Post Falls parade promises fun times
“What every small town parade used to be,” says Kerri Thoreson, director of next Saturday’s Post Falls parade. The parade starts at 11 a.m., beginning at Frederick Street and Seltice Way, traveling down Seltice to Idaho Street.
Thoreson says a favorite perk of her volunteer director job is blowing her whistle to start the parade. Two Post Falls police officers on motorcycles follow her cue to lead the pack of revelers. At least 60 entries are expected.
Stateline Speedway’s Joe Doellefeld will bring the raceway sound system and serve as announcer from a reviewing stand in the Les Schwab parking lot at 302 Seltice Way. He provides details on the entries and occupants as they pass.
The entry list so far includes fire trucks, three color guards, high school marching bands, Lions, Shriners, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, North Idaho Classics (great assortment of cars), the Military Order of the Cooties, Kootenai County Mounted Sheriff’s Posse, VFW Post 3603, Body by Scotty and their truck towing a flatbed trailer with a live band, Idaho Junior Miss Post Falls’ own Tracey Brown, riding in a brand new Corvette convertible from Knudtsen Chevrolet, D.A.R.E., Fort Sherman No. 9 Disabled American Veterans, Marine Corps League, Real Life Ministries, Northwest Cheer Academy, U.S. Coast Guard, HEVN Ministries and Fellowship, Red Hat Flappers and the Red Hot Mamas, Honker the Clown and even a fly-over by a vintage airplane.
A Post Falls parade tradition is awarding Grand Marshal rights to the valedictorian of Post Falls High School. The honor this year goes to Kristi Kuhn, riding in the Post Falls Police Department’s custom Pontiac Trans Am.
Parade participants can register until Tuesday at the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce, 510 E. Sixth. Ave., 773-5016. Coldwell Banker/Schneidmiller Realty is sponsoring the parade and pays the entry fees of all noncommercial parade participants. Award plaques will be presented to winners in various categories.
Unique in this parade is the distribution of more than 1,000 candy bags to spectators – handy items since each parade entry throws candy to the crowd as they pass.
Thoreson says the parade runs smoothly through the efforts of “a great group of volunteers and city officials.” She adds that the Post Falls parade has not been rained on for at least the past 20 years.