Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival grand marshals announced
Steamboat Springs — The Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club has named Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp. President and COO Chris Diamond and his wife, Eileen, as grand marshals of the 2015 Winter Carnival.
The 102nd annual Winter Carnival runs Feb. 4 to 8, with events taking place at Howelsen Hill and downtown Steamboat Springs on Lincoln Street.
The theme of this year’s carnival is “Fire and Ice.”
The Diamonds were selected as grand marshals because of their strong community involvement and ties to the SSWSC, according to a news release from the club.
“The SSWSC is excited to honor the Diamonds as the grand marshals of this year’s Winter Carnival as they have been integral to the Yampa Valley and our community,” said Jim Boyne, SSWSC executive director, in the release. “The Diamonds are strong advocates for our youth — and Chris has been instrumental in the Steamboat Ski Area’s continuation of scholarship day to benefit SSWSC athletes.”
Chris Diamond also has been a partner in helping bring a new Alpine training and competition center to Steamboat Ski Area, which is scheduled for completion later this year, Boyne said.
“As Chris has announced his retirement with SSRC at the end of June, this is a fitting ‘swan song’ to wish him well on his next adventures in Steamboat,” Boyne said.
The grand marshals will be honored during opening ceremonies on Wednesday, Feb. 4, and will preside over many of the week’s activities with the rest of the Winter Carnival Royal Court.
Other court members include Carnival Queen Maggie Rose Carrigan, her attendants, Ellese Lupori and Esther Rose DelliQuadri, and a string of princesses yet to be announced.
This year celebrates 100 years of holding Winter Carnival events at Howelsen Hill.
The Night Extravaganza event, which will be held Saturday, Feb. 7, is inspired by the carnival’s fire and ice theme and will combine snow sports with fire and fireworks. About 8,000 spectators are expected to attend and watch the lighting of a 36-inch, 500-pound mortar, a firework so large it matches last year’s United States record.
A $10 Winter Carnival button, designed by 10-year-old Caroline Gilchrist, is required to watch or participate in events and purchasing the button helps support the SSWSC. Buttons can be purchased at several locations around Steamboat.
For more information, to see a schedule of events and to register to participate, visit http://www.wintercarnivalsteamboat.com.
To reach Teresa Ristow, call 970-871-4206, email tristow@SteamboatToday.com or follow her on Twitter @TeresaRistow
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