The 'Daze' of their lives
BILL BULEY | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 6 months AGO
John Churchill's patriotism is on display as he rides through the Bayview Daze Fourth of July parade on Saturday.
BILL BULEY/Press
Kim Ward wears a Statue of Liberty cap as she waves and watches the Bayview Daze parade on Saturday.
Members of the North Idaho Sparklers show their moves in the Bayview Daze parade on Saturday.
Aaron Willrich wears a red, white and blue dinosaur outfit for the Bayview Daze parade on Saturday.
Kim Poage waves as she rides an ATV in the Bayview Daze parade.
Mia Crawford shows off her ducky she received at the Bayview Daze parade on Saturday.
Bascom Palmer of Bayview enjoys the Bayview Daze parade on Saturday.
Charlene Soppit gets a hug after singing the national anthem to start the Bayview Daze parade on Saturday.
Uncle Sam's Bucket Bridge, Jamie Berube and Bob Prince, collect donations for next year's fireworks display at Bayview.
Members of the American Legion Post 149 Ladies Auxiliary wave during the Bayview Daze parade on Saturday.
Micheal McInelly enjoys a ride through the Bayview Daze parade.
George "Hollywood" Zick joins the fun in the Bayview Daze parade.
A woman sprays water at the crowd of the Bayview Daze parade.
Barb Sleigh is outfitted for the Bayview Daze parade.
Sam Noble swings along with the Noble Tree Service entry in the Bayview Daze parade.
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. | July 4, 2023 1:00 AM
BAYVIEW — When Charlene Soppit hit the final note as she sang the national anthem at the Bayview Daze parade, the crowd on Ralph Jones Boulevard roared.
Some waved flags. Others pumped fists. Many shouted accolades.
A proud and relieved Soppit smiled.
“To be able to do this for everybody and for our nation, it’s here in my heart,” she said.
The Saturday parade to celebrate the Fourth of July was filled with red, white and blue with hats, shirts, shorts and socks festooned with images of Old Glory.
This small town on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille was all about love of country, and it showed. It seemed nearly every person, young, old or somewhere in between had the true spirit of America.
“Very patriotic,” said Bascom Palmer, wearing a blue vest, white gloves, red and white pants and matching hat.
Thousands lined Main Avenue on a sunny morning as temperatures neared 80 degrees.
The hourlong parade featured about 60 entries including dancers, a marching band, clowns on bikes, decorated rigs and adults tossing candy that was quickly claimed by boys and girls.
Kim Poage, steering an ATV pulling a float, said she was having an awesome time.
“How can you not when this is going on?” she said.
John Churchill wore shades and a cowboy hat as he waved from a rumbling ride decked out with stars, stripes, flags and a bald eagle.
He said he was proud to be part of the Bayview Daze parade
“Beautiful day, couldn’t be better,” he said.
As usual, Jamie Berube and Bob Prince formed Uncle Sam’s Bucket Brigade, collecting money for next year’s fireworks show.
“They doubled the ante on us this year. They want us to raise $40,000 instead of $20,000,” a costumed Berube said.
People responded with hugs, handshakes and cash, so prospects looked good.
“Very optimistic,” Prince said.
Berube said this year’s effort was in honor of Skip Wilcox, who passed away 10 years ago.
She said the longtime Bayview resident was a supporter of Bayview Daze, big on community service, had a distinguished military career and helped establish Bayview Park.
“His legacy lives on,” Berube said.
Kim Ward wore a cap reminiscent of the Statue of Liberty, handed down by her aunt, Kathleen Falco.
Falco said she always wore the hat at Bayview’s boat parade, standing in the bow, doing her best to hold Lady Liberty's pose.
“Looked just like it and that was the perfect hat,” Falco said, laughing.
Ward was pleased to carry on the tradition.
“Inspirational,” she said.
Marty Radenz was once again on the Bayview Daze parade, this time as a clown riding a bike. And as usual, he was all smiles, laughs and cheers.
“It’s a glorious day of the Fourth,” he said. “It’s all about America, baby."
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