A week before The Honda Ski Tour kicks off in Ketchum, event organizers got a financial show of support from the city.
The Ketchum City Council agreed Tuesday, Jan. 2, to pony up $10,000 in cash, in addition to several tens of thousands of dollars in in-kind, service contributions, for the event.
"We have an incredible opportunity here for our community, both economically and otherwise," said Ketchum Mayor Randy Hall.
The tour, to take place in Ketchum over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, will bring some of the world's best winter sports athletes together for competition in skier-cross and halfpipe events.
"Even though I consider myself not only frugal but cheap, I was all in favor of this," said Councilwoman Terry Tracy.
Council members said many people who were in town over the Christmas holiday wanted to come back for The Ski Tour, which begins Jan. 11.
Event founders Kipp Nelson and Steve Brown appeared before the council to answer questions and drum up support for the four-stop tour.
Hall asked if local entities were giving them the support they needed.
"In general, we've been really happy," Nelson said.
Entertainment will also be a part of the weekend, with the city of Ketchum closing down streets to create a more festive atmosphere.
"The closing of Main Street has got the locals really (excited)," said Councilman Ron Parsons. "They can't wait to relive a 1980s Halloween."
