'God, family and country'
BILL BULEY | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 9 months AGO
Esther Van White, left, and Juliet Claridge wave to the crowd as they walk in the Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber's Fourth of July parade with others on Tuesday.
BILL BULEY/Press
Veterans Bob Banta, left, and Charles Riffel look on during the Fourth of July parade in Coeur d'Alene on Tuesday.
A patriotic Keegan Rosenberg watches the Fourth of July parade in Coeur d'Alene on Wednesday.
Denny Burt with the Perfection Nots leads a row of musicians in the Fourth of July parade Tuesday.
Marlo Faulkner, grand marshal of the Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber's Fourth of July parade, waves to the crowd on Tuesday.
Kyle Honaker holds a sign with Idaho Central Credit Union during the Fourth of July parade on Tuesday.
Lake City High School cheerleaders march in the Fourth of July parade on Tuesday in Coeur d'Alene.
Megan Wallace smiles during the Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber's Fourth of July parade on Tuesday.
The Deer Park float was a big hit in the CDA Fourth Parade on Tuesday
Barbie float members enjoy the Fourth of July parade in Coeur d'Alene on Tuesday.
Riley Crebs rides with the Cherry Hill BMX bike group in the Fourth of July parade on Tuesday in Coeur d'Alene.
Marilyn Fisher has a good time in the Fourth of July parade on Tuesday in Coeur d'Alene.
The Inland Northwest Pickleball Club entry was a hit in the Fourth of July parade on Tuesday in Coeur d'Alene.
Trena Burt with the Perfection Nots smiles during the parade on Tuesday.
Civil Air Patrol members carry a giant flag in the Fourth of July parade on Tuesday in Coeur d'Alene.
Presley Parisot and Huckleberry ride on the Companions Animal Center entry in Coeur d'Alene's Fourth of July parade on Tuesday.
Rita Case waves as she rides in the Fourth of July parade on Tuesday in Coeur d'Alene.
Scott Freier with the Tour CDA entry showers children with bubbles in Tuesday's Fourth of July parade on Tuesday in Coeur d'Alene.
A group marches for faith, family and freedom in the Fourth of July parade in Coeur d'Alene.
Members with American Heritage Girls march in the Fourth of July parade on Sherman Avenue.
Coeur d'Alene High School cheerleaders march in the Fourth of July parade in Coeur d'Alene.
Lindsay Patterson, chamber Volunteer of the Year, is joined by Peter Howard and baby Walker Howard in the Fourth of July parade on Tuesday in CDA.
The Perfection Nots perform in the Fourth of July parade on Tuesday.
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 5, 2023 1:09 AM
COEUR d’ALENE — Aaron and Charmaine Rosenberger attended their first Fourth of July parade in Coeur d'Alene on Tuesday.
They loved it.
"Such a beautiful place," Aaron Rosenberger said as he and his wife watched entries roll past on Sherman Avenue. "Just aligns with family values."
Their family, including sons Keegan and Kamran, recently moved here and it's been everything they hoped.
"Aligns with why America is so great,” Charmaine said. "Small-town USA. You can’t beat that small-town feel here."
Thousands of kids and adults lined Sherman Avenue on a sunny morning for the "Vintage America: The Magic of Our Youth” parade, organized by the Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber and presented by Idaho Central Credit Union.
It featured about 80 entries, highlighted by the Perfection-Nots marching band, the Inland Northwest Pickleball Club playing throughout the mile-long route, a decorated float from Deer Park, politicians and many veterans.
"God bless America," said veteran Charles Riffel as he rode in a convertible with fellow vets Bob Banta and Mark Taylor.
"Thank you," shouted a spectator as people stood for the flag passing by.
Red, white and blue seemed to be everywhere and love of country was on display in the form of stars and stripes on hats, shirts and shorts.
Some proclaimed their faith in God.
Kimberly Lies held a sign that read "God, Family and Country" as she marched along.
"Tradition is important to us, keeping families together and just loving everybody and keeping our country together," she said.
Robbie Walden carried a 55-pound cross and urged people to "stand up for the king."
"Ain’t no politician going to save us," he shouted as many did rise and applauded. "This is how we take our country back, right here, Jesus Christ and prayer."
Many motorized vehicles were part of the parade, which lasted nearly two hours.
Rita Case drove a gleaming 1934 Roadster with a 357 Chevrolet engine in the parade. She smiled and waved throughout.
"I love it. What a beautiful day," she said. "Look at the crowd. Thousands here celebrating."
Trena Burt held a banner for the Perfection-Nots, the marching band whose music and antics drew perhaps the loudest cheers and laughter.
"This is the best ever," she said.
Megan Wallace was beaming a smile, suited out with a vest of stars and stripes, a red-and-blue hat and a matching necklace as she walked with the Union Gospel Mission entry.
She said the community supports UGM, so she wanted to return the favor.
"This is a grateful way to give back to them who have given me so much," she said.
Wallace asked how she was feeling on the Fourth of July, and offered one word.
"Free."
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