Hayden celebrates hometown heroes
The Blazen Divas pumped up the crowd as they danced down Government Way. KAYE THORNBRUGH/Press
Charlotte Durham, age 2, enjoyed her first parade with her mom, Bree. KAYE THORNBRUGH/Press
Young athletes from Spotlight Gymnastics wowed the crowd with aerial maneuvers. KAYE THORNBRUGH/Press
Miss Gem State Stampede Brianna Hoekstra waved to the crowd during the 2022 Hayden Days Parade. KAYE THORNBRUGH/Press
Mules Patsy and Pearl drew a carriage along the parade route. KAYE THORNBRUGH/Press
HAYDEN — Holding a red, white and blue pinwheel that spun in the breeze, 2-year-old Charlotte Durham laughed and waved at the parade rolling by.
Her mom, Bree, beamed as she pointed out Smokey Bear and Miss Gem State Stampede, Brianna Hoekstra, who rode on horseback. Charlotte was delighted.
“It’s her first parade,” Bree said with a smile. “She’s loving it.”
The Durhams were among the hundreds of people who lined Government Way on Saturday morning for the Hayden Days “Hometown Heroes” Parade.
The parade marked the beginning of the second and final day of the annual celebration, with festivities centered around McIntire Family Park.
Hometown heroes of all ages made their way proudly through the heart of Hayden. Carrying American flags, scouts from Hayden Canyon Charter Troop 360 led the way.
Local elected officials were all smiles as they cruised down Government Way, including recently-appointed interim Hayden Mayor Scott Forssell and all four members of the Hayden City Council, as well as Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris.
Crowds cheered for first responders from the Sheriff’s Office and Northern Lakes Fire District.
Behind Miss Gem State Stampede, a carriage drawn by mules Patsy and Pearl was greeted with smiles and cheers. Meanwhile, kids and adults alike eagerly scooped up candy that was tossed generously into the crowds along the parade route.
The ladies of the Blazen Divas energized the crowd as they danced down the street to upbeat ’70s music.
Young athletes from Technique Gymnastics and Spotlight Gymnastics, both based in Hayden, wowed the crowd with their well-practiced moves.
All along the parade route, under relentless heat, Spotlight gymnasts paused periodically to perform flips and aerial maneuvers.
In the crowd were proud parents Duke and Melanie Bell, whose 5-year-old daughter Lana was among the gymnasts from Technique.
The parade was Lana’s first time performing for an audience. She loved every minute — and what came after.
“She’s getting lots of candy,” her dad said with a laugh.
Melanie Bell said the Hayden Days parade was great fun for the whole family.
“It reminds me of parades from when I was a kid,” she said.
