At the beginning only the lead drummers will drum. The drumming will start out relatively softly and will build as we advance to the site. On arrival at the site the canopy will be set in the middle, while the bards will process once around, forming the circle. We build our house on the well-founded earth. We honor Gaea, mother of all, oldest of all, who nourishes upon the earth all that is.
Fire is the spark of life.
It burns within each of us. It is time now to kindle the hearth. Let our heart-fire burn with the intensity of spirit of the athletes who bring it forth. Drummers will start drumming to signal the beginning of the race. When each torch bearer arrives, he shall put his flame into the fire pit, but not kindle the wood.