LAKE PLACID, Vt. (WCAX) – The summer Olympics in Paris are underway, and while the games are thousands of miles away, young campers in Lake Placid celebrated with their own opening ceremony.
“It was like really fun holding the flag and I got to do it with all of my friends,” said Kinsley, a student from Lake Placid Elementary.
“So much stuff, so much people. You get more friends. The more friends, the more fun,” said Sky, a fellow camper.
Friday officially kicked off the Olympics, and in Lake Placid, a two-time host of the Winter Games, the Olympic Regional Development Authority gave students the chance to have their own parade of nations.
“I think it is really important for young people to see that there are people from all around the world. It is a huge world and they are a part of it,” said ORDA’s Lisa Carter.
A total of 81 students gathered inside the Olympic Oval’s tunnel before marching with flags from 29 different nations. For each student, it was a time to learn about their town’s Olympic heritage. “I think it is really cool that we celebrate the games here,” said Carraig, a parade participant
“It is like special because not that many states in America get to have the Olympics here,” said Jack.
And for Chelsie Geesler, Camp Placid’s director, it was an emotional end to a week that’s been filled with Olympic-related activities.
“It’s an Olympic event and it’s the opening ceremonies for the summer Olympics, which are awesome anyways, but to see my kids and my staff here carrying the flags — it is amazing,” she said.
In addition to the parade, there will also be an Olympic-themed scavenger hunt throughout the village and the Paris events can also be viewed at each one of ORDA’s facilities.