COEUR d'ALENE - If the sheep spook, they could wander into the crowd.

That's their modus operandi on the 120-acre spread in Dover, so on their inaugural pilgrimage down Sherman Avenue during the 7th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, they could get a bit frazzled by the noise from the spectators, some of whom may be sober.

"Crowds or loud noises, that type of a thing," said Randy Curless, sheep owner, on what frightens the docile animals. "Sheep have no depth perception, so if they get panicked they'll run into things."

But Curless owns border collies, nature's natural sheep herder, and a few will be on hand to keep the sheep in line as they trot down the main drag.

"I've never done it in parades before," Curless said of his inaugural run.

Usually the dog trainer demonstrates at shows and fairs.

But sheep herding, which is how Curless trains his dogs, can be very Irish. Think of Ireland's green hillside, and sheep are grazing up there, aren't they?

Saturday, they'll stomp down Sherman Avenue at 4 p.m. The parade is put on by the Downtown Association, and starts at Eighth Street. Dr. John Giesen, parade grand marshal, and Irish Colleen Sharon Kearns will lead the procession, which includes marchers, autos and floats.

But keep an eye out for the sheep, who would wander the crowd's way if it weren't for the border collies.

"It should be a lot of fun to watch," said Ilene Moss, owner of All Things Irish, who is helping organize the parade.

An Irish folk singer will sing tunes at the public library from 1 to 2 p.m. The annual parade usually runs the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day, but this year it's one and the same. Applications to enter the parade can still be filled out.

Info: Gay Glasson, 415-0116.