Light my fire: Residents remember 1996 Olympic Torch passing through Vicksburg

For two weeks, the world witnessed athletes from across the globe as they competed in the 2024 summer Olympic games in Paris. The U.S. brought home 126 medals — 40 gold, 44 silver and 42 bronze — making it the country with the highest medal count. Americans can be proud of its athletes and proud that in 2028, the torch will return to the U.S. for the summer games, which will be played in Los Angeles.

The U.S. has hosted eight of the modern Olympic games — four winter games and four summer games — one of which was held in Atlanta in 1996. Some may recall on May 25 of that year the city of Vicksburg was on the Olympic Torch relay route. During its pass through town, 15 runners, five of whom were locals, had the honor of carrying the iconic symbol of the games.

“It was literally the best day of my life,” Vicksburg resident Carlos Lee said.

Lee had the honor of participating in the relay because he had been chosen as a Community Hero for his volunteerism as a referee and soccer coach with the United Way and in his church.

The late Mary Hopkins and the late Rev. William Watkins were also chosen to participate in the relay due to their community service. Hopkins taught physically handicapped children to ride horses and Watkins was instrumental in starting and serving as the first director of the Good Shepherd Community Center.

Also participating in the relay were Richard McCaa, a 13-year-old at the time, who was a winner in a contest sponsored by Olympic Torch Relay sponsor Coca-Cola, and Dan Waring, president of Waring Oil and chosen by another Olympic Torch Relay sponsor, Texaco.

David Blackburn also ran with five of the torchbearers as an escort runner.

Vicksburg resident Mary Dee Halford recalled the Torch Relay going right in front of her house.

“It was so exciting.  The torch passed 2902 Drummond Street right in front of our house. Carlos Lee was running with it and they passed it to him in front of our house,” she said.

In anticipation of the event, Halford said she hosted a block party for those who wanted to be part of the historic event.

“All the neighbors and all the people had their families and friends there and it was one big block party all the way up to Vicksburg High School.”

The Relay Torch went through the Vicksburg High School stadium and when it made it to the 50-yard line, it was reported former Mayor Joe Loviza held a brief ceremony welcoming the torch to Vicksburg.

As reported in the Sunday, May 26, 1996, edition of The Vicksburg Post, the Olympic flame had arrived in Vicksburg by train at approximately at 12: 07 a.m. Carrying the Olympic flame in a cauldron, the train pulled up to t Phelan’s Crossing and Harry Sanders of Hollandale lit his torch.

Sheriff Martin Pace, who had just been elected to the position earlier that year, said he remembered working the event alongside the Vicksburg Police Department and the Georgia State Troopers. He also recalled getting to ride on the train.

“I actually had the opportunity to ride on the train with the torch for a short distance and that was exciting,” he said.

Pace said having the Torch Relay come through was good for Vicksburg and the community.

“The public enjoyed it, and children gathered around taking pictures with the torch in the background.”

Additional events held in conjunction with the Torch Relay included a reception on Friday night to honor the torchbearers, sponsors and city and county officials. Saturday before the train arrived, a parade was held that included Gov. Kirk Fordice, former Alcorn State standout and Houston Oilers quarterback Steve “Air II” McNair, and a combined band from the public high schools. A Heritage Food Festival was also held on Washington Street.

To cap off the historic event, a fireworks display was held over the Mississippi River and firing of Civil War cannons ensued as the final torch bearer relit the flame on the train as Vicksburg’s leg of the relay ended.

Lee said although the Torch Relay in Vicksburg was nearly 30 years ago, he became emotional when watching the closing ceremony of the 2024 summer games, and seeing the torch lit and handed off to Los Angeles Mayor Karn Bass.

“It brought tears to my eyes watching and kind of reliving and I knew how they felt being a torch carrier,” he said.