'So good to be back'

HAYDEN - The Hometown Heroes Hayden Days parade drew out long-time town festival lovers and first-timers to Government Way Saturday morning.

From Hayden to Honeysuckle avenues, families, friends and residents of Hayden were lined up in anticipation, many grinning ear-to-ear.

For some, like the Anderson family, it was their first year.

"It's just a great event for a small community to come together," the dad of the family, Mitch, said while his two kids chowed down on an assortment of candy passed out by parade participants.

Mitch said the Andersons moved to Hayden less than a year ago after falling in love with the city's beauty and small-town feeling.

"Everyone here is so kind and nice to each other," he said. "It's so awesome to be here."

For toddler Harper Stone, it wasn't just her first time at the Hometown Heroes parade, but her first time at a parade ever, dad Chris said.

"We have a newborn at home, so Mom couldn't come, but she hadn't been to a parade yet, so I wanted to bring her out," Chris Stone explained.

Harper was too busy sucking on a bright yellow otter pop to give her take on the festivities. However, her dad said Harper's favorite part of the Hometown Heroes parade was seeing the Dreams Are Forever Disney Princesses and a mule-drawn carriage led by the Rooter Guys Plumbing & Septic.

More than a dozen floats, walkers, cars, and dancers strutted their stuff down Government Way on the sunny - and not too hot yet - Saturday morning.

Maybe it was the one-year intermission caused by COVID-19, but Post Falls resident Kayla McCoy said the event seemed bigger than years past.

"There is a lot more going on than two years ago, at least it seems like it," McCoy said.

McCoy and her two kids have attended every parade since her husband, Cassidy, started working for the Hayden public works department about 10 years ago.

Across from Hayden City Hall, Larry Hultz enjoyed the view. The 35-year Hayden resident donned his veteran's garb and was repeatedly thanked by parade watchers for his service.

"Thank you for protecting my freedom," one man said as he shook Hultz's hand.

Since moving to Hayden, Hultz has watched the parade every year, even participated a couple of times, he said.

"There are a lot of good people here," Hultz said. "It is amazing how many people turn out for a small, little parade. It's enjoyable for everybody, especially the kids."

Hayden City Administrator Brett Boyer said the best feeling was seeing the celebrations return after the 2020 cancellation.

"It is just so good to be back to be among people and be able to enjoy an event like this as a community," Boyer said. "You miss it when it's gone."