Fourth festivities to light up Cd'A

COEUR d'ALENE — Ron Ouren's deep community roots have borne much fruit in Kootenai County.

The ultra-volunteer and retired businessman who served in the Army National Guard will be grand marshal in today's Old-Fashioned American Fun Fourth of July Parade at 10 a.m. on Sherman Avenue.

Ouren's involvement has included Coeur d'Alene Rotary, Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association, North Idaho College and Coeur d'Alene High booster clubs, Panhandle Parks Foundation, baseball planning, Kootenai Humane Society and North Idaho Fair Foundation.

"He really has done a lot for the community," parade organizer Miranda Hamilton said.

Ouren spent 52 years in the banking industry. He retired from Community 1st Bank in April.

"He really cares about people and does the right thing," said Dave Bobbitt, who worked with Ouren for many years before retiring as chairman and CEO of Community 1st Bank in June.

Bobbitt shared the story of a local resident who came to Ouren for a second consolidation loan, but Ouren turned him down on the basis that the man hadn't demonstrated wise business sense. Instead, Ouren offered sound advice, which turned around the resident's financial situation.

Bobbitt said the applicant still banks with Community 1st because of Ouren's direction, which turned the business tide.

"That story speaks volumes about Ron as a person," Bobbitt said.

Ouren will be accompanied in the parade by his wife Karen, who retired last year as a hair salon owner. They will be escorted by Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce President Brent Lyles.

Hamilton said a record 96 entries are expected for the parade. Coeur d'Alene Press Columnist Kerri Thoreson will be the emcee. The parade, which runs westbound from 15th Street to Government Way, is expected to last about an hour and a half.

Another parade highlight will be Ken Brock, a retired military police investigator, and his service dog Pam. They walked 2,650 miles from Florida to Coeur d'Alene to raise awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project. Brock's son Arek is a deputy for the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office.

On-street downtown parking will not be enforced today for the Fourth.

However, $20 for parking will be charged at the following lots:

- city hall;

- library;

- McEuen Park;

- Independence Point;

- Museum of North Idaho;

- Memorial Field;

- Coeur d'Alene Avenue parking garage; and

- the Garden Avenue lot north of the courthouse.

The Chamber of Commerce leases the lots on the Fourth to raise funds for the fireworks display over Lake Coeur d'Alene.

Representatives of the nonprofit will also be at the parade to accept donations for the fireworks.

The fundraising goal for the fireworks is $35,000.

Marilee Wallace, the chamber's vice president of membership, said half of that amount has been raised.

"All of the money goes toward paying the fireworks bill," Wallace said.

Donations can also be made at cdachamber.com or on the chamber's Facebook page.

Roughly 30,000 people flood downtown and the lakefront each Fourth of July for the fireworks, which last up to a half hour, Wallace said.

Businesses, groups or individuals who donate $500 or more can have their donation published with a photo in The Press.

There will be music, vendors and amusement rides in City Park from noon to 7 p.m. today. The rides are a new feature to the Fourth festivities.

"We're trying to get back to the Playland Pier (former Coeur d'Alene amusement park) vibe," Hamilton said. "We want to try to keep people downtown all day. The rides are one more thing to keep people entertained."