Heartwarming stories, priceless floats abound at Rathdrum parade
RAY ERKU | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 days, 6 hours AGO
A wagon operated by the North Idaho Saddle Mule Club.
RAY ERKU/PRESS
Lucas Karl, left, with the eye black, proudly displays his school spirit with his teammate Wyatt Orona during Saturday's parade in Rathdrum.
Girl scout Seyla Eaton shows her Idaho spirit during the Rathdrum parade on Saturday.
Stahley Overmeyer, 10, trick rides her mule, Slick, at the Rathdrum parade on Saturday.
Kids rejoice in a shower of fire truck water at the Rathdrum Days parade.
Rathdrum Police officer James Boni hangs on the back of a vintage Hauser Lake Fire District fire truck, built in 1953.
Members of the Albeni Falls Pipes and Drums of North Idaho club play bagpipes in Rathdrum on Saturday.
A replica antique hearse showcased at the Rathdrum parade on Saturday.
Miss Northern Idaho’s Teen, Post Falls resident Pyper White, sits in the moon roof of a Jeep and waves to the crowd in Rathdrum on Saturday.
Pete Williams, of Rathdrum, drives his motorcycle in Saturday's parade.
Masher the Potato gives a kid a high-five during the Rathdrum parade Saturday.
Members of Lakeland Junior Cheer pump the crowd up at the Rathdrum parade on Saturday.
Carter Casidy of the Idaho Central Credit Union drives a 1970 Ford G100l delivery truck with a souped-up Corvette engine at the Rathdrum parade on Saturday.
Rathdrum Days parade marshal Eric Singer on Saturday.
Hundreds of people lined both sides of Main Street to observe Rathdrum’s Saturday parade, themed “All American Summer.” Parade floats cruised down Main Street. American flags fluttered.
Jacinta Raymond looked on with a wide smile. It was only April when her son’s dirtbike was stolen from their Post Falls residence.
Now, young Zealand has a new one. With the help of Northwest Guardian Riders, a Rathdrum-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting veterans and the local community, enough money was raised to purchase Zealand a 2013 KTM.
“It was really awesome to see the community come together and show up for him,” Jacinta said of her son getting a new dirtbike.
The stolen one, a red 2023 CRF50F, originally belonged to Zealand’s late father, Trevor Nerdrum.
“That was super cool because the bike is a connection to his dad, who passed away in 2023,” Jacinta said. “And so that's something he can bond with him over.”
When asked if he was happy to have received a new dirt bike, a smiling Zealand gave a thumbs-up.
“That’s what we do in the community,” Guardian Riders member Steve Cardoza said amid parade-goers. “That’s how we roll in Idaho.”
Veterans on motorcycles roared down the road. Cowgirls, both regular locals and members of the North Idaho Saddle Mule Club, mounted nags and mules with names like “Sheriff” and “Slick.” Kiddos from the Lakeland “Mini Hawk” cheer program showed their school pride in tandem.
Miss Northern Idaho’s Teen, Post Falls resident Pyper White, sat in the moon roof of a Jeep and waved to the crowd.
“It’s a beautiful day out, and it’s a privilege to be here,” she said.
Recent wildfire smoke from northern Idaho that blanketed the region dissipated Saturday morning, giving way to a bluebird day and 88-degree heat. Local firefighters kept gleeful kids cool by using their fire truck to spray them with water in the street. Meanwhile, Rathdrum Police officer James Boni rode in the back of a 1953 American Lafrance Foamite fire truck owned by the Hauser Lake Fire District.
“Cops are allowed to have dreams too, right?” Boni joked.
Included among the 42 parade participants were a souped-up delivery truck and an antique, horse-drawn hearse. Carter Casidy of the Idaho Central Credit Union drove a 1970 Ford G100, a vehicle often used to deliver mail back in the day, retrofitted with a 6-liter V8 Corvette LS2 engine. The 400-horsepower motor can do 0-60 mph in less than five seconds.
Casidy said placing the Corvette engine in the old delivery truck was his marketing director’s idea.
“It’s fun,” he said as he revved the engine.
Lance Cox, owner of Post Falls’ Bell Tower Funeral Home and Crematory, showcased the antique replica of his motorless hearse, circa 19th century.
“It’s a little different than a celebratory fashion,” he said of the hearse. “But it matches the old style of Rathdrum.”
Lakeland High School varsity football outside linebacker Will Kral, an incoming junior who walked in the parade with his fellow players while donning his jersey, explained why he’s excited for the upcoming season.
“Just playing with my teammates,” he said, “and the excitement of Friday night.”
According to the Rathdrum Area Chamber of Commerce, at least 5,000 people typically gather over the weekend at Rathdrum Days, with up to 750 parade visitors alone.
Lucas Karl, left, with the eye black, proudly displays his school spirit with his teammate Wyatt Orona during Saturday's parade in Rathdrum.
Girl Scout Seyla Eaton shows her Idaho spirit during the Rathdrum parade on Saturday.
Stahley Overmeyer, 10, trick rides her mule, Slick, at the Rathdrum parade on Saturday.
Kids rejoice in a shower of fire truck water at the Rathdrum Days parade.
Rathdrum Police officer James Boni hangs on the back of a vintage Hauser Lake Fire District fire truck, built in 1953.
Members of the Albeni Falls Pipes and Drums of North Idaho club play bagpipes in Rathdrum on Saturday.
A replica antique hearse was showcased at the Rathdrum parade on Saturday.
Miss Northern Idaho’s Teen, Post Falls resident Pyper White, sits in the moon roof of a Jeep and waves to the crowd in Rathdrum on Saturday.
Pete Williams, of Rathdrum, drives his motorcycle in Saturday's parade.
Masher the Potato gives a kid a high-five during the Rathdrum parade Saturday.
Members of Lakeland Junior Cheer pump the crowd up at the Rathdrum parade on Saturday.
Carter Casidy of the Idaho Central Credit Union drives a 1970 Ford G100l delivery truck with a souped-up Corvette engine at the Rathdrum parade on Saturday.
Rathdrum Days parade marshal Eric Singer on Saturday.ARTICLES BY RAY ERKU
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Heartwarming stories, priceless floats abound at Rathdrum parade
Hundreds of people lined both sides of Main Street to observe Rathdrum’s Saturday parade, themed “All American Summer.” Parade floats cruised down Main Street. American flags fluttered. Jacinta Raymond looked on with a wide smile.