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Olympic Heritage Celebration returns

Adam Jensen
ajensen@tahoedailytribune.com
Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park
Brian Baer |

Organizers of an annual series of events to highlight Lake Tahoe’s Olympic history face similar circumstances as the organizers of the 1960 Winter Games at Squaw Valley — an unusually dry start to the winter season.

Like promoters of the 1960 games, organizers of this year’s Olympic Heritage Celebration will bring in tribal dancers to encourage additional snowfall for the Lake Tahoe Region.

The Eagle Wing Dancers were one of the highlights of 2012’s Olympic Heritage Celebration and are sure to be again this year, said Heidi Doyle, executive director of the Sierra State Parks Foundation, one of the sponsors for the Olympic Heritage Celebration, now in its fourth year.



The series of events include several meet and greets with local Olympians, displays of Olympic memorabilia and tours of places where Olympic events took place, including a trail network on the West Shore. People can try out their shooting skills during the celebration’s Citizens Against the Clock event, where participants use electronic rifles to test out their accuracy at the biathlon. The Citizens Against the Clock event is one part of the celebration that will likely be altered due to the lack of snow. Snow or no snow, the celebration will go on.

The Olympic Heritage Celebration concludes Jan. 19 with the premiere of “Cusp of Glory” at Squaw Valley’s Plaza Bar at 7 p.m.



“The film, almost two years in the making, includes a brief introduction by Olympic gold medalist, Jonny Moseley, and is narrated by three-time Olympian and two-time medalist, Shannon Bahrke,” according to a press release from filmmakers. “Cusp of Glory tells the compelling story of four intimately connected freestyle skiers, who are Olympic hopefuls – K.C. Oakley (moguls), Brita Sigourney and David Wise (ski halfpipe) and Shannon’s younger brother, Scotty Bahrke (aerials), who competed in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.”

Each of the athletes featured in the film had the same childhood coach, Clay Beck, who died in a plane crash in 2008.

“Cusp of Glory is an uplifting tribute to Coach Clay’s legacy and the Olympic spirit and will entertain and inspire audiences of all ages with its story of triumph-over-tragedy,” according to the release.

More information can be found at http://cuspofglory.com/premiere.

Olympic Heritage Celebration activities:

Saturday, Jan. 11

Opening Ceremonies and snow dance

Sugar Pine Point State Park

Free events, parking fee applies

11:30 a.m.: Lighting of a symbolic caldron and Olympian welcome

11:45 a.m.: Dedication and celebration by Eagle Wing Dancers

12:30 p.m.: Olympian meet and greet

12:45 p.m.: Guided tour of the Olympic Snow Trails (hiking boots and layered clothing recommended)

Monday, Jan. 13

Olympian meet and greet

Tahoe City Visitor Center at the corner of Highway 89 and State Route 28

5-7 p.m.: A free meet and greet with Olympians Daron Rahives, Adam Hostetter and Joe Pete Wilson. Authors Dave Antonucci and Eddy Ancinas will sign books and share Olympic tales from the region.

Thursday, Jan. 16

Museum of Sierra Ski History and 1960 Winter Olympics open house

Boatworks Mall, Tahoe City

5:30-7:30 p.m.: Meet and greet with Olympians and refreshments. The event will include a special display of 1960 Olympic memorabilia.

Friday, Jan. 17

Nordic Legends Dinner at Granlibakken Resort, Tahoe City

5:30-8 p.m.: A fundraiser for the Sierra State Parks Foundation to support the Olympic Snow Trails at Sugar Pine Point State Park. The night will conclude with a $100 raffle for a dinner for 24 at the Ehrman Mansion valued at $8,000. Reservations for the Nordic Legends Dinner should be made at 530-583-4242.

Saturday, Jan. 18

Citizens Against the Clock

Sugar Pine Point State Park, West Shore

Free event, parking fee applies.

10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Sierra State Parks Foundation will set up a short loop course with electronic rifles on a portion of the same biathlon trail used by the athletes of the 1960 Winter Olympics to allow the whole family to test their shooting skills.

Saturday, Jan. 18

Full Moon Hike at Sugar Pine Point State Park

6:30 p.m.: Park guides will lead people though the historic Hellman-Ehrman Estate and share local history tidbits. The hike is suitable for beginners. Warm, layered clothing and a flashlight are recommended. Snowshoe rental, park entrance and the guided tour are $25. Kids under 12 are free. Reservations are required at West Shore Sports, 530-525-9920.

Sunday, Jan. 19

Squaw Valley Day

Time TBA: Mighty Mites race down Exhibition, ending with them carrying Olympic flags

12 p.m.: Olympic Heritage Walking Tour with David Antonucci. Meet in front of the 1960 dedication plaque in front of the cable car in the Village. Free.

1-4 p.m.: Live music on the KT Deck with the Nibblers. Free.

7 p.m.: “Cusp of Glory” movie premiere in the Plaza Bar

Source: Sierra State Parks Foundation


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