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Tuesday, Aug. 14-Saturday, Aug. 18 Canyon County Fairgrounds, Caldwell caldwellnightrodeo.com What started as a small-town rodeo in 1935 celebrating the start of a major irrigation project has grown into one of the top rodeos in the country, drawing more than 40,000 spectators during the five nights of rodeo action. While there’s still plenty of bronc busting, bull riding and steer roping, there’s also bigname musical entertainment and plenty of activities to keep audiences both busy and amused.
Friday, Aug. 17-Sunday, Aug. 26 Expo Idaho, Garden City idahofair.com The foundations of the Western Idaho Fair were laid in 1897, when the then-Intermountain Fair helped the scattered population of the region connect. Since then the fair has grown and evolved, but it remains one of the highlights of the year for the Treasure Valley. From livestock shows and 4-H demonstrations to amusement rides to midway games to enough food to make you slightly queasy, the fair is a huge draw for children and adults. Nightly concerts and events keep the schedule varied, but there’s always time to grab an ice cream potato.
Friday, Sept. 7-Sunday, Sept. 9 Julia Davis Park, Boise boiseartmuseum.org While it might be a traffic headache for those who live and work downtown, there’s no denying the draw of the annual Art in the Park fundraiser for Boise Art Museum. For three days each fall, thousands flock to the park to check out more than 200 artists and crafters from across the country, looking for the next treasure they never knew they couldn’t live without. As with all the best festivals, Art in the Park is almost as much about catching up with friends and neighbors as it is looking for art. Luckily, you can do both at once while raising money for the museum.
Friday, Sept. 14-Sunday, Sept. 16 Camel’s Back Park, Boise northendboise.org Boise’s North End brings out the big guns to continue this long-standing tradition with three days of music, dance, assorted performances, food and crafts held in one of Boise’s oldest neighborhoods. The schedule is as diverse as the crowd and event organizers like to call it a celebration of culture. Whatever you call it, there’s always plenty of eating, drinking and general merrymaking.
CAlendAr: What, Where, When
eAgle fun dAys
meridiAn dAiry dAys
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June/July 2013 Eagle eaglechamber.com The wholesome family festival gets a twist in Eagle, where the parade includes getting soaked by a fire hose. There are plenty of family oriented, if slightly off kilter events during the festival, but there’s also some bonus action for those who like a good rodeo. The annual Eagle Rodeo will be held in conjunction with Eagle Fun Days. Of course, being the type of town Eagle is, you can always go to the rodeo at night and compete in the golf tournament the next day.
Tuesday, June 19-Saturday, June 22, 2013 Meridian dairydays.org Dairies once ruled Meridian, and while most of them are no more, the town still celebrates its heritage with the annual Dairy Days. Marking its 83rd year, Dairy Days still includes cattle and dairy goat shows, but the biggest draws are the Friday night parade through town and the carnival held in Storey Park. There are fun runs, pancake feeds and even a concert, but the dairy theme runs throughout. There’s even a Dairy Princess—seriously.
Wednesday, June 12-Saturday, June 15, 2013 Emmett City Park emmettidaho.com Agriculture has always been big in Idaho and the folks over in Emmett honor the area’s heritage each June with the Cherry Festival. And while, yes, there are plenty of cherries (depending on when the crops come in), there are more reasons than a tasty seasonal treat to make the trek. The festival is a true small-town celebration, where families and kids are the focus and there are plenty of free activities for all ages. Seriously, how can you turn up your nose at a good old-fashioned watermeloneating contest?
Thursday, July 4, 2013 Ann Morrison Park, Boise The skies above the Treasure Valley will undoubtedly light up in a mass of colorful explosions on the Fourth of July, but there’s no bigger celebration than the one held at Ann Morrison Park in downtown. People arrive early to stake out their spots in the park to witness a massive community fireworks display set to music. If you’re looking for other fireworks options, try catching the game at Hawks Memorial Stadium and staying for the fireworks, or take in the display from the Meridian Speedway.
22 | AnnuAl MAnuAl 2012-2013 | boiseweekly
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