Fourth of July festivities to uplift community, honor firefighters killed Sunday in the line of duty
COEUR d'ALENE — The Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber's American Heroes Fourth of July Parade will be held as usual at 10 a.m. Friday on Sherman Avenue in downtown Coeur d'Alene.
This year's parade theme, with 100 entries, is "Home of the Brave."
The beloved Independence Day tradition has been in doubt by some this week following the shootings Sunday that took the lives of Coeur d'Alene Fire Battalion Chief John Morrison, 52, and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Frank Harwood, 42, who were ambushed when responding to a brush fire on Canfield Mountain.
"In light of the recent tragedy affecting our local fire community, we believe it is more important than ever for us to come together — to stand in unity, to honor the strength of our community and to pay tribute to the brave men and women who serve and protect us," Coeur d'Alene Chamber President and CEO Linda Coppess said Tuesday.
This year's parade will hold even deeper meaning as the community recognizes not only America's military heroes, past and present, but the incredible courage of our first responders, Coppess said.
"We are working closely behind the scenes with our local fire departments and union representatives to ensure there is an appropriate and respectful tribute that has the full support of the organizations and families involved," she said. "Our hearts and prayers are with the families of our fallen and injured heroes. On Friday, we will gather not only in celebration but in solidarity — to lift one another up, to remember and to honor the service and sacrifice of those who protect our lives and our freedoms.”
Other holiday festivities will also continue as normal.
The Kiddie Parade will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday and will go along Sherman from Eighth to First streets. The Backward Parade Brigade will go from Independence Point to 15th Street starting at 9 a.m. Friday. The American Heroes Parade will begin at 10 a.m. and go from 15th Street to Government Way along Sherman.
The free, family-friendly Fourth of July Festival in Coeur d'Alene City Park, 415 Mullan Road, will feature live music via Koep Concerts in the Rotary Bandshell, food trucks, face painting, vendors and more starting at 11 a.m. Oskar Owens will perform at 1:30 p.m., Jess Kunz and Riverboat Dave at 3 p.m., Dr. Phil and the Enablers at 5 p.m. and the Rub at 8 p.m.
"It's just a little mini rock festival on the Fourth of July in City Park," Koep Concerts' Michael Koep said. "The whole vibe for us is about healing. We need events. What we do is we carry on and we get together — we have to be together."
The fireworks will explode over Lake Coeur d'Alene at dusk.
No parking signs will be posted at noon today on Sherman in preparation for the parades. Visit cdachamber.com for the full list of street closures and recommended travel routes.
Free parking will be available in North Idaho College parking lots and along East Rosenberry Drive, as well as in legal street parking spaces. Special event all-day parking passes will be available for $20 at:
• Coeur d'Alene City Hall lot
• Coeur d’Alene Public Library lot
• McEuen Park lot
• Independence Point lot
• City Park lot
• Memorial Field/Carousel lot
• City parking garage
No street parking will be allowed on Sherman Avenue between 5 a.m. and 1 p.m. Friday.
The RUB, seen here during a concert at McEuen Park in 2022, will close out the Fourth of July festival Friday in Coeur d'Alene City Park just before the fireworks show.