Kelowna

More than 150 people packed into the Kelowna Recreation Centre Saturday afternoon to catch a glimpse of a trio of famous furry faces.

The official mascots for the 2010 Olympics, Sumi, Miga and Quatchi, were in town for a few hours to help escort a practice Olympic torch as it tours around the province.

Three young local athletes carried the practice torch into the Kelowna Recreation Centre just before 1 p.m.

Finance Minister, Colin Hansen and Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Al Horning were on hand to greet the mascots and discuss the importance the 2010 Olympics will have on the Okanagan.

“It will be a benefit to the entire area. It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase the Okanagan to the world,” says Hansen.

Parent Lisa Montiger says her six-year-old daughter Barbara has been waiting to meet the mascots for weeks.

“Since she heard they were coming to town, it’s been all she could talk about. I think it’s great that a little piece of the Olympics was here,” says Montiger.

The meet and greet with the mascots also included a room full of interactive activities such as a hockey game, a Wii station and a fitness check station.

Link: See more photos in the gallery.