McDonald shows for olympic celebration

 

by Kenneth Bullock

Children’s love for the Olympic Games is shared by the man in the big red shoes.

Ronald McDonald, played by Brad Lennon, came to a local McDonalds Feb. 19 to celebrate the restaurant chain’s tenth year as the official restaurant for the Olympic Games. Lennon arrived at 6 p.m. to celebrate and get everyone involved in the events planned for the evening. He announced the restaurant would be renamed “Ronald’s Fan Village” for the remainder of the Olympics.

“Right now we are on Ronald’s Olympic Fandemonium Tour,” said Jon Halowachuk, an employee of McDonalds Canada.

Halowachuk is providing tech support for Lennon during his tour through Canada. Lennon led children, parents and employees in the wave, which will be recorded in every restaurant Lennon visits during the tour. He said all the recordings will be spliced together for a broadcast on McDonald’s TV, the restaurant’s in-store channel.

Checklists were prepared for children which they could carry throughout the night. The list’s contents included things like being at the event, having your photograph taken and participating in trivia. Once everything was checked off, the lists were used as ballots for a raffle. Winning children received a Fun Pack filled with Sochi 2014 memorabilia.

Halowachuk said normally the atoMc hockey team comes to these events, however the team did not end up showing up this time.

“We actually give them the VIP treatment at the events,” said Halowachuk. “Ronald does interviews with the atoMc team and coaches then asks them why they like hockey and if they have any pointers for the Canadian Hockey Team.

Many children, and adults showed up to the event. The restaurant’s owners said they were thrilled at the turnout.

“This has been the most successful night since our re-opening,” said Michael Brown, owner of the restaurant.

Lennon finished the night with his own speech about Canadians their fans, and the olympics. At certain points in the speech, he would point to the children and they would respond with enthusiasm.

“This is a country of fans, red and white, with golden dreams forever in sight,” said Lennon. “The maple leaf, a symbol to which our hearts belong, there’s no doubt we will compete proud and strong. You may ask why we shout, bang the pots and clap our hands. Well, the answer is simple-”

“-Because we are fans,” the children shouted in response.

The room erupted with applause after Lennon finished his speech. He did the draw for the Fun Packs and then he was out the door. Lennon finished his visit in Windsor by dropping the puck at the Windsor Spitfire game on Feb. 20.