Hard to believe that it's already almost the Fourth of July - and a welcome weather forecast for sunny skies over the holiday weekend to boot.

For over four decades our family tradition of celebrating America's birthday includes the Coeur d'Alene parade. I have great memories of the event from my youth, and when my daughters were young and later with my grandsons. My daughters and now their sons loved to put dollar bills in the fireworks fund buckets before the parade. When we'd watch the fireworks that night they would wait for the one burst they would claim as "theirs." For many years my late father rode in the machine gun turret of a tank at the front of the parade with his buddies from the Marine Corps League and the Chosin Few. I've driven beauty queens and a grand marshal or two, memorably the late Ace Walden four years ago in his centennial year. It was a Norman Rockwell kind of day on Coeur d'Alene's Main Street, aka Sherman Avenue. Mostly we've been enthusiastic, flag-waving spectators on the sidewalk.

This year I'm absolutely thrilled to have been invited to take on a new role ... one with a fabulous view. This Yankee Doodle Dandy will be in the announcer's stand between Second and Third streets, with a microphone. See you at the parade!***

Another Ironman Coeur d'Alene is in the rearview mirror and it was a great one. I started the day with the folks from Regence Blue Shield, setting sail from the Third Street docks at 6 a.m. Scott, Michael, Danielle, Sheryl, Paul, Darci and Maureen were great early morning hosts. Also on board was Kirsten Ward and it was interesting to hear some of her observations as the swimmers got ready to take to the water. Kirsten has crossed the finish line at six Ironman events!Throughout the day and into the late evening here are some of the people who inspired and amazed ... Coeur d'Alene's fire chief and chief of police, Kenny Gabriel and Wayne Longo, along with first responders on Independence Point dock. They had the task of caring for and consoling the athletes who had to leave the water. The volunteer "peelers" who assisted athletes in removing wetsuits with precision and patience. Fans along the route. Volunteers at aid stations throughout the city, including the Coeur d'Alene Library parking lot. Police officers choreographing traffic crossing of Mullan Avenue at 15th Street.

On Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive ... Boys and Girls Club featuring Team Davis and Sam Davis celebrating his 11th birthday, Beachouse customers with a water hose providing a cooling spray and vocal support, the Coeur d'Alene Chamber's pirate float at pirate-themed Hospice of North Idaho aid station, diners on the deck at Tony's enjoying the view, Peak Fitness with a full-fledged barbecue going and a band rocking out.

Downtown ... VIP Captain Sue Walker everywhere from morning until the next morning, Mayor Sandi Bloem at the finish line cheering on the athletes, volunteer "catchers" guiding the euphoric and exhausted finishers, Chris LaVoie beaming with pride when his sister, Jaimee Myer, finished her first Ironman.At the finish line when pro athlete Craig Alexander came across as the first finisher in record time, I was amazed when the Aussie immediately gave an interview and wasn't even short of breath. Enjoyed making the acquaintance of Cindy and Doug Weatherby from Florida. The Recovery Pump owners were experiencing Coeur d'Alene for the first time and introduced themselves after seeing my Media lanyard. Said they were so impressed with the hospitality and of the enthusiastic coverage of the event by the Coeur d'Alene Press.

Kudos to Matt Fuller ... Volunteer of the Year out of a field of over 3,000 incredible volunteers! See More Main Street online for my photos from the weekend event.***

Happy birthday today to Neil Conner and Caroline Havens. Tomorrow, the last day of June, Louise Bershers, Patty McGinnis, George Green, Kimberly Carlson and Rosie Brown will be celebrating. On July 1 Mark Johnson, Bill Brown, Tim Riorden, Byron Hamby and Arlene Reichenberg are marking their birthdates. Come Saturday wish Tonya Bruno Bean, Red Cozzetto and Ted Wright a happy birthday. On Independence Day Eve, Jeff Ward will have his cake and eat it, too! Celebrating with all of America a July 4 birthday are Chris Atkinson, Joscelyn Ramsey, Jake Campbell, Keri Raybal, MaryBeth Matthews, Tyson Chamberlain, Britney Davenport, Jack Smetana, Glenda Johnson, Amber Hunt and Orla Kahl. On Tuesday Chris Hollibaugh, John Beutler, Kaila Hansen and Amy Dreps will blow out their birthday candles.***

THERE'S MORE: New stories and photos at More Main Street. Add your birthday to the Main Street Birthday Club on the link there!***

Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. She was voted Best Local Writer for 2010 by the readers of the North Idaho Business Journal. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press. More Main Street blog is at http://moremainstreet.blogspot.com. Listen to Main Street Monday on KVNI AM1080. Kerri can be reached at mainstreet@cdapress.com