This parade will go on
BILL BULEY | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years AGO
All Things Irish Co-Owner Craig Moss helps Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney Barry McHugh fit into his grand marshal jacket prior to this weekend’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
LOREN BENOIT/Press
Bill Buley covers the city of Coeur d'Alene for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He has worked here since January 2020, after spending seven years on Kauai as editor-in-chief of The Garden Island newspaper. He enjoys running. | March 10, 2020 1:14 AM
Kootenai County Prosecutor Barry McHugh has been in parades as a candidate for public office.
This Saturday, he’ll be in the St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Coeur d’Alene, but it has nothing to do with politics.
It’s about heritage — and perhaps a pint, too.
“My lineage is 92 percent Irish,” he said. “So I’m excited about being able to participate in an event that is intended to draw attention to that same lineage.”
McHugh will be the grand marshal for the annual parade that is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. at Eighth and Sherman.
Monday, he was fitted for his outfit at All Things Irish — a kilt, Prince Charlie jacket and vest, Irish kilt hose, flashers, belt and a sgian-dubh, which is a small dagger.
“In Scotland, they call it the black knife,” said Craig Moss, after he finished outfitting McHugh and explained a bit of Irish kilt and jacket history.
The annual St. Patrick’s Day parade with the theme, “Shamrock Sherman,” is set to go on despite the cancellation in Ireland of all St. Patrick’s Day parades.
“Absolutely,” said Ilene Moss, parade organizer and owner of All Things Irish on Sherman Avenue when asked if Coeur d’Alene’s Patrick’s Day celebration would be held.
The weather forecast is calling for rain and snow and temperatures in the 20s and 30s Saturday, which isn’t exactly ideal parade conditions. But a spirited crowd will still come out to watch, cheer and toast about 20 entries that include floats, dancers, musicians, Irish Setters and perhaps someone in a Guinness costume or leaping like a leprechaun.
Entries just need to have an Irish theme and are still being accepted by the CDA Downtown Association.
All Things Irish will have Arvid Lundin & Deep Roots performing in its shop from noon to 2, along with a photo booth and some store specials. The Coeur d’Alene Firefighters pipe band, which is in the parade, will also be stopping by.
The fifth annual Coeur d’Irish party will be held at The Coeur d’Alene Resort Saturday, beginning at 5:30 p.m. There will be Irish bagpipes, dancers, food, whiskey and yes, green beer. Tickets are $40, with proceeds supporting the Coeur d’Alene Rotary Club.
Ilene Moss said she always wanted to ask John McHugh, Barry McHugh’s father and Coeur d’Alene’s mayor from 1970 to 1974, to be the parade grand marshal, but never did. John McHugh died in 2015 at age 85.
“That’s why you should never put anything off,” she said. “Barry’s been on my mind ever since then.”
Barry, she said, will be a fine grand marshal.
Asked what qualifications are necessary to be the grand marshal, Ilene Moss smiled. It’s not too complicated.
“You have to be interested in Ireland,” she said.
Barry McHugh is more than interested.
He said he enjoys celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, though “not as much as I used to when I was younger.”
He’ll be practicing his wave this week, as that’s what he’ll be doing as he walks ahead of the Color Guard carrying the flags of Ireland, America and Scotland.
It’s the grand marshal who sets the tone, so McHugh hopes to have fun as he greets the crowd. But, he’s taking this seriously, too.
“I’ve got the pride of the Irish to maintain,” he said while still wearing his kilt.
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