Coeur d’Alene honors America’s 250th Birthday with 'Liberty to Legacy'
BILL BULEY | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 month, 3 weeks AGO
Colter Ergler of Coeur d'Alene waves flags and cheers during Coeur d'Alene Fourth of July Parade on Saturday.
BILL BULEY/Press
Karrah Garcia with Tour CDA sends out bubbles as she rides in Coeur d'Alene's Fourth of July parade on Saturday.
Veteran Duane Galland looks out at the crowd during Coeur d'Alene's Fourth of July parade on Saturday.
The Daughters of American Revolution float goes through the parade on Saturday.
Gene Coryell waves to the crowd while holding his dog, Max, on Saturday.
Donna Anderson and Sharon Stone have fun during Coeur d'Alene's Fourth of July parade on Sherman Avenue.
Brannigan Scott gets a hug from a member of the Coeur d'Alene Viking football team during the Fourth of July parade on Sherman Avenue.
Hayden Bowdish with the Spokane Lilac Festival waves to the crowd.
Hailey Hoit with ICCU tosses candy to kids.
Boston Jones and Lake City High School cheerleaders entertain the crowd during the Fourth of July parade.
The North Idaho State Fair mascot high fives a boy.
Veteran Steve Goodman waves flags during Saturday's parade.
Grand marshals Steve and Judy Meyer wave to the crowd.
Shannon Coder with Toys for Tots laughs during the parade.
Brothers Liam and Declan Crismier wave during during the parae.
Bill McCutcheon rides his motorcycle in the Coeur d'Alene parade.
Veterans lead the Fourt of July parade. From left Avram Gooden, Jason Legler, David Erickson and Doug Holcomb.
Capri White joins Young Marines in carrying a giant flag through the parade.
Joanne Fulford with the North Idaho Sparklers puts on a show.
The Perfection-Nots are dressed for a parade.
Joyce Ortiz watches the parade on Sherman Avenue.
Post Falls Mayor Randy Westlund carries a flag in the fourth of July parade in Coeur d'Alene.
The Deer Park float glides through the parade. On board are, from left, Lilla Karlsson, Amber Coe and Aubrey Longly.
Members of the Filipino American Northwest Association dance in the parade.
Ford Blinn finds a good spot on the Sons of Norway float.
Suzanne Knutson pretends to row while on a parade float.
Brian Walker with North Idaho College shows his spirit during the parade.
Michael Quinn, Commandant with Pappy Boyington Det. 966, waves.
Veteran Richard Donald smiles during the 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 5, 2026 1:09 AM
As Gene Coryell stood waiting for the start of Coeur d'Alene's Fourth of July parade on Saturday, he was smiling.
"I'm feeling happy. I'm feeling American," he said.
The Arizona man, wearing a shirt and hat with stars and stripes, was joined by family as they took part in the parade on Sherman Avenue. They handed out flags and booklets on the U.S. Constitution. At one point, Coryell picked up his dog, Max, and waved with pride to the downtown crowd. His joy was easy to see.
"How much pride can you have in America today? I'm feeling proud," he said.
Tammy Wasson, with Coeur d'Alene Eagles, wore a Statue of Liberty outfit and reflective sunglasses for the parade on a warm morning.
"This is like a dream come true," she said, adding she was a fourth-generation North Idahoan, arriving in Coeur d'Alene with her family when she was a child.
"I'm so excited," she said. "This is the best place to be in America for the Fourth of July."
An estimated crowd of 25,000 people watched the city's celebration of America’s 250th birthday organized by the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber.
Its theme was "Liberty to Legacy," and it seemed almost everyone wanted to show their love of country. Adults and kids waved flags throughout the two-hour event. Most wore red, white and blue on hats, shirts, dresses, socks and shoes.
Chants of "USA, USA" filled the air. One man wore a shirt with the words, "One Nation Under God." Another shirt read, "Land of the free, home of the brave."
Patriotism was on full display.
Joyce Ortiz of Spokane held a flag and cheered as she watched the parade passing.
