COEUR d'ALENE - The fifth annual St. Patrick's Day parade - "A Wearin' of the Green" - stepped off Saturday along Sherman Avenue without a drop of rain, making it a complete success.

Several hundred people lined the street wearing their green clothes and paint, weathering the cool temperatures. Once the parade ended many people made for restaurants and bars along the strip.

"All sorts of great characters - some great hats," said parade watcher Rich Newsome, 42, of Moscow.

He said he and his wife, Amy, 41, and daughter, Jamie, 12, "stumbled upon" the parade during their visit to Coeur d'Alene.

Newsome, who captured some photos of the colorful affair, said, "It was great."

Dianne Kelley, one of the owners of Kelley Valley Alpacas, of Dalton Gardens, participated in the parade with two alpacas, Milo, 2, and Dalton, 1.

"Everybody wants to touch them" and the animals' thick, soft fleece, she said. No surprise there.

"We're here showing them off a bit," she said.

She hoped the animals' appearance at the parade would lead more people to come out and see the 20-plus alpacas on her family's ranch, at 5797 North Valley St.

Coeur d'Alene City Councilman Mike Kennedy was the parade's grand marshal.

The parade featured 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, Sons of Norway and others.

The Kootenai Humane Society trotted along the parade route with seven dogs to generate some public exposure.

"We're out here to create some awareness, and get these pets some good homes," said society volunteer Laura Wineteer. She said the society currently has 90 cats and 40 dogs that needs homes.

After the parade, the Coeur d'Alene Firefighters Pipe and Drum Band played multiple encores for those who lingered around outside after the festive event.