Video: Relighting of the Lake Placid Olympic Cauldron

Wow, has it really been 30 years?

The Lake Placid Olympic cauldron was re-lit tonight to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the 1980 Winter Games. The event included a torch run, video presentations, fireworks, and a visit by Olympian Buzz Schneider, who scored the first goal for the US hockey team in the Miracle on Ice game against the Russians.

Although we hadn’t planned on watching the actual torch run, we were lucky enough to catch part of it as it made its way down Main Street. After checking out some hiking gear at High Peaks Cyclery, we stepped outside the shop and noticed a bit of a commotion. Coming at us from up the street were flashing police lights and the torch runner. I snapped a photo and then we realized we better hop in the car and head to the show grounds before it beat us there.

The torch as it makes its way down Main Street

It was a chilly night, but the crowd steadily grew as the Olympic Cauldron was prepared for the event.

Lake Placid Olympic Cauldron

Soon the torch arrived, carried by one of the original 1980 Olympic torch runners, and the ceremony was underway.

The torch arrives

Several flags, including the US Olympic Flag, followed the torch

Some of the loudest cheers came for Olympic hockey hero, Buzz Schneider

The relighting of the Olympic Cauldron was synchronized with footage of the original 1980 lighting ceremony, and as the crowd watched both torches being lit – past and present – fireworks exploded overhead.

Our camera isn’t much of a video taker, but I tried to capture a few moments of it for everyone.