Irish show their color
<p>Jerry Baas escorted Dr. John Giesen, the grand marshal of the St. Patrick's Day Parade, on Saturday on Sherman Avenue in Coeur d'Alene.</p>
<p>Candy Berlin had Goldilocks, a toy pomeranian, turning ahead of a Coeur d'Alene Fire engine on Saturday during the St. Patrick's Day Parade.</p>
<p>Evan Doty, 4, Coeur d'Alene, shows his Irish support during the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Coeur d'Alene.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - Tom Muffly was feeling green on Saturday.
The St. Maries man came to Coeur d'Alene to shop, but one thing led to another and, before he knew it, Muffly, donning his Irish attire, ended up walking in the seventh annual St. Patrick's Day Parade down Sherman Avenue.
"Kelly's serves a good Reuben (sandwich) and a drum group played when we were there," Muffly said. "They said if anyone is wearing green, we could jump in the parade with them."
True to Irish form, Muffly joined the party.
"Just being Irish," he said with a wide smile.
Parade-goers toasted the 20-minute parade that featured entrants ranging from the drum group to decked-out animals to a sheep-herding demonstration that capped the event.
Sunshine peeked out from the clouds during the run and rain stayed away, keeping attendees in a festive mood and hanging around downtown.
Viewers admired Goldilocks, a toy pomeranian fluff ball and among many dogs that strolled in the parade. Goldilocks, ushered by Candy Berlin, turned in circles and was dwarfed by the fire engine that followed.
"She's a rescued dog and this is good exposure," Berlin said. "She's a little nervous, but she doesn't have anything to be afraid of."
The Doty family from Coeur d'Alene said the parade was a great chance to be outside and support their heritage.
"We started this as a tradition last year," said Kristie Doty. "My dad recently passed away, so this means more to me than ever."
The Dotys planned to warm up afterward to Irish stew at home.
"It was just nice to get outside and enjoy the downtown atmosphere," Kristie said.