The 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing ended on Feb. 20, and the state Olympic Regional Development Authority, the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism and the Adirondack North Country Sports Council are hosting an athlete parade and “Welcome Home Olympians” celebration to recognize local Olympians’ return. The parade isn’t just for Beijing competitors though — it’s also an homage to past Olympians from the region, athletes around town and Olympic hopefuls.

ROOST Chief Operating Officer Mary Jane Lawrence said the parade will feature athletes from the New York State Ski Educational Foundation, Lake Placid Middle-High School, CAN/AM Hockey group and Northwood School because “they too, one day, could be an Olympian.”

“The fact that we have so many Olympians that have come out and will come out in the future from our region, we think it’s something that really needs to be highlighted,” Lawrence said. “It’s really unique and special to our region.”

Lawrence said the Olympic legacy is embedded in the Lake Placid community — former and future Olympians can be coworkers or classmates.

“They’re contributing to our community in so many different ways,” she said.

The parade will begin at Brewster Park at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 24. The parade will proceed down Main Street to the Olympic Speedskating Oval to the beat of the Lake Placid Middle-High School Marching Band. There will be free public skating at the oval from to 9 p.m. Athletes and guests, including “local dignitaries,” according to Lawrence, are expected to speak about Olympic ideals.