CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - Joy Gallant was pleasantly surprised by the waves of emotion that swept over her at the sudden appearance of a tall yellow flame cutting through the pounding hype of the Olympic torch relay event in Charlottetown on Saturday.

"I thought it was pretty amazing actually,'' said Gallant as she left the Confederation Landing site with her seven-year-old daughter, Shanese.

"I didn't realize it would be so emotional. It was pretty emotional to see Emma MacEachern running in with the torch.''

MacEachern, a 19-year-old university student, brought the flame to the outdoor stage and lit a symbolic cauldron. On a warm-for-November night with no precipitation, thousands of people were on hand to watch.

"It was crazy,'' said MacEachern.

"So many feelings at once, overwhelming. I had to just focus on what I was doing and try not to get too distracted but it was the coolest thing I have ever done ... I didn't expect this big a turnout.''

There was a huge video screen, towers of speakers, pounding music, banks of strobe lights and smoke machines.

British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell was there, handing out Olympic pins.

The run continues Sunday with the promotional entourage leaving Charlottetown for Cornwall, Hunter River, Rustico, Kensington, Lennox Island, Abram Village and Summerside.