Event set for Saturday, March 13

Who needs 76 trombones when you've got a gaggle of Irish Setters.

It's time again for folks to submit entry forms for the annual Coeur d'Alene St. Patrick's Day Parade, put on by the Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association.

Not the toughest gig to land.

"We're not really too picky," said Gay Glasson, events coordinator with the Downtown Association. "It's whatever people would love to share with families."

The real fun of the Sherman Avenue event, set for 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 13, is the easy attitude of everyone involved, she said.

The parade is open to anyone, with a $40 fee for non-commercial entries, and $50 for commercial.

The few stipulations include portraying the parade themes, "Happy St. Patrick's Day" or "A Wearin' of the Green."

Entries tend to run the gamut, Glasson said, from groups of Irish Wolfhounds and Irish Setters to bagpipe bands.

"It's great stuff," she said. "It's usually a gorgeous spring day, we have lots of families who come out, and the kids love all the dogs and it's marvelous."

Entry forms are available at the Coeur d'Alene Visitor Center, as well as the Downtown Association Web site: www.cdadowntown.com.

Smoking and drinking isn't allowed for any participants, according to the entry form, nor can they hand out candy or other items along the parade route.

Otherwise, things are pretty lax.

"I don't get overly concerned with line-up numbers. It tends to be almost like a picnic as people are lining up for the parade," Glasson said. "Everybody is talking and laughing and having a good time and enjoying the day. It's a lot of fun."

For more information, call Glasson at 415-0116.