EVENT GUIDE: Summer fun in the Treasure Valley and beyond

Western Idaho Fair

• Friday, Aug. 16 - Sunday, Aug. 25
• Western Idaho Fairgrounds, Garden City
• Website
• Carnival, concerts, stage acts, dance competition, 4H and FFA exhibits and livestock sales, and more.
• Concert acts include: 3 Doors Down (Aug. 20), Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (Aug. 21), Dustin Lynch (Aug. 22), REO Speedwagon (Aug. 23)

Albertsons Boise Open

• Thursday, Aug. 22 - Sunday, Sept. Aug. 25
• Hillcrest Country Club, 4610 W. Hillcrest Dr.
• Website
• Admission: Individual daily grounds ticket: $15; Individual weekly grounds ticket: $25 in advance, $35 at gate; More ticketing options, including group tickets, on website.
• 75 PGA Tour players and 75 Web.com Tour players will compete for 25 PGA Tour cards and $1 million in prize money. All proceeds go to charities through the TICKETS Fore CHARITY program. 

Pooch Party Stroll & Splash

• Saturday, Aug. 24, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Lakeview Park, Nampa
• Website
• Admission: $25 first dog, $10 for each additional dog
• The 12th annual Pooch Party at Lakeview Park is Nampa's largest dog festival; Participate in a one mile walk around the park. After the walk, Lakeview Water Park will open and the dogs will have the opportunity to splash around in the swimming pool. Enjoy contests, raffles, a canine cake walk and pet friendly vendor booths.
• All proceeds go toward the continued development of Nampa’s Amity Dog Park as well as start to fund a second dog park in Nampa. 

Warbird Roundup

• Saturday, Aug. 24 and Sunday, Aug. 25, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Warhawk Air Museum, 201 Municipal Drive, Nampa
• Website
• The Warbird Roundup - a popular annual gathering of famous WWII airplanes - returns to the Warhawk Air Museum for its 17th year. This year, the Museum is honoring the 75th anniversary of D-Day.

Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic

• Wednesday, Aug. 28 - Sunday, Sept. 1
• Ann Morrison Park, Boise
• Website
• The always-popular Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic returns to Ann Morrison Park, bringing the high-flying spectacle to the City of Trees for its 29th year. For five days, dozens of balloon pilots and crews will take to the skies over Boise. One annual highlight of the event is the Night Night Glow Spectacular which illuminates the park beginning at dusk on Friday, Aug. 30. 

Twin Falls County Fair

• Wednesday, Aug. 28 - Monday, Sept. 2
• Twin Falls County Fairgrounds,  215 Fair Avenue, Filer
• Website
• Carnival, concert (Chris Janson on Sept. 1), stage acts, Ponies, Pistols & Pistons show, Magic Valley Stampede Rodeo, Chicks and Chaps Ladies event, exhibits, and more.

208 Comedy Fest

• Thursday, Sept. 5 - Sunday, Sept. 8
• Various venues in Boise: Egyptian Theatre, Even Stevens, Knitting Factory, Liquid, The Olympic
• Website
• The 208 Comedy Fest is a three-day, multi-venue comedy festival, featuring dozens of comics. Headliners include Maria Bamford, more to be announced.

Sip 2 Give

• Friday, Sept. 6, Noon - 7:30 p.m.
• Telaya Wine Co., 240 E. 32nd Street, Garden City
• Website
• Telaya will donate 10 percent of proceeds to Giraffe Laugh Early Learning Center

Art in the Park

• Friday, Sept. 6 - Sunday, Sept. 8
• Julia Davis Park, Boise
• Website
• One of the most popular summer events in Boise, this open-air festival provides visitors of all ages and interests with the opportunity to meet more than 200 artists and purchase their works. During the three-day event, Boise Art Museum presents a variety of contemporary arts and crafts along with an array of live entertainment, park performances, wonderful food and hands-on activities for children.

Campfire Theatre Festival

• Friday, Sept. 6 - Sunday, Sept. 8
• Boise Contemporary Theater, 854 Fulton Street
• Website
• Admission: $10 single tickets; $55 festival pass
• Campfire Theatre Festival is a three day festival "created by theatre makers, for theatre makers." The event features staged readings, a developmental play reading, workshops, guest performances, and after-parties.

Bands, Brews and BBQ Festival

• Saturday, Sept. 14, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Boise Spectrum, 7709 W. Overland Rd.
• Website
• The Bands, Brews & BBQ Festival features beer tasting from local breweries, a barbeque competition, and a lineup of local rock and blues bands. Local food, drink and merchandise vendors on site.

