country, loop-focused trail.” Elk Trail is a popular, mature trail, according to Maupin, but features enough turns and change in elevation to keep both hardcore mountain bikers and novices interested. While a pro might traverse the seven-mile stretch in 45 minutes, families tend to take their time.
3
“I’ve seen mom and dad come up with [kids] as young as 4 or 5 years old, and
spend three hours coming down that trail,” he said. “The kids were giggling and happy when they got to the bottom.” Brundage also offers cross-country and downhill bike rentals for men, women and children. Giant Glory, Reign and Kona bikes are offered in the Brundage fleet, available individually as a package for prices ranging from $35-$99. Lift tickets are available based on frequency, with a summer-long lift pass available for $99.
Pat Benatar—still hittin’ us with her best shot.
Ready to Rock
McCall Music Festival fills busy holiday weekend Deanna Darr Fourth of July weekend in McCall is one of the area’s busiest times, with Treasure Valley residents escaping the heat at home by heading to the forested shores of Payette Lake. The town always throws out the welcome mat with a day of events and fireworks (see Page 4), but this year, Boise-based CT Touring is adding a two-day music festival to the mix. “Most people leave the Treasure Valley and head to McCall or Sun Valley, so we thought we’d head to where the people are,” said Kristine Simoni, marketing and entertainment director for CT Touring. What’s being billed as the McCall Music Festival will kick off on Friday, July 5, at the Manchester Ice and Events Centre (200 E. Lake St., McCall), where Big Head Todd and the Monsters headline the show, which also features Idaho faves country rockers Reckless Kelly and McCall-based Jeff Crosby and the Refugees. The tunes will veer more toward rock on Saturday, July 6, when ’80s legend Pat Benatar takes the stage with Neil Giraldo. Celtic-tinged rockers (and regular Boise visitors) Young Dubliners will open the show, along with So Cal-based Stone Stanley. “They’re different styles of music, so each night can appeal to two different types of
6 | 2013 mccall GUIDE | boiseweekly
music lovers,” Simoni said. While the company has staged shows at Brundage Mountain Resort in the past, this is the first time it has worked in the ice rink. It also means the company will be bringing a full stage, lighting and sound system from Boise for the event. Because of the layout, there will be about 2,000 seats available for each show. Advanced two-day passes went on sale in April, but Simoni said individual day tickets are now available and any remaining seats will be sold at the door. Two-day passes cost $79 or $119 for the VIP section, where concertgoers will have access to a bleacher-style seating area and a private bar. Individual day tickets cost $39.50 or $59.50 for VIP. If large indoor concerts aren’t your thing, there’s still a way to get in on the music in a more intimate setting. McCall Brewing Company is hosting a pair of “official” afterparties following each concert. On Friday, Stone Stanley will perform at the brewpub following the Big Head Todd set, and on Saturday, Young Dubliners will move straight from the main stage to the brewery. Tickets for the ice arena shows are available at ticketfly.com.
www. b o i s e we e kly. c o m