Post Falls celebrates 'hometown pride'
Liam Chacon,center, smiles while holding his cousin Nova, left, and his sister Ceci, at the Post Falls Day parade on Saturday. JACK DeWITT/Press
Post Falls High School Senior, Victor Chacon, #60, carries an American flag with his varsity football teammates.
2026 Miss Idaho, Heather Routh, smiles and laughs while waving to onlookers during the Post Falls parade on Saturday.
JACK DEWITT/Press
Novalee Haney waves to the crowd while riding her horse, Duchess.
Mary Pettit waves a USA sign in celebration of America250.
Carolyn Strauch walks with her arm out so her American flag dress can blow in the wind.
Mike Macdonald revs his motorcycle for the kids in the crowd.
JACK DeWITT/Press
Madison John and Jordan Cisco strut in their inflatable costumes.
Albeni Falls Pipes and Drums of North Idaho marches and plays the bagpipes.
Victor Chacon beamed with pride as he and members of the Post Falls High School varsity football team began their walk down Seltice Way for the Post Falls Parade on Saturday.
His love for his hometown is what inspired his participation.
“It is such an amazing thing to celebrate, it shows pride and love for the city we call home,” he said.
He attends the Post Falls Festival yearly and loves seeing his neighbors and friends lined up to watch the parade.
“I love that it’s a beautiful city with many things that make it great, but the thing that makes it so great is the community,” he said.
More than 1,000 people lined the sidewalks to watch the Post Falls Parade. Dwane Miller has attended for decades and doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon.
“I’ve been coming for about 50 years,” he said. “I just keep supporting my town.”
Hundreds of people took part in the parade, building small floats, riding in the beds of trucks and horses and wearing costumes. Post Falls Mayor Randy Westlund and members of City council, also made an appearance.
For Dillon Cox, who was joined by wife Dalia Chacon and two children Liam and Ceci, the parade means spending time with his family.
“It’s a great event,” he said. “My family loves coming every year.”
People on floats and in trucks threw candy, blew bubbles, handed out toys and played music to celebrate America250. For some parents the candy is the best part.
“We have a good time, the kids get candy that we eat while they are asleep,” said Ryan Herrera.
Herrera also enjoys the simplicity of the Post Falls Parade, saying that it wasn't “politicized” and that it was “what it should be.”
Yayo Gutierrez brought his family, whose favorite part was all of the different ATVs and side-by-sides.
“It was really nice,” he said. “We like to be involved.”
For the North Idaho Sparklers, the parade was bittersweet.
While participating in the Fourth of July parade on July 4, in Coeur d’Alene, Kelly Dickey and the other Sparklers learned of the passing of fellow North Idaho Sparkler, Sarah Johnson.
Dressed in red, white and blue with shiny colored pompoms, the North Idaho Sparklers carried a banner with Johnson's photo on it, their way of remembering a friend.
“It was in honor of her,” Dickey said.
Post Falls High School Senior, Victor Chacon, #60, carries an American flag with his varsity football teammates.
2026 Miss Idaho, Heather Routh, smiles and laughs while waving to onlookers during the Post Falls parade on Saturday.
Novalee Haney waves to the crowd while riding her horse, Duchess.
Mary Pettit waves a USA sign in celebration of America250.
Carolyn Strauch walks with her arm out so her American flag dress can blow in the wind.
Mike Macdonald revs his motorcycle for the kids in the crowd.
Madison John and Jordan Cisco strut in their inflatable costumes.
Albeni Falls Pipes and Drums of North Idaho marches and plays the bagpipes.