COEUR d'ALENE — Doug Eastwood is the grand marshal of Saturday's St. Patrick's Day Parade in downtown Coeur d'Alene.

So, what is his Irish background? His connection to Ireland? His roots to the Emerald Isle?

Eastwood smiles.

"I don't know," he said on Wednesday as he modeled the outfit he'll wear for the parade that starts at 3 p.m. at Eighth and Sherman.

But he does have a connection to the Land of Saints and Scholars: His first name.

While cousins have often asked him how he came to be called Doug, Eastwood isn't sure of that, either.

"No one is around to tell me how I got the name Doug," he said. "Doug is an Irish name. It has roots in Ireland. It means dark water."

So, as someone who loves a good laugh, Eastwood has this response when someone asks his name:

"My name is Mud."

What is crystal clear, though, is that when Ilene Moss of All Things Irish asked him to be grand marshal, he was delighted.

"What an incredible honor," he said.

He had one stipulation: "I want it to be right from head to toe."

Done.

After modeling the tartan kilt, Prince Charlie jacket and vest, flat cap, sporran, green tie, hose with flashes and kilt pin, he was satisfied and looking forward to being in the spotlight of one of the most celebrated holidays of the year.

"I was nervous at first. Now I'm excited and ready to have some fun," he said.

The event is being put on by the Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association in partnership with Idaho Central Credit Union.

It traditionally attracts leprechauns, Guinness beer can costumes, Irish wolf hounds, marching bands and plenty of green.

The theme is “Shamrocks & Shenanigans."

Karlynn King of All Things Irish will be the Irish Colleen, while Kerri Thoreson of Post Falls will be the Irish Woman of the Year.

A few hundred people, many wearing green coats, shirts and hats, come out to cheer for about 30 parade entries.

Eastwood will be among them, right after the Honor Guard leading the way.

The Post Falls resident retired after serving 35 years as Coeur d'Alene's parks director, but he remains busy.

He is on the board of the North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation, just finished a six-year term on the state's parks board, wrote the book, “The North Idaho Centennial Trail: The Trail That Almost Wasn’t,” and is a top bowler, with eight 300 games to his credit.

"I'm just involved with things I have a passion for," Eastwood said.

While Eastwood hasn't been to Ireland, he would like to visit. Hence, he bought a ticket for a trip to Ireland that will be a prize at Coeur d'Irish on Friday at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

"I'd love to go," he said.

Until then, being grand marshal of the St. Patrick's Day Parade is a nice consolation prize.

Even the weather forecast seems to be lucky, with highs in the 50s and sunshine.

Eastwood wants to see you there.

"C'mon out, celebrate St Patrick's Day with us and let's kick off the spring and into the summer," he said.

And remember, his name is Mud.