Kicking off the Games

Prince George was aglow Friday night as it welcomed athletes and their fans from across the country.

The opening ceremonies at CN Centre kicked off the 2015 Canada Winter Games, signalling the start of 14 days of competition in 19 different sports.

The Games is the largest multi-sport competition for young athletes from all 10 provinces and three territories.

Games organizers said Friday's ceremony was a chance for Prince George to tell its own unique northern story and invite people to "journey with us."

As athletes marched in alphabetically by province, they danced, they waved their flags, even did somersaults, capturing the moments on their mobile phones.

They received large roars of applause. Host Team B.C. marched in last and received a standing ovation.

By the end of the athlete parade, the floor and stands behind the stage at CN Centre was a mosaic of red, turquoise, burgundy, blue and green, from Team Manitoba's bright yellow jackets to Team Alberta's flashing lights on their blue and white toques.

Athletes received a warm welcome from the Lheidli T'enneh, the first-ever official host First Nation named for a Canada Games.

Prince George was framed as a hub city at the crossroads of two rivers, two major highways and a railway as a cast of local dancers celebrated the outdoor lifestyle and the rich culture of Prince George.

As local band Bright City Heights sang Aurora, the Games unofficial anthem, the audience and athletes used a 2015 Winter Games app that depicted the Northern Lights.

O Canada was first performed in the Carrier language by Lheidli T'enneh, followed by Andy Beesley's rendition.

The maple leaf Canadian flag, celebrating its 50th anniversary was unfurled, covering Team Ontario and Quebec athletes.

Games alumni Joy Ward-Fera, Cathy Priestner, Bo Hedges (wheelchair basketball), Susan Auch, Eric Bedard and Kelsey Serwa carried in the Games flag.

Katy Stoesz of Manitoba recited the Official's Oath; Stephan Blackman from Quebec recited the Coach's Oath and Prince George wheelchair basketball athlete Avril Harris, a member of Team B.C., recited the Athletes' Oath.

Athletes from each province and territory carried railway lanterns to the stage to signify the torch relay finale.

The final torch bearers included Prince George athlete Trent Seymour who won gold in softball for Team B.C.'s under-19 softball team at the 2014 North American Indigenous Games, and former B.C. Lions star kicker Lui Passaglia who competed in the 1973 Canada Summer Games, winning gold for Team B.C. in soccer.

As the Canada Games cauldron made its final journey into CN Centre atop a replica CN Rail engine, known as Obie, it was lit together by Morgan Aucoin, a member of the Athletes Advisory Committee for the Games and Anthony Everett, chair of the 2015 Games.

The Games were declared "on" and the North was illuminated.