A lot of bang for your buck
<p>Cadet Airman Jacob chicks, 16, and Sergeant Perrin Fish, 15, of the Coeur d'Alene Civil Air Patrol wash the cars in preparation for the Fourth of July Parade on Friday. The Coeur d'Alene Civil Air Patrol will be performing the opening formation and the closing formation for the Coeur d’Alene Fourth of July Parade.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - Coeur d'Alene has a lot to offer for the Fourth.
Friday's Coeur d'Alene American Heroes Fourth of July Parade starts at 11 a.m. on Sherman Avenue at 15th Street and runs west to Government Way.
There will be music and vendors at City Park from 1-9:30 p.m. There will also be a pie-eating contest at 3:30 p.m. and kids activities at the park.
The fireworks show over Lake Coeur d'Alene starts at dusk between 9:45 and 10 p.m.
The parade generally has between 75 and 90 entries and that many are expected again.
Tom Norris, a Medal of Honor recipient, will be the parade grand marshal. Serving in Vietnam as a Navy SEAL, Norris completed a ground rescue of two downed pilots deep within heavily-controlled enemy territory.
The "Backward Bucket Brigade," featuring the Snake Pit roller derby gals, will be soliciting donations during the parade for the fireworks show. With about $11,000 raised for the $28,000 fireworks bill, the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce hopes the community comes through with donations.
The parade will also include the colorful Blazin' Divas music group; the North Idaho BMX group; 95-year-old Bud Kirchoff, a survivor of the Bataan Death March; and the remodeled Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce Commodores pirate boat.
Press columnist Kerri Thoreson and Marilee Wallace of the chamber of commerce will announce the parade between Second and Third.
The parade has attracted as many as 40,000 people during some years. Organizer Diane Higdem said watching from the area of 15th may not be as crowded as downtown and is shaded in most parts.
The parade sponsor is Knudtsen Chevrolet and the parade presenter is Numerica Credit Union. The Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort and Hotel is the sponsor of the events in the park.
Steve Wilson, president of the chamber of commerce, will give opening remarks at the park at 1 p.m.
There will be music all afternoon and vendors will be available. Nu Jack City, a local band that plays a variety of music, will perform from 8 to 9:30 p.m.
Higdem said beer will not be allowed in the park on the Fourth, per city law. She said the chamber of commerce was approached about a beer garden, but the chamber declined.
Higdem said the intent is to keep the activities family-oriented and problems can crop up when alcohol, a lot of people and a hot day are mixed.