While the presence of the Pan Am Games have already been felt across the GTA over the last several weeks, the Games have at long last begun. On July 9, visitors to Nathan Phillips Square were greeted by a host of impressive temporary additions, as Toronto City Hall has been transformed in time to celebrate the arrival of the Pan Am flame, which will officially kick off the start of the Games at today's Opening Ceremonies.

PANAMANIA transforms Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto City Hall, image by Marcus Mitanis

The arrival of the flame was met with much fanfare, including some words from Mayor John Tory, who once again encouraged his fellow Torontonians to come out and take part in the Games, and a presentation by the Government of Canada which involved a special citizenship ceremony and the swearing in of 50 new Canadians. Entertainment was the focal point however, with two large stage areas set up for live music, dance, and other cultural performances. Highlights of the evening included performances by Maracatu Mar Aberto, TDots Finest Boys and Girls, Les Chiclettes, Live Art by Essencia, and DJ Grouch.

Onlookers await the arrival of the Pan Am flame in front of the main stage, Nathan Phillips Square, image by Marcus Mitanis

Performers getting ready, Nathan Phillips Square, image by Marcus Mitanis

In addition to the live entertainment options, visitors were welcome to peruse the Pan Am Store, featuring official Pan Am Games merchandise and souvenirs including T-shirts, hats, backpacks, water bottles, and more. For kids, a giant swing was set up which proved popular among the many families in attendance. For visitors interested in learning more about the host city, the City Hall Rotunda - temporarily transformed into "Toronto House" - is offering a myriad of interactive displays all about Toronto, the city's history, arts, and culture on display for the duration of the Games.

Pan Am Store, Nathan Phillips Square, image by Marcus Mitanis

Giant swing, Nathan Phillips Square, image by Marcus Mitanis

Perhaps the most intriguing addition to Nathan Phillips Square was the very Amsterdam-esque, 3D "T-O-R-O-N-T-O" sign in place at the top of the reflecting pool. Three metres tall, and twenty-two metres long, the LED-illuminated sign can transition between millions of colour combinations, making for countless photo opportunities - which, in fact, the City has encouraged via the promotion of #share3DTO and #hostcity2015 on Twitter. The 3D sign, of which each letter weighs a considerable 136 kilograms, will remain at City Hall through the duration of the 35-day PANAMANIA arts and culture festival, after which time it will eventually be moved to other as of yet unknown hot spots across the city. One could imagine Yonge-Dundas Square, Union Station, or the Harbourfront Centre, being likely recipients.

3D T-O-R-O-N-T-O sign by day, Nathan Phillips Square, image by Marcus Mitanis

3D T-O-R-O-N-T-O sign by night, Nathan Phillips Square, image by Marcus Mitanis

Beyond the central hive of activity at Nathan Phillips Square, the CIBC-sponsored, PANAMANIA cultural events will also be hosted at several sites across the city, including live performances at the Distillery District and the Young Centre for the Performing Arts. All-in-all, the 35-day celebration will include an impressive collection of performers, including Canadians, Serena Ryder, A Tribe Called Red, Lights, Jann Arden, Dragonette, Colin James, Tanya Tagaq, Whitehorse, and Kiesza, to name but a few.

For those primarily interested in the Games themselves, organizers want to remind the public that the venues have been spread far-and-wide across the GTA, with the recent addition of several new sports facilities from Milton to Markham, and beyond. Below, a list of the new venues can be viewed:

1. Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre (TPASC), Scarborough

The 365,000 sq. ft. facility will host several aquatic events, along with fencing, roller sports speed skating, and volleyball. In addition, the facility will become the new head office of the Canadian Sport Institute of Ontario (CSIO), and will feature two pools, a gymnasium, and a climbing wall.

2. BMX Centre, Centennial Park, Etobicoke

Currently visible from the Gardiner Expressway, this outdoor facility features a 350-metre racing and training BMX track designed to meet Union Cycliste Intarnationale (UCI) certification. The facility will remain for both future competitions and community use.

3. Etobicoke Olympium, Etobicoke

The current aquatic facility has received many major upgrades, and will continue after the Games as a top-level training venue.

4. West Channel Watercourse at Marilyn Bell Park, Toronto

The channel will host several open-water events, including swimming, waterski, and wakeboard. A wave-attenuating structure has been added to ensure the right conditions for a first-class water venue for the Games.

5. Track and Field Venues, Citywide

Tracks across the city have been resurfaced and/or replaced at the Toronto Track and Field Centre, as well as a host of upgrades at both the Birchmount Stadium and Centennial Stadium. These will be used for training and live events.

Meanwhile, back at Nathan Phillips Square, visitors are encouraged to come check out the daily PANAMANIA events taking place at City Hall. The transformation of this usually much more subdued public space is truly quite phenomenal, and offers a sense of things to come once the planned, long-term renovations to the square are completed in the near future. For now, however, City Hall has become a vibrant public space, full of live music and dance, interactive exhibits, a swag shop, and the centrepiece, the 3D T-O-R-O-N-T-O sign.

Nathan Phillips Square comes alive, Toronto City Hall, image by Marcus Mitanis

Lastly, take a look at this time-lapse of the activity and excitement now underway at Nathan Phillips Square captured by Marcus Mitanis: