The moment has come and gone, but one gets the feeling the spirit of the 2010 Torch Relay will linger for a long time.

A big day for Parksville, the Shriners served up their famous pancake breakfast; there were clowns and crafts, free keepsakes and Olympic-themed cardboard cutouts for funny photos to mark the day, and in keeping with Oceanside’s love of athletics, there were also races for the kids on the big field, with everyone taking home a City of Parksville medallion. Dozens of budding young hockey players also took to the boxla court for some ball hockey with the Oceanside Generals and local firemen.

The crowd, which numbered some 500 strong ranging in age and from all walks of life, were well-behaved and clearly into the moment.

“This is so cool,” one dad burbled like a little boy prior to the appearance of the Olympic flame.

“I’m not comfortable with all the money spent on the Olympic Games, but this, this is great — I feel so proud to be a Canadian,” beamed one cute transplanted Brit.

Parksville mayor Ed Mayne got a taste of what it must be like to be a celebrity when he shared a few minutes with a beaming Riley Monnet from Comox who ran the torch down from the top of Corfield Street and into the parking lot by the big field.

“This was so awesome,” Riley said in a quiet one-on-one after being mobbed by media and spectators.

At 13, Riley, who attends the French school Ecole Au Coeur de l’île, is as young as the torch bearers are allowed to be.

“I knew there would be some pictures taken but I never expected this,” he grinned. “There were a lot of people ... it was amazing. When I stopped, my legs were shaking and my stomach was turning.”