COEUR d'ALENE - Jerry Neely might be a citizen of Ireland soon.

Leave it to a retired educator to research the oft-overlooked requirements that allow Americans like Neely to become eligible for dual citizenship.

Turns out, since his grandfather was from Ireland, Neely can apply for Irish status too.

Which he did.

"I'm doing it just for fun," he said, working through the Irish Embassy in San Francisco. "It doesn't mean anything. Except if I go to Ireland, I don't need a passport."

Meanwhile, while his application processes, Neely is in charge of leading the sixth annual St. Patrick's Day parade Saturday through Coeur d'Alene - as Grand Marshal.

Helping him with the task will be 17-year-old Katrina Ely, who was named Irish Colleen.

What's it take to lead a parade?

"I know absolutely nothing about what I'm going to do," Neely said. "The only thing they said is wear something green, which won't be hard to do since I do anyway."

His qualifications for the honor?

"There's three Irish pubs in town and I've been to all of them," he said.

Not true. Neely was chosen for his 32 years as high school teacher and counselor in Idaho, Montana and Washington. He also volunteers his time at the Coeur d'Alene Visitor's Bureau, the Ford Coeur d'Alene Ironman and triathlon as well as the Coeur d'Alene summer theater.

Ely, meanwhile, is a Coeur d'Alene High School junior who carries a 4.3 grade point average and spent time in Ireland in the summer as a student ambassador for the People to People Program.

The firsthand learning experience has left Ely eager to go back to Ireland after she goes to college and pursues a liberal arts degree.

"It was incredible," she said. "I've always really wanted to go to England and Ireland."

As far as how it is to lead a parade, she's not sure. But, "I'm really, really excited about it," she said. "It should be really fun. Hopefully, the weather is better."

The traditional parade begins at 4 p.m. at the intersection of Eighth Street and Sherman Avenue. Once it kicks off, it cruises west toward the Coeur d'Alene Area Chamber of Commerce building. Those still interested in joining the procession have until Thursday to register.

Info: Gay Glasson at 415-0116.