Chris Benchetler and Kimmy Fasani Lead July 4 Parade

“Grateful for this community and everything that surrounds it. Thank you for all the love and support!” Benchetler wrote in the caption of his Instagram post.

Fasani and Benchetler’s inclusion was already fitting—they’re famous local pros in a town with some of the best skiing in the country. But the Independence Day parade’s theme, “Where Creativity Runs Wild,” made it more so. Art and nature, which both shaped Fasani and Benchetler’s lives, were the focus.

Alongside being a skier, Benchetler is an artist known for his colorful, semi-abstract paintings that adorn canvases, murals, and the topsheets of the iconic “Bent” line of skis created by one of his sponsors, Atomic.

He’s also a filmmaker preparing to release Mountains of the Moon this coming fall, a movie that aims to fuse outdoor sports, music, and out-of-this-world visuals. Its creation is being chronicled in an ongoing web series called Ship of Fools. Benchetler’s previous film, Fire On The Mountain, was a hit, drawing more than one million views on YouTube.

“To be part of this event, in a place that has shaped us so deeply, and where I feel my truest self, is truly an honor,” said Fasani in a release shared by the Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce. “Our community’s connection to nature, creativity, and healing is what makes Mammoth so remarkable."

Fasani's snowboarding accolades include being the first woman to land a double backflip in the terrain park, numerous film shoots, and a third-place finish at the Natural Selection Tour in 2023. The new documentary, Butterfly in a Blizzard, chronicles her journey as a mother and a professional snowboarder.

“We couldn’t imagine two better people to lead our town’s biggest annual celebration,” wrote the Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce.

Alongside the parade, the day’s festivities also included a foot race, local art vendors, and a fireworks show at Crowley Lake.