Steamboat Pilot & Today

John Slowey, from right, George Slowey and Eli Ince work along side other members of Boy Scout Troop 194 Tuesday to create a Fourth of July float for Wednesday's parade. Photo by John F. Russell

Employees Kelli Root, left, and Kathy Bertrand stayed after work to decorate a Yampa Valley Electric Association truck for Wednesday’s Fourth of July Parade. The parade begins at 10 a.m. in downtown Steamboat Springs. Lincoln Avenue will be closed between Fifth and 12th streets during the parade. Photo by John F. Russell

Real American. Submitted by: Missy Beirne

Rain dance. Submitted by: John Bennan

Olympian and hometown favorite Johnny Spillane takes flight in 2012 at Howelsen Hill during the Fourth of July Ski Jumping Extravaganza. Photo by John F. Russell

Five-time Olympian and hometown favorite Todd Lodwick takes flight Tuesday at Howelsen Hill during the Fourth of July Ski Jumping Extravaganza. Photo by John F. Russell

Finn O'Connell speeds down the in-run before taking flight Tuesday morning during the Fourth of July Ski Jumping Extravaganza at Howelsen Hill. Events will continue at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday with the Nordic combined roller-ski event on Lincoln Avenue and an elimination jump at 11 a.m. at Howelsen Hill. Photo by John F. Russell

Ski Jumper Alissa Johnson speeds down the in-run during Tuesday's Fourth of July Ski Jumping Extravaganza at Howelsen Hill. The Ski Jumping Extravaganza has become a holiday tradition in Steamboat Springs. Events will continue at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday with the Nordic combined roller-ski event on Lincoln Avenue and an elimination jump at 11 a.m. at Howelsen Hill. Photo by John F. Russell

Nordic combined skier Cliff Field takes flight off a plastic-covered ski jump Tuesday morning during the jumping portion of the Fourth of July Ski Jumping Extravaganza in Steamboat Springs. The event will continue Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. with the Nordic combined roller-ski race on Lincoln Avenue and an elimination ski jumping event at 11 a.m. on Howelsen Hill. Photo by John F. Russell

Dale Franks, of Duckels Construction, uses an excavator Tuesday morning to remove what remains of an old house at the corners of Sixth and Oak streets. The house, which was owned by Holy Name Catholic Church, was removed to make way for the church’s planned expansion. The church had hoped to save the home the past three years but couldn’t find any takers and finally was forced to tear it down to make way for the expansion of the church. Photo by John F. Russell