BY KAREN BOSSICK
Come walk with Team USA tonight—Friday, July 17--when Sun Valley’s hometown Olympians and Paralympians parade from Champions Meadow to Ketchum Town Square.
Local athletes and coaches who took part in the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics at Milan-Cortina will be honored in the celebration sponsored by the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, Sun Valley Resort and the cities of Sun Valley and Ketchum.
The event will kick off at 5 p.m. at Champions Meadow by the statues of Sun Valley Olympians Picabo Street, Kaitlyn Farrington, Christin Cooper and Gretchen Fraser.
There, attendees are invited to get glittered up with the SVSEF XC Gold Team.
Muffy Davis, a Winter and Summer Paralympian who also is honored with a statue along the bike path, will welcome everyone and introduce the athletes and coaches at 5:15 p.m.
The parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. and athletes and community leaders will make some remarks at Ketchum Town Square beginning at 5:45 p.m. Sun Valley Mayor Peter Hendricks will welcome everyone; his presentation will be followed by comments from SVSEF Executive Director Scotty McGrew, the athletes themselves and Mayor Peter Prekeges.
Both mayors will present gifts to Team USA athletes and coaches. The athletes will then sign autographs and the Portland-based Running with Scissors will play classic rock covers until 8 p.m.
The Sawtooth Brewery’s Outpost food truck and Leroy’s Ice Cream will have food available for sale.
Athletes being recognized are three-time Olympian Chase Josey; four-time Paralympian and eight-time medalist Jake Adicoff; two-time Paralympian Jesse Keefe; John Steel Hagenbuch; Sammy Smith; six-time Paralympian Laurie Stephens; Ryder Sarchett; and Peter Wolter, who served as Adicoff's guide and is a member of the SVSEF Cross Country Gold Team.
Team USA's coaching and technical staff from the Wood River Valley are Andy Gilbert, Austin Savaria, Peter Holmes, Sam Wood, and Graham Watanabe.
Five-time Olympic hockey player Hilary Knight has been invited, but her attendance is subject to other commitments.
Many would probably welcome it if snow fell on the ceremony. But, with temperatures expected to climb into the 80s, you can probably leave your ski parkas and mittens at home.
“Lightning could cause a delay bur the event will go on rain or shine,” said Heather Foster, director of strategic communications and development for SVSEF. “We are hoping for a beautiful evening. We're so excited to welcome our Team USA athletes and coaches and celebrate their accomplishments as a community!”