COEUR d'ALENE - A Coeur d'Alene City Councilman with true Irish roots will be grand marshal of this year's St. Patrick's Day Parade next Saturday.

Mike Kennedy, a third-generation American whose grandfather, John, was born on the last day of the 19th century and emigrated to the U.S. shortly before the Great Depression, will lead off the fifth annual parade, "A Wearin' of the Green."

"This is the coolest thing that has happened to me since I was elected, other than the birth of my children," Kennedy said. "It is just going to be so much fun."

The parade will begin at 4 p.m., in the middle of a day of festivities to celebrate the holiday. Downtown businesses will offer a variety of activities throughout the day, said Ilene Moss, owner of All Things Irish and parade organizer.

Prior to the parade, the store will offer face painting for kids, along with music by Arvid Lundin and Deep Roots. After the parade, there will be karaoke, open to everyone even if not an Irish tenor.

Bars and restaurants up and down the street will be decked out in green, with plenty of corned beef and cabbage and Irish stew.

At Sherman Park, the trees will be lit with green bulbs and Irish music will play.

Kennedy was a perfect choice to lead the parade, Moss said.

"We always wanted to find somebody who is close to their Irish heritage," she said.

Among the entries already in for the parade are the Coeur d'Alene Firefighters Pipe and Drum Band, The St. Patrick's Irish Dance group, Coeur d'Alene Dog Fanciers with their Irish setters, the Kootenai County Saddle Club with a dozen horses, Sons of Norway and others.

"It is fun seeing kids all decked out in green," she said.

Entries are still open for those who want to join in the fun. Entry fees are $40 for non-commercial and $50 for commercial.

The weather forecast for Saturday is mostly sunny, with highs in the mid-50s.

"It never rains on our parade," Moss said. "It wouldn't dare."

Information: 415-0116 or e-mail info@cdadowntown.com