"I love it," she said.
Lon Hansen was part of the team that arrived with the float from Deer Park, Wash., which is always a parade highlight as they put great time and effort into it.
The float included a mini Statue of Liberty, a NASA aircraft, a likeness of the Liberty Bell and portrait of the White House.
He said many in Deer Park are involved in creating a float each year and believe it's important to be part of parades in the region.
"We need more being together," Hansen said.
Veterans led the way on foot and on wheels, applause greeting them with every step. They grinned with delight and said they were honored to be there.
One of them was Duane Galland.
He said he was drafted in 1964 when he was a young man growing up in Coeur d'Alene. He proudly served his country.
"There were a lot of guys burning their draft cards, but I didn't," he said. "I love being out here."
Veteran Steve Goodman said it was a wonderful day, but there was still work to be done.
"I love this country and want to get it back to where it should be," he said.
There were emotional moments.
Retired firefighter Brannigan Scott received hugs and thanks from a line of Coeur d'Alene High School football players, who wanted to honor veterans and first responders. His son, James, in on the team.
"I love these kids," he said. "We're here celebrating our country and we're celebrating our kids."
Visitor Sharon Harroun Peirce watched Coeur d'Alene's Fourth of July parade for the first time, and liked what she saw and heard.
"It's very small town, very patriotic." she said. "I love it."
Karrah Garcia with Tour CDA sends out bubbles as she rides in Coeur d'Alene's Fourth of July parade on Saturday.
Veteran Duane Galland looks out at the crowd during Coeur d'Alene's Fourth of July parade on Saturday.
The Daughters of American Revolution float goes through the parade on Saturday.
Gene Coryell waves to the crowd while holding his dog, Max, on Saturday.
Donna Anderson and Sharon Stone have fun during Coeur d'Alene's Fourth of July parade on Sherman Avenue.
Brannigan Scott gets a hug from a member of the Coeur d'Alene Viking football team during the Fourth of July parade on Sherman Avenue.
Hayden Bowdish with the Spokane Lilac Festival waves to the crowd.
Hailey Hoit with ICCU tosses candy to kids.
Boston Jones and Lake City High School cheerleaders entertain the crowd during the Fourth of July parade.
The North Idaho State Fair mascot high fives a boy.
Veteran Steve Goodman waves flags during Saturday's parade.
Grand marshals Steve and Judy Meyer wave to the crowd.
Shannon Coder with Toys for Tots laughs during the parade.
Brothers Liam and Declan Crismier wave during during the parae.
Bill McCutcheon rides his motorcycle in the Coeur d'Alene parade.
Veterans lead the Fourt of July parade. From left Avram Gooden, Jason Legler, David Erickson and Doug Holcomb.
Capri White joins Young Marines in carrying a giant flag through the parade.
Joanne Fulford with the North Idaho Sparklers puts on a show.
The Perfection-Nots are dressed for a parade.
Joyce Ortiz watches the parade on Sherman Avenue.
Post Falls Mayor Randy Westlund carries a flag in the fourth of July parade in Coeur d'Alene.
The Deer Park float glides through the parade. On board are, from left, Lilla Karlsson, Amber Coe and Aubrey Longly.
Members of the Filipino American Northwest Association dance in the parade.
Ford Blinn finds a good spot on the Sons of Norway float.
Suzanne Knutson pretends to row while on a parade float.
Brian Walker with North Idaho College shows his spirit during the parade.
Michael Quinn, Commandant with Pappy Boyington Det. 966, waves.
Veteran Richard Donald smiles during the parade.ARTICLES BY BILL BULEY
North Idaho State Fair begins 10-day run at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds
North Idaho State Fair begins 10-day run at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds
A Fair reminder of what matters
I feel the same way about Coeur d'Alene. Those mornings when I seem to be the only person running on Tubbs Hill, or I'm biking on the North Idaho Centennial Trail, I think to myself, "Wow. I live here. How lucky am I?"