Boise State Football home opener

• Friday, Sept. 6, Kickoff 7 p.m.
• Albertsons Stadium, Boise
• Website
• The Broncos will face off against Marshall on the Blue for the first home game of 2019. Single game and season tickets available.

Nampa's Taste of Idaho

• Tuesday, Sept. 10, 5 - 8 p.m.
• Lakeview Park, Nampa
• Website
• Admission: $40
• Enjoy live music and amazing Idaho food prepared by local chefs. The menu will be accompanied by local wines and beers. 

Hyde Park Street Fair

• Friday, Sept. 13 - Sunday Sept. 15
• Camel's Back Park, 13th and Heron streets, Boise
• Website
• Bid farewell to summer with this fun annual fundraising fair in Boise's historic North End. Vendors, activities for kids, live music, exotic foods, cold beer, and a wine garden; All proceeds go toward grants and programs in the North End community.

Zoobilee

• Friday, Sept. 13, 5:30 p.m.
• Zoo Boise, 355 Julia Davis Dr.
• Website
• Admission: $125; Table reservations available on website
• Zoo Boise's premier event, Zoobilee treats guests to an unforgettable evening that includes food, drink, live music, live and silent auctions, and special zoo experiences. 21 and up only.

Scentsy Rock-A-Thon

• Friday, Sept. 13, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
• Scentsy Commons, 2901 E. Pine Avenue, Meridian
• Website
• Funds raised will go to the Ronald McDonald House
• Scentsy's 12-hour, community-wide rock-a-thon will feature 70 rocking chairs lined up on the company's property along Eagle Road. Scentsy will donate $250 per chair, per hour, to the Ronald McDonald House, as long at the chairs are in motion. If all chair keep rocking for all 12 hours, the company will donate $210,000. Participants are encouraged to wear red. Food trucks will be available on site. The celebration will end with a fireworks show at 9 p.m.

Southwest Idaho All British Field Meet Car Show

• Saturday, Sept. 14 (McCall) and Sunday, Sept. 15 (Meridian)
• Depot Park, McCall (Saturday); The Village at Meridian (Sunday)
• Website
• This car show highlights all things British when it comes to motorized vehicles - from classic cars and motorcycles from the 50’s and 60’s to a new models. If you have a British car or motorcycle, you're invited to take part in the show.

Indian Creek Festival

• Thursday, Sept. 19 - Saturday, Sept. 21
• Indian Creek Plaza, Caldwell
• Website

• This year’s festival features a car show, cardboard kayak races, chalk art contest, dog parade, a fireman's breakfast, and a square dance on Saturday night.

Star Chamber Chili Cook-Off

• Saturday, Sept. 21, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• 1500 N. Star Road, Star
• Website
• Admission: $5 adults, $3 children 10 and under
• This annual chili cook-off includes a pie-eating contest, live music, cornhole tournament, beer garden, and of course, lots of chili. Deadline to enter the competition is Sept. 9.

Eagle Food and Wine Festival

• Saturday, Sept. 21, 6 - 9 p.m.
• BanBury Golf Course, 2626 N. Marypost Place, Eagle
• Website
• Admission: $45
• The 13th Annual Eagle Food and Wine Festival partners select Idaho wineries with premier local chefs to create the perfect tasting pair. Proceeds from this year's event will benefit the Idaho2Fly program and the Eagle Community Foodbank. 21 and up only.

Oktoberfest Nampa

• Friday, Sept. 27, 6 - 10 p.m.
• Nampa Civic Center, 311 3rd Street South, Nampa
• Website
• Admission: Tickets can be purchased online for $7 until Sept. 27, then tickets will be sold at the door for $9.
• Oktoberfest has been bringing the community together to celebrate German tradition at the Nampa Civic Center for 12 years. Features authentic live German music provided by the Boise Valley Edelweiss Band. German beer will be on tap and you can get your fill of Bavarian foods. Play Oktoberfest games like the Brat Shot, Mug Holding Contest, Beer Stein Race and more. Come in your best Lederhosen, Dirndl or other traditional German attire and bring your best bier stein to enter contests, and let the crowd vote on their favorites.

Alive After Five (Boise)

• Grove Plaza, Downtown Boise
• 5 - 8 p.m. Wednesdays, June 5 - Aug. 28
• Website
• Downtown Boise's long-running concert series, Alive After Five, returns to the Grove Plaza for its 33rd year. The weekly event is free to attend. Check website above for weekly schedule and headlining acts.

