Green wave washes over Cd'A
Mary Reno with the Blazen Divaz smiles and waves during the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Coeur d'Alene on Saturday.
BILL BULEY/Press
Cousins Finn Terra and Jack Dodgion don Leprechaun outfits for Saturday's St. Patrick's Day Parade in Coeur d'Alene.
Gabe Thomas with Idaho Central Credit Union joins the St. Patrick's Day Parade.
A crowd lines Sherman Avenue for the St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday.
Tinkerbell waves her magic wand during the St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday.
Lincoln Dietz sports a spud outfit as he gives out high fives in the St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday.
Lisa Houston and her English bulldog Obi-Wan Kenobi walk the St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Ireland was the minds and backs of parade goers on Saturday.
Heath Wiltse wears his Guinness costume for the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Coeur d'Alene on Saturday.
Girl Scouts walk the St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday.
Big, green hats were popular on Saturday in Coeur d'Alene.
The All Things Irish float passes by the crowd during Saturday's St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Katie Terra pushes son Wells in his stroller during the St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday.
Big, green hats were popular on Saturday in Coeur d'Alene.
COEUR d’ALENE — When it’s time for Coeur d’Alene’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Heath Wiltse doesn’t hold a can of Guinness.
He wears one.
For the 18th year, Wiltse donned his familiar costume, then jigged and waved his way through the annual celebration on Sherman Avenue on Saturday afternoon.
“It’s fun. The kids love it, the adults love it even more,” he said.
Cameron Dietz and son Lincoln joined the parade in potato costumes, each with a green hat and green bow tie. Dad was “Masher the Potato” and son was “Sprout the Potato.”
While Cameron danced about, Lincoln ran around giving out high-fives. It was their first time as a duo in the parade.
“Awesome,” shouted Cameron.
On a sunny, 65-degree day, with the luck of the Irish in the air, thousands of adults and kids lined downtown Sherman Avenue.
The 30-minute parade with a “Green and Gold” theme featured about 25 entries. It was put on by the Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association in partnership with Idaho Central Credit Union.
It was a magical day; all that was missing was a rainbow. The sound of bagpipes filled the air, Sheriff Bob Norris wished everyone a happy St. Patrick's Day and Tinkerbell cast a joyous spell over the crowd.
Nancy DiGiammarco was the grand marshal. Other parade honorees included Patrick Strain as Irish Man of the Year; Laurie Thomas as the Irish Woman of the Year; and Keelin Wilson as the Irish Colleen of the Year.
Almost everyone in the crowd seemed to be wearing green — shirts, pants, hats, socks or shoes, or all of the above.
ICCU perhaps displayed the most spirit, with staff joined by family and friends in moving a wave of green and giving out candy to kids.
“Feeling great,” said ICCU’s Gabe Thomas, sporting sunglasses and a derby hat.
Lisa Houston with the Coeur d’Alene Dog Fanciers was joined by her English bulldog, named Obi-Wan Kenobi, who wore a green handkerchief around his thick neck.
“He’s my 100-pound lap dog,” a smiling Houston said.
The parade couldn't have been any better, she added.
“I’m so excited,” Houston said. “The sun is out. It’s a great day.”
Laurie Thomas, the Irish Woman of the Year, walked the parade route like royalty.
“Loving it,” said Thomas, who is a quarter Irish. “It honors part of my heritage.”
Mary Reno with the Blazen Divaz wore a green shirt, green beaded necklaces, green bracelets and even green stickers on her face.
She was beaming as she held the Blazen Divaz banner with her right hand and waved with her left.
“Beautiful day,” she said. “Everybody comes out and everybody is Irish.”
The St. Patrick’s Day fun continues today at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library with music, trivia, prizes and more with an Irish theme. It starts at 1 p.m.
Cousins Finn Terra and Jack Dodgion don Leprechaun outfits for Saturday's St. Patrick's Day Parade in Coeur d'Alene.
Gabe Thomas with Idaho Central Credit Union joins the St. Patrick's Day Parade.
A crowd lines Sherman Avenue for the St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday.
Tinkerbell waves her magic wand during the St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday.
Lincoln Dietz sports a spud outfit as he gives out high fives in the St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday.
Lisa Houston and her English bulldog Obi-Wan Kenobi walk the St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Ireland was the minds and backs of parade goers on Saturday.
Heath Wiltse wears his Guinness costume for the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Coeur d'Alene on Saturday.
Girl Scouts walk the St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday.
Big, green hats were popular on Saturday in Coeur d'Alene.
The All Things Irish float passes by the crowd during Saturday's St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Katie Terra pushes son Wells in his stroller during the St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday.