Small Town, USA

Although it's been a few years since Coeur d'Alene could be considered a small town, on the 4th of July the heart of the city becomes Small Town, USA. As thousands of locals and tourists settle into their lawn chairs along the curb on Sherman Avenue, four or five or six deep from 15th Street to the lake at 1st Street, a cast of hundreds readies for the annual Independence Day Parade. It's a tradition that's spanned at least the lifetime of centenarian grand marshal Ace Walden. His first time in the parade was as a 13-year-old Boy Scout back in the early 1920s. Today at 100 years young his delight as he rides at the front of the parade, waving to well-wishers from the back of a convertible, is evident. It's not hard to see his reflection in the faces of today's Scouts, flag-waving boys on a flatbed truck.
Tonight a spectacular display of fireworks will explode over Lake Coeur d'Alene. It's a good day to live in beautiful North Idaho and a good day to be an American ... of any age.