Idaho Botanical Garden

• Located in Boise’s Old Penitentiary Historic District, the Idaho Botanical Garden is a feast for the senses, no matter the season.
• Website

IBG Great Garden Escape Concert Series (Boise)

• A recurring summer event at the Idaho Botanical Garden, the Great Garden Escape features a great lineup of bands.
• Thursday evenings, June 6 to September 5
• Website

Outlaw Field Summer Concert Series (Boise)

• Another popular outdoor concert series at the Idaho Botanical Garden, Outlaw Field has a long list of popular musical artists set to perform this summer. The lineup includes Indigo Girls, Rebelution, Clint Black, Slightly Stoopid, Nathanial Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Lord Huron & Shakey Graves, The Piano Guys, Josh Groban, Foreigner, and Dropkick Murphys.
• Website

Rock the Village Concert Series (Meridian)

• The Village at Meridian
• Fridays, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m., June 7 - July 19
• Website
• Set in the open public area at the Village at Meridian, the Rock the Village Concert Series has become a popular summer event. It features a great mix of music from local and regional artists.

Indian Creek Summer Concert Series (Caldwell)

• Indian Creek Plaza, downtown Caldwell
• Tuesdays, 6 - 9 p.m., through Aug. 27
• Website
• Free admission
• Indian Creek Plaza in downtown Caldwell will once again play host to a summer concert series, taking place each Tuesday night through the end of August. Check website above for weekly schedule and headlining acts.

Sunset Concert Series (Tamarack)

• Tamarack Resort
• Saturday evenings, June 29 - Aug. 24
• Website
• Spend your Saturday evenings this summer enjoying live music and great company at the Sunset Concert Series, presented by the Tamarack Municipal Association.

Ste. Chapelle Concerts in the Park (Caldwell)

• Ste. Chapelle Winery, 19348 Lowell Road, Caldwell
• Sundays, 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., June 16 - Sept. 15
• Website
• Ste. Chapelle winery's long-running summer concert series is celebrating 36 years. In addition to great live music, Concerts in the Park also features tasty food, local vendors and, of course, plenty of wine.

Live After Five in the Garden (Ontario)

• Four Rivers Cultural Center, 676 SW 5th Avenue, Ontario
• Wednesdays, June 12 - Aug. 21
• Website
• Live After Five is an outdoor concert series held at the Four Rivers Cultural Center’s Hikaru Mizu Japanese Garden. Admission is free and food and drinks are available for purchase from local restaurants.

Concerts on Broadway (Meridian)

• Sept. 7, Sept. 21, and Oct. 5
• Meridian City Hall plaza, 33 E. Broadway Avenue
• Website

• Hosted by the Meridian Arts Commission, this free outdoor concert series will take place on four Saturdays this summer at the plaza of Meridian City Hall. Opening bands start at 2:30 p.m. 

Thursday Thunder (Boise)

• Every Thursday, June 20 - Aug. 29, 6 p.m.
• Boise Spectrum, 7609 West Overland Road, Boise
• Website
• Live music and entertainment, raffles, food and drink, and more. No charge for admission.

Idaho Shakespeare Festival

• May 24 - Sept. 29
• 5657 East Warm Springs Avenue, Boise
• Website
• A mainstay of summer entertainment in Boise, the Idaho Shakespeare Festival is celebrating its 43rd season in 2019. This year's slate of plays and musicals includes "The Taming of the Shrew," "Witness for the Prosecution," "The Music Man," "Julius Caesar," and "Million Dollar Quartet."

Starlight Mountain Theatre

• May 26 - Sept. 1
• Garden Valley, Idaho
• Website
• Located on the banks of the Middle Fork of the Payette River in the mountains of Boise County, Starlight Mountain Theatre creates a unique ambiance and experience that is well-worth the one-hour drive from Boise. This year, SMT presents: Oklahoma!, Mama Mia, Newsies, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Over the River and Through the Woods.

• Opens July 2
• Website

For those new to the Boise area, you may not realize just how big of a deal this is. Floating the Boise River is one of the most popular summer past times in the City of Trees. The floatable stretch of river runs between Barber Park - where floaters put in - and Ann Morrison Park. Plan on about three hours from start to finish. If you have your own tube or raft, it doesn't cost a cent to enjoy the river. If you don't have your own gear, you can rent it at Barber Park. Equipment rentals open at 12 p.m. and the first shuttle departs Ann Morrison Park at 1 p.m. Children under 14 are required to wear a flotation device (life jacket), and alcohol and glass containers are prohibited.

