'I wish I were Irish'
BILL BULEY | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 1 month AGO
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 19, 2023 1:09 AM
COEUR d'ALENE — Kathleen Sullivan has lived in the Coeur d'Alene area 16 years and not once came out for the St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Until Saturday.
She's glad she did.
"I love it," Sullivan said.
She was joined by Orla, her Shih Tzu/Toy Poodle mix that sat in a stroller with a banner that read, "Bark If You're Irish."
Sullivan, who has Irish roots, said Orla means "golden princess" in Irish.
When asked why she decided to join the fun this year, Sullivan said, "I have Orla."
Thousands of kids and adults, many decked out in green shirts, hats, pants, glasses and socks, came out for the 18th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on a specular sunny day with temperatures in the mid-50s.
Put on by the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association in partnership with Idaho Central Credit Union, the parade's theme was “Shamrocks & Shenanigans."
There were plenty of both.
Leprechauns, a Guinness beer can, an Irish Wolfhound wearing a green tie, dancers and decorated Jeeps filed down Sherman Avenue in front of what may have been the largest crowd ever for the parade.
One shirt read, "I wish I were Irish," and hundreds agreed. Spirits were high and smiles were many.
Erich Hoffeld wore a kilt as he carried a sign that said, "Kiss Me I'm Irish."
"I'm feelin' great," he said.
As was Grand Marshal Doug Eastwood.
"It's sure a lot of fun," he said. "I would like to go eight more blocks."
Chylor Lance was joined by son Knight, driving a child-sized four-wheeler, as they both wore oversized green glasses and led the way for North Idaho Jeeps.
"I'm loving it," said Chylor, in an Ireland jersey. "It's one of my favorite days."
Knight got the crowd into it with some nifty driving in tight circles and a wave of the hand.
"He's been wanting to do this for a long time," his mom said.
A woman named Elaine wore a button that said, "I'm proud of my Irish roots."
She said she's been to Ireland several times and has found the people to be very friendly.
"And it's a beautiful country," she said.
MORE FRONT-PAGE-SLIDER STORIES
ARTICLES BY BILL BULEY

Post Falls woman files tort claim with Kootenai County clerk over town hall removal
Seeking damages of at least $5 million
Teresa Borrenpohl, the Idaho woman dragged out of a town hall meeting in February, filed a notice of tort claim today with the Kootenai County Clerk asserting county officials and those who acted with them violated her constitutional rights at a February meeting, according to a press release.

Celebrating yesterday and today
Hundreds attend grand opening of Museum of North Idaho
About 200 people attended the three-day celebration that started Thursday, continued Friday with a ribbon-cutting, tours and talks, and wraps up today with activities for kids and an Easter Egg hunt at 1 pm. The grand opening marked by music was the culmination of a long journey and raising more than $3 million to move and renovate the historic J.C. White House

Fight to the finish at the Milwaukee Marathon
Milwaukee is a beautiful city that sits on the shores of Lake Michigan and is home to the Brewers and the Bucks. People are committed to the Green Packers and come football season, many make the 120-mile drive to Lambeau Field. With tree-lined streets, older homes, plenty of taverns and the Milwaukee River running through it, in my opinion it resembled a big version of Coeur d’Alene. It’s a place where summers are celebrated, even coveted, and winters are proudly accepted and worn like a badge of honor.