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A great day to dream

by BILL BULEY
Staff Writer | July 30, 2023 1:08 AM

HAYDEN — Trisha Robinson held the Stars and Stripes high as she walked through the Hayden Days Hometown Heroes Parade on Saturday.

To say she was proud not only of Spotlight Studios North Star, the parade entry she was with, but her country, would be an understatement.

“Love it,” she said. “Happy to be here to celebrate a great nation in a beautiful city in the great state of Idaho.”

Thousands of children and adults lined Government Way to watch the annual parade that went from Hayden Avenue to Honeysuckle Avenue on a beautiful sunny day.

With veteran and Grand Marshal Hal Donahue leading the way, the 40-minute celebration included Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris, the Blazen Divaz, Smokey Bear, cool cars and costumed characters.

A flyover by No Limits Aviation got things rolling.

Among those who came to watch was Jack Hamilton, who had a perfect perch atop the shoulders of his aunt, Suzy Moen.

The toddler didn’t have much to say, but his waving and smiling did the talking for him.

His mother, Sarah Hamilton of Kentucky, said they traveled here to see her father, who was recently hurt in a car accident.

Despite his injuries, her dad urged his daughter to attend the parade and even watched from a vehicle parked nearby.

“He won’t take it easy,” Moen said.

The Hayden Chamber of Commerce float had a surprising theme: Christmas.

Audrey Davis and brother Caleb Davis wore shorts but also sported Santa caps as they carried a “Welcome to the Hayden Chamber of Commerce" banner.

“You can never have Christmas too early,” said their dad, Matthew Davis.

A parade highlight included Spotlight Studios North Star in Hayden, with about 50 boys and girls. They may have stolen the show with energetic and athletic routines that saw kids lofted into the air, and then deftly caught or standing tall on a quickly formed pyramid.

Stephanie Saterfiel, representing the Hayden arts commission, was joined by granddaughter Payton Saterfiel, who was dressed up as Elsa from the movie, "Frozen."

“We want everyone to imagine and draw and dream,” Stephanie said.

Members of the Daughters of the American Revolution brought their Boston Tea Party-themed float to the American Heroes parade, their fourth this year.

Asked if this was the best one, members chatted amongst themselves, nodded and then Leslie Wilde shouted an answer: “Yeah, sure!”

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Jack Hamilton, sitting on the shoulders of aunt Suzy Moen, waves during the Hayden Days parade as mom Sarah Hamilton looks on.

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Trisha Robinson carries an American flag during the Hayden Days parade on Saturday.

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Payton Saterfiel wears an Elsa outfit while walking through the Hayden Days parade joined by her grandmother, Stephanie Saterfiel.

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Mark Sanchez is along for the ride as daughter Kynslee Sanchez drives an old race car, customized for her, in the Hayden Days parade.

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Members of the Daughters of the American Revolution, from left, Diana Williford, Sherry Munther, Leslie Wilde and Kathy Swanson look out at the crowd during the Hayden Days parade.

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Audrey Davis and brother Caleb Davis are in the Christmas spirit as they carry the Hayden Chamber of Commerce banner in the Hayden Days parade on Saturday.

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A dog up for adoption at Companions Animal Center enjoys a ride in the Hayden Days parade.

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Carter Astin and Emerson Astin watch the Hayden Days parade on Saturday.