June is Wine Month in Idaho, and there are a lot of events happening at the dozens of wineries in Idaho's burgeoning wine country. And while June is a great time to visit a local winery, there are tours and events happening all summer long. Here are just a few suggestions. For a full calendar of events and other ideas for wine country excursions, click here.

• Idaho Wine Tours: Leave the driving to someone else and get on a 10-person bus tour to some of Southwest Idaho's best vineyards and wineries. Tickets cost $70 per person.
• Sunny Slope Wine Trail: Featuring more than a dozen vineyards and orchards from Parma to Caldwell to Kuna, the Sunny Slope Wine Trail makes it easy to plan your visit to local wineries and cideries.
• Looking to visit a specific winery/vineyard? Visit Idaho has a great website that will help you plan tour own wine country tour.

Wine isn't the only form of alcohol that is experiencing a sizable boom in the Gem State. Idaho's craft beer scene has exploded in recent years, and is now ranked tenth in the nation for breweries per capita, according to Idaho Brewers United, a nonprofit dedicated to the craft beer industry in the state. Visit Idaho has compiled a searchable list of breweries for you to choose from!

Ski resorts aren't just for winters anymore. In fact, most Idaho ski resorts have been investing a lot of time and money to upgrade their summer operations. From lift-assisted mountain biking to taking a zipline tour or a ride on a mountain coaster, there are plenty of things to do on the mountain during the summer season. Most resorts also feature live music, food and drink, and other social activities on the weekends. Check out the links below for a look at our local ski resorts' summer plans.

Bogus Basin - Bogus's 10-mile Around the Mountain mountain bike loop has been ranked by MTBproject.com as the best trail in Idaho. In addition to mountain biking, you can try out the Glade Runner mountain coaster, go tubing, scale the climbing wall, catch some air on the bungee trampoline, or just take a day hike. Open weekends only until 7-day-a-week operations begin on Thursday, June 20.

Brundage Mountain - With an ever-expanding mountain bike park, Brundage offers something for all skill levels. If mountain biking isn't your thing, consider a game of disc golf or a scenic hike. Afterwords, get a bite to eat and a frosty beverage at Smoky's Bar & Grill. The resort also has a number of summer entertainment events planned, including a concert series. See the schedule here. Summer operations begin June 15, with the Bluebird Express quad chairlift running from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Wednesday - Sunday, through Labor Day.

Tamarack Resort - Like Bogus and Brundage, Tamarack features some of the best mountain biking trails in the state. But one thing Tamarack has that the others don't is a stellar zipline course that will have you soaring through Ponderosa pines, giving you a birds-eye view of Lake Cascade and the surrounding mountains. Tickets for the three-hour tour cost $99 per person. Speaking of Lake Cascade, it's just a 15 minute drive from Tamarack. There are several watersports outfitters offering rentals of kayaks, paddleboards, motorized pontoon boats, and more.

Sun Valley - Idaho's iconic winter ski destination is no slouch when it comes to summer fun. Sun Valley offers nearly 400 miles of singletrack trails for hiking and running. Or take a guided horseback tour through the stunning Wood River Valley landscape. And with 45 holes on three courses, golfers won't be left wanting. After a day in the sun, check out an ice show or go ice skating on one of the only year-round outdoor ice rinks in the country.

Meridian Speedway

• 335 South Main Street, Meridian
• Website
• This popular quarter-mile asphalt short track boasts auto racing on Saturday nights all summer long. Gates open at 4:45 p.m. and racing starts at 6:45 p.m.

Firebird Raceway

• 8551 Idaho 16, Eagle
• Website
• Founded in 1968, Firebird Raceway hosts drag races (mostly on Fridays and Saturdays) during the April - October season. Be sure to check out the Pepsi Nightfire Nationals Aug. 9 - 12, the raceway's premier event.

Boise Hawks Baseball

• Memorial Stadium, 5600 N Glenwood Street, Boise
• Website
• Boise's hometown pro baseball team - the Hawks - are a Single-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. To guarantee the best seats available for 2019, contact the Boise Hawks Front Office at (208) 322-5000.

Movies Under the Stars (Boise)

• June 15 - Aug. 10
• Locations: Various parks in Boise
• Website

• Families will enjoy a fun-filled evening of kids’ activities and great films on seven evenings for the “Movies Under the Stars” in Boise. The fun begins at 7 p.m. with free games for kids. At dusk, family-friendly movies are shown on a 30-foot inflatable movie screen.

