STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO (March 29) - Steamboat-Ski Town, U.S.A.® will welcome home its 2010 Winter Olympians with a community-wide Hometown Heroes Celebration this (April 2) highlighted by a parade on snow and Olympian celebration through the heart of downtown Steamboat Springs.

"It’s not one entity or organization, but the entire community that openly embraces these athletes and plays a key role in establishing the core foundation for Ski Town, U.S.A.," said Jon Roberts, city manager for the City of Steamboat Springs. "The Hometown Heroes Celebration is a way for the entire community to come together to celebrate the Olympic spirit and all that these athletes have accomplished."

The Hometown Heroes festivities start with visits to local schools by the 2010 U.S. Nordic Combined Ski Team. The team made history in the sport when the athletes captured the first medals in nordic combined for the United States in history as well as taking medals in each of the three nordic combined events contested at the winter games in Vancouver.

Later that day, a special Meet & Greet from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at historic Howelsen Hill will enable fans and supporters to meet, share congratulatory messages, get autographs and have photos taken with athletes including four-time Olympian, World Champion and Olympic gold and silver medalist Bill Demong (Vermontville, NY), four-time Olympian, World Champion and triple Olympic silver medalist Johnny Spillane (Steamboat Springs, CO), five-time Olympian, two-time World Champion and Olympic silver medalist Todd Lodwick (Steamboat Springs, CO), Olympic silver medalist Brett Camerota (Park City, UT) and first-time Olympian Taylor Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO).

The celebration’s main event will take place at 6:30 p.m. with a parade right down the heart of Lincoln Avenue from 10th Street to 6th Street. The parade will feature the world’s only skiing band, the Steamboat Springs High School band, nordic skiers from the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club and horse-drawn sleighs carrying athletes, coaches and families. Immediately following the parade, the celebration shifts to the Routt County Courthouse (between 5th & 6th Streets) at approximately 7:00 p.m. where the athletes will be introduced and speak to Ski Town, U.S.A. In addition, several elected officials and dignitaries along with a big screen television, music and videos will accent the public celebration.

At the end of the outdoor presentation, USAF Colonel Ed Shock, Chief of Armed Forces Entertainment, will present orders and officially send the nordic combined team off on its early April goodwill mission. The team takes the helm of the Armed Forces Entertainment Heavy Medal Tour, bringing, for the very first time, four medalists and their winter games hardware on a special tour to visit troops stationed at U.S. military installations around the globe.

"Steamboat has a rich tradition in the snow sports disciplines - alpine, nordic, jumping, freestyle and snowboarding - and an Olympic heritage that dates back nearly 80 years," said Rick DeVos, executive director of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club. "The spirit to strive for greatness and the unwavering support of athletes of all ability levels, allowing them to fulfill their dreams, whether that’s just getting started in the sport or competing on the international stage, is truly what makes this community unique and sets Steamboat apart from any other place in the world."

Steamboat is known around the globe simply as Ski Town, U.S.A. and has produced more winter Olympians than any other town in North America. Including the 2010 Games, Steamboat’s Olympians have represented eight different countries, made 148 Olympic appearances during 17 Winter Games. The following 2010 Olympians currently train or have trained with the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club and competed in the XXI Winter Games in Canada.

2010 Olympians with Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club Ties:   (name, country, discipline, past Olympics)

Caroline Calve, CAN, Alpine Snowboarding
Brett Camerota, USA, Nordic Combined (2006)
Bill Demong, USA, Nordic Combined (1998, 2002, 2006)
Patrick Deneen, USA, Freestyle Moguls
Taylor Fletcher, USA, Nordic Combined   
Michelle Gorgone, USA, Alpine Snowboarding (2006)
Tyler Jewell, USA, Alpine Snowboarding (2006)
Ellie Koyander, GB, Freestyle Moguls
Jana Lindsey, USA, Freestyle Aerials, (2006)
Todd Lodwick, USA, Nordic Combined (1994, 98, 02, 06)
Adam McLeish, GB, Alpine Snowboarding   
Michael Morse, USA, Freestyle Moguls
Johanna Shaw, AUS, Alpine Snowboarding (2006)
Callan Chythlook Sifsof, USA, Snowboard Cross
Johnny Spillane, USA, Nordic Combined (1998, 2002, 2006)
Ryan St. Onge, USA, Freestyle Aerials, (2006)
Kimiko Zakreski, CAN, Alpine Snowboarding