Help light the fuse to the Fourth

| June 19, 2015 9:00 PM

Coeur d'Alene's tribute to the birth of our nation is a little like freedom itself.

It isn't free.

Behind the star-spangled parade cheered by tens of thousands packed along Sherman Avenue and the spectacular fireworks display over Lake Coeur d'Alene are months of planning, hard work and heavy spending. There's no such thing as a free birthday party.

With help from some amazing friends, the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce manages to pull off minor miracles every Fourth. It is the Chamber, after all, that shoulders the burden of bringing this sensational celebration to the heart of the Lake City each summer.

We submit that there are few more emotional events than the Fourth of July in North Idaho. Watching the expressions of our heroes as they march in the parade is a deeply moving experience. Etched in so many of those faces are the creases paid for in blood and years of nightmares. There's pride in those faces though, too - the pride that can only be earned by putting everything you've got behind an ideal worth dying for.

When dusk finally gives way to darkness and the sky literally explodes, introspection turns to jubilation. The fireworks grand finale is always a fitting finale to a fabulous day.

We're calling on our fellow North Idahoans to tap into the emotion of the hour and show their appreciation for a powerful and expensive celebration that must never been taken for granted. Drop off your check at the Chamber of Commerce or mail it to Coeur d'Alene Community Fireworks, 105 N. First St., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814, Attention: Diane Higdem. For group or business gifts of $500 or more, call Diane at (208) 292-1635 or email her: Diane@CdAChamber.com

While you're getting out your checkbook, we'd like to recognize just a few of the businesses that are keeping the July Fourth show going strong:

Knudtsen Chevrolet, Numerica Credit Union, Coeur d'Alene Tribe, Idaho Central Credit Union, Fightin Creek Market and Smoke Shop, Walmart, Runge Furniture, Atchley Financial, Contractors Northwest, SpringHill Suites, Phones Plus, Hecla Mining Company, Century 21 Beutler & Associates, Empire Airlines, Fox Trailers, Pioneer Title, Capone's, Washington Trust, and those wonderful residents of CDA North Towers.