Nathan Phillips Square to Celebrate One Year Countown to TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games, 7/11-12

Nathan Phillips Square will come alive with exciting free programming from Friday, July 11 to Saturday, July 12 as we kick off celebrations marking one year to go until the start of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games.

Soca superstar Machel Montano, direct from Trinidad, will electrify the crowds Friday as part of PANAMANIA, presented by CIBC, along with Dwayne D' Bandit Pitt and Dr. Jay de Socaprince. The next day, Venezuelan­?born Toronto Raptors star Greivis Vasquez will be on hand ready to give coaching tips on the three-?point shot.

The festival will begin Friday at noon with the unveiling of the state?of­?the?art Cisco TORONTO 2015 Countdown Clock. Cisco is a Premier Partner and the Official Information and Communications Technology Provider for the TORONTO 2015 Games.

"For two days, the heart of downtown Toronto - Nathan Phillips Square - will transform into what the TORONTO 2015 Games is all about: an incredible celebration of sport and culture," said Saa?d Rafi, chief executive officer of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015).

"Toronto is a world-­?class city full of first-­?class people who come out and cheer on their sport teams and their city," said Greivis Vasquez of the Toronto Raptors. "I am so excited to help kick off the one year countdown to the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games. It's a way for me to give back to this unbelievable city that has become a true home for me and my family and given us so much. I am so thankful to have this opportunity and can't wait to help celebrate with all of you."

Machel Montano, who is also taking part in a concert at the United Nations this month, added: "The 2015 Pan Am Games will spark a wave of positive energy, connecting the diverse community of athletes, artists and spectators participating. I am incredibly excited to bring the HD band to Toronto to help kick off the festivities and spread peace, love and unity from Trinidad to Toronto and the world."

The celebration site and all activities are designed to be accessible for people of all ages and abilities.

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Meet multiple gold medallists Rosie MacLennan (trampoline), Heather Moyse (rugby sevens, cycling and bobsleigh) and Benoi?t Huot (aquatics) among many other stellar athletes participating in the sports demonstrations and mini-­competitions over the two­?day festival.

CIBC, the Lead Partner of the Games, together with CIBC Team Next athletes, will be on hand to mark the occasion with an exciting new venture to make sport more accessible for youth across Canada.

Stay tuned for our Saturday, July 12 headliner - to be announced later this month - who will close out the celebrations. Also performing that night will be the legendary Cuban dance band Los Van Van, now celebrating its 45th year filling stadiums around the world.

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