COEUR d’ALENE — Before playing the bagpipes in Paddy’s Sports Bar on St. Patrick’s Day, Kristin Stafford practiced outside.

The shrill wailing caught the attention of three women who just left Paddy’s after having lunch. Stafford was happy to oblige when one asked if she could take her picture.

On this day, the Rathdrum woman is always in a great mood.

“It’s the one time I’m really welcomed by everybody,” she said, smiling.

Her son Taelor joined her a minute later and they chatted before heading into Paddy’s for their annual St. Patrick’s Day performance with the Lake City Highland Dancers.

“It’s going to be fun,” Taelor said. “Hopefully, I don’t hit the ceiling.”

About 10 members of the Scottish Highland dance studio based in Coeur d'Alene led by instructor Victoria Hawkins began lining up against the wall. They took their places in order as they readied to follow Stafford’s lead.

As they walked toward the front door in a straight line on a sunny afternoon, Hawkins, coming up last, gave last-minute instructions.

“Everyone smile lots,” she said.

They did.

To the sounds of Stafford’s bagpipes, girls ages 6 to 16 delighted the crowd packed into Paddy’s celebrating a day that has become the pride of the Irish.

Some put down their pint of Guinness, stopped eating their Reuben sandwich, and watched as the dancers delivered a fun, energetic performance that included an Irish jig and a Scottish waltz.

Wearing outfits of red, blue or green, they bowed, kicked, jumped and twirled and stamped their feet next to pool tables, on a Paddy’s logo and next to folks seated in the dining area.

They didn’t flinch, not even when customers walked past them just a few feet away.

After 20 minutes, they marched their way outside, under the green streamers hanging from the ceiling, as the crowded applauded and put tip money in a hat.

The spirit, and luck of the Irish, was with them.

“I love St. Patrick’s Day,” Hawkins said. “It’s one of my favorite holidays.”

Her younger sisters, Bethany Hawkins and Talie Hawkins, are following in big sister’s footsteps.

Talie is headed to a regional competition soon with hopes of qualifying for nationals, and Bethany is rising through the ranks of Lake City Highland Dance.

“They all did great,” Hawkins said.

Talie said she was nervous, but showed confidence when it came time for her turn in the spotlight, bounding with grace and power.

“It feels better when I’m dancing,” she said.

Bethany enjoyed performing some new dances for all the parents and kids packed into Paddy’s

Back outside, she smiled as she recounted how it went.

“I thought I did pretty good,” Bethany said.

She did the Irish proud.