'Reach for something great'
LOREN BENOIT/Press Members of the Pappy Boyington Detachment of the Marine Corps League march down Sherman Avenue in Thursday’s parade.
Hundreds of locals and visitors watch the Fourth of July Parade near 2nd Street in downtown Coeur d'Alene. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
Denny Burt plays a tune with other Perfection-not's band members during the Fourth of July Parade on Sherman Avenue. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
The Red Hot Mamas dance down Sherman Avenue during the Fourth of July Parade. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
Members of the Civil Air Patrol carry the American Flag down Sherman Avenue during the Fourth of July Parade. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
Josh Nichols and Heather Martinez, and other members of the Bikers Against Teen Addiction and Abuse group, ride down Sherman Avenue during the Fourth of July parade. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
Rod Kent, of Coeur d'Alene, and his grandson Nyle Giraldo, 2, watch the Fourth of July parade on Sherman Avenue. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
Wilson
The Malm Family (from left): Sammi, Tyruss and Jessica
Aubree McCauley
Mitch Kennedy
By CRAIG NORTHRUP
Staff Writer
After a strong showing at Ironman Sunday and an encouraging crowd Wednesday, tens of thousands converged for a downtown party trifecta Thursday morning, lining Sherman Avenue to cheer on passers-by in Coeur d’Alene’s Fourth of July parade.
Celebrating “Old-Fashioned American Fun,” the annual event — sponsored by the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce — brought out entries that represented all things Americana, from classic cars to local football teams to displays of service from our Armed Forces.
Wendy Wilson of Coeur d’Alene sat at a table outside Crafted and admired the horses trotting by. “I love coming to this every year,” the longtime parade-goer said. “I love watching the kids have fun, and you get to know what’s going on in the community. You get to see some of the new businesses, groups and people that call our town home. It’s really a great way to get to know people.”
Valarie Foley came from Fresno, Calif., for the holiday weekend. A connoisseur of parades, she took the sights in outside the Beacon. “It’s great to see the whole town turn out like this. This really is the best small-town America parade I’ve ever seen, and everyone here is so warm and friendly. It’s just a perfect slice of small-town America.”
Sammi Malm of Post Falls agreed. “It’s a great way to socialize with the rest of the community,” she said with her wife, Jessica, and their son, Tyruss, by her side. “And Tyruss is having a blast.” His hands-down favorite was Smokey the Bear, he said.
Karen Krueger of Rathdrum, who said she has attended the parade too many years to count, said the event brought out the nation’s best.
“Whether you’re coming out for the music,” she said, “or the kids, or just if you’re people-watching, this really grabs your heart. It makes you proud to be an American.
“So often, you get shouted down if you happen to be wearing a red [MAGA] hat,” she continued. “But here, you can be who you want to be. You’re surrounded by patriotism. There’s nothing here but patriotism. It makes you really proud to be American.”
Mike McCauley of Coeur d’Alene — standing beside wife Aubree, 4-year-old Sawyer and 1-year-old Finn — said while he was glad this day celebrated America, he was particularly happy to see the parade give special thanks to those who serve.
“I don’t think there’s anything they need to add,” he said. “They went out of their way this year to honor our veterans, honor police, honor our firemen. And I also love coming out here just to see everybody come out into town. It’s awesome how it brings everybody downtown: I’ve seen people down here I haven’t seen in years.”
“It’s really great to be down here,” Aubree agreed. “It’s really cool to see it grow the way it has. You get to see the best of what this town offers, and [Sawyer and Finn] love the fire trucks.”
A total of 96 entries, including local businesses, upcoming political candidates, city and county workers, public officials, community organizations, school clubs and more — marched the 15-block route this year, many draped in the American flag or doused in red, white and blue.
“It’s very patriotic,” Mitch Kennedy of Coeur d’Alene said, a beard of red, white and blue glitter sparkling from his face. “It’s a really great community event, and it shows how much our community loves America.”
“This isn’t just a parade that celebrates our past,” Wilson said. “It’s also about our future. We’re a diverse area that’s growing and always striving to improve upon ourselves and reach for something great. These are the things that make our town distinct.”