2012 NL Summer Games opening ceremonies

NHLer and Stanley Cup champion Danny Cleary (right) and Olympic gold medallist Jamie Korab, both of Harbour Grace, were given the honour of lighting the flame during the opening ceremonies of the 2012 NL Summer Games in Carbonear and Harbour Grace on Saturday, Aug. 18.

Christian Dawe of Bay Roberts (right) and Rodney Slade of Victoria (centre), both members of the Avalon male ball hockey team, get a high-five from “Zippy” the mascot as they enter the field during opening ceremonies celebrations.

There was plenty of entertainment during the opening ceremonies, including a lively and well-choreographed performance by the Ignite the Light Dancers.

Members of the host team were in high spirits as they paraded onto the field in Carbonear.

Karl Janes of Harbour Grace dusted off his athletic suit from the 1992 NL Summer Games during the opening ceremonies Saturday evening. It’s been 20 years since Carbonear and Harbour Grace last hosted the Summer Games, and Janes was convenor for the rugby competition at the ’92 event.

The patron for the 2012 NL Summer Games, Dr. Leslie A. Wells (centre), is shown here with Milton Peach (left) and Joey George, co-chairs for the organizing committee.

Among the political dignitaries on hand for the opening ceremonies were, from left, Recreation Minister Derrick Dalley, Carbonear-Harbour Grace MHA and Natural Resources Minister Jerome Kennedy, and Premier Kathy Dunderdale.

Danny Cleary (left) and Jamie Korab acknowledge the crowd before lowering their torches to light the official 2012 NL Summer Games flame.

Bagpiper Joshua Chubbs leads the parade of dignitaries onto the field at the Carbonear Recreation Complex.

Some of the spectators on hand for the opening ceremonies.

Sgt. Michael Avery of 580 Carbonear air cadets carried the banner for the Central team.

Carbonear’s recreation director Rob Button (left) and his two sons, four-year-old Adam and six-year-old Neal, help Danny Cleary (right) extinguish his torch.

Brianna Neil of Bay Roberts (swimming) made her way through the opening ceremonies on crutches, but vowed that she would compete.

Recreation Minister Derrick Dalley.

Harbour Grace Mayor Don Coombs.

Shown here are, from left, Dakota Sheppard, Samantha Pike, Kaitlyn Noel, Sydney Hunt and Kaitlyn Bishop. All are members of the host team.

Members of the host team.

Carbonear-Harbour Grace MHA and Natural Resources Minister Jerome Kennedy.

Kristian Butt sand a song called “Today I’m Gonna Try and Change the World.”

Shown here carrying the Labrador flag onto the field were, from left, Dion Voisey, Gemma Andersen, Jessica Winters and Georgia Abel (beach volleyball).

Lakeisha Rowe sang a song called “Don’t Stop Believing.”

The Games’ mascots were quite visible during the opening ceremonies.

Milton Peach, co-chair of the 2012 NL Summer Games.

Premier Kathy Dunderdale.

Carbonear Mayor Sam Slade.

Karen Snow of Carbonear, along with her nine-year-old daughter Samie Snow and friend Abbi Lee, 6, got comfortable on a blanket.

Carbonear’s Don Butt (left) and Sonia Williams of Harbour Grace handed off torches to NHLer Danny Cleary (second from left) and Olympic gold medallist Jamie Korab during the final leg of the torch relay.