Calling all leprechauns
BILL BULEY | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 1 month AGO
Members of the Coeur d'Alene Firefighters Pipes and Drums play bagpipes while marching down Sherman Avenue during the 2016 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Coeur d'Alene.
JAKE PARRISH/Press File
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 4, 2022 1:00 AM
St. Patrick’s Day is about having a good time, and the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association is going all out to make sure its St. Patrick’s Day Parade is exactly that.
“This is a parade we want to really build up,” said Emily Boyd, association executive director. “We want to make it a big event and have it come back with a bang.”
It will be the first time for the event in two years after being canceled due to COVID-19.
“I think the community is very excited to have some energy back around St. Patrick’s Day,” Boyd said.
But there hasn’t yet been a scurry of responses as only a handful of folks have registered for the parade, whose theme is "Shamrock Sherman."
There's still time to join the fun and perhaps receive an Irish blessing along the way.
The Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber of Commerce is joining the call for entries in the 17th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade set for March 12 in downtown Coeur d’Alene.
The theme of the parade, also presented by the Idaho Central Credit Union, is generally a short but spirited affair with plenty of green, Irish blessings and cries of "Sláinte!"
Organizers are still spreading the word and encouraging businesses, community groups and residents to get involved and make it a day of good luck.
Kootenai County Prosecutor Barry McHugh is back as grand marshal after being on hold for the past two years.
It usually includes marching bands, dancers, floats, leprechauns and Irish wolf hounds.
So far, parade entries includes the Blazen Divaz, Coeur d’Alene Dog Fanciers, and the All Things Irish float.
Boyd said they're hoping for about 20 entries that are “green, musical and exciting.”
“Anything that’s going to be entertaining,” she said.
“The more entries we can gather, the better the parade for the community,” Boyd said.
It's scheduled to start at 3 p.m. at Eighth and Sherman Avenue and travel west to Government Way and Northwest Boulevard.
Traditionally, hundreds of people come out to watch and enjoy a pint or two afterward.
Register for the parade by March 6.
Info: cdadowntown.com
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