Cuban dance band Los Van Van, now celebrating their 45th year filling stadiums around the world. For more information, including times and details on performers in Toronto, as well as additional one-year countdown celebrations taking place in municipalities throughout the Greater Golden Horseshoe region, please visit TORONTO2015.org/one-year; visit Facebook at facebook.com/Toronto2015 and Twitter at @TO2015, #TO2015 and #WeArePanAm. About TO2015 The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015) is tasked with the responsibility of planning, managing and delivering the Games. Its mission is to ignite the spirit through a celebration of sport and culture. The TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games will take place July 10–26 and the Parapan American Games August 7–15. The TORONTO 2015 Games are funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, as well as other partners and sponsors. CIBC is the Lead Partner of the Games. For more information about the Games, please visit TORONTO2015.org