CableONE Movie Night (Meridian)

• Fridays, June 7 - August 23
• Settlers Park, Meridian
• Website
• Meridian Parks and Recreation hosts this free, family-friendly event every Friday night in June, July, and August at Settlers Park.

Silver Screen on the Green (Nampa)

• Fridays, June 14 - Aug. 16
• Optimist Park
• Website
• Grab a blanket, a lawn chair, family and friends, and head to Optimist Park in Nampa to watch family-friendly movies on the big screen. Fun begins at 8:30 p.m., and movies begin at dusk.

Starlight Cinema Series (Caldwell)

• Thursdays, June 6 - Aug. 22
• Indian Creek Plaza, Caldwell
• Website
• The theme of this summer's Starlight Cinema Series is "Throwback Thursday," and will feature popular movies from the past, and new movies featuring your favorite childhood toys, heroes, and more. Movies start at 8 p.m.

Idaho Botanical Garden

• Open 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. daily
• 2355 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise
• Website
• One of the most popular summer destinations in Boise, the Idaho Botanical Garden hosts a wide range of events year 'round. In addition to summer concert series (see concerts section above), the Garden is home to various educational and cultural events, and offers private tours. Or you can just stop by for a self-guided stroll through the gorgeous floral scenery.

Roaring Springs Waterpark

• Open 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily
• 400 W. Overland Road, Meridian
• Website
• Cool off this summer at the Treasure Valley's only waterpark; New attractions this year include Bearfoot Bay, a wilderness-themed playground for kids with three new slides, 12 animal-themed play features, an expanded shallow wading pool, six new cabanas, and giant umbrellas to shade parents.

Wahooz Family Fun Zone

• Mon. - Thurs. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m. - 12 a.m.; Sun. 10 a.m. 10 p.m.
• 1385 Blue Marlin Lane, Meridian
• Website
• Located right next door to Roaring Springs, Wahooz is a fun amusement park for the entire family. New attractions include the 17,000 square-foot, four-story Indoor Adventure Park.

Zoo Boise

• Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily
• 355 Julia Davis Drive, Boise
• Website
• With a long list of fun events planned all summer long, you can always find something to do at Zoo Boise. Highlighted events include Zoo Daze (June 8) and Zoobilee (Sept. 15). Also returning this summer is the popular Butterflies in Bloom attraction from June 1 - Labor Day. And be sure to check out the new 2.5-acre Gorongosa National Park Exhibit opening on July 17.

Yankee Fork Gold Dredge

• Open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily
• 300 Yankee Fork Road, Stanley
• Website
• Admission: Adults - $5; Children 6-12 - $1; Donations encouraged
• Get a taste of Idaho mining history with a visit to the Yankee Fork Gold Dredge, outside of beautiful Stanley, Idaho. Take a tour of the dredge and feel the power of the two Insgersoll-Rand diesel engines that once powered the massive machine. Next on your tour, visit the historic ghost mining town of Custer, just a mile up the road.

Boise Farmers Market

• 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturdays, April 6 - Oct. 26
• 1500 Shoreline Drive, Boise
• Website
• MORE: Boise Farmers Market opens at its new location

Capital City Public Market

• Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., April 13 - Oct 26
• 8th and Idaho streets, Boise
• Website

Caldwell Farmers Market

• Tuesday, 5 - 9 p.m., May 21 - Sept. 17
• Indian Creek Plaza, Caldwell
• Website
• The Caldwell Farmers Market is now part of Tuesdays on the Creek at the Indian Creek Plaza in downtown Caldwell. The Market will run from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in conjunction with the Summer Concert Series (6 - 9 p.m.)
• MORE: Farm to Fork Farmers' Market opens in Caldwell

Eagle Saturday Market

• Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. - 2 p.m., May 4 - Oct. 5
• Heritage Park, 185 E. State Street, Eagle
• Website

Emmett Farmers Market

• Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., and Wednesdays, 3 to 6 p.m., June 1 - Oct. 26
• Blaser Park, North Washington Avenue and West Park Street, Emmett
• Website

McCall Farmers Market

• Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., June 6 through mid-October
• Intersection of Pine and Lenora streets, McCall
• Website

Meridian Main Street Market

• Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., April 13 - Oct. 12
• Meridian City Hall plaza, 33 E. Broadway Avenue
• Website

Nampa Farmers Market

• Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., April 27 - Oct. 26
• Lloyd Square Park, 13th and Front streets, Nampa
• Website

If you know of an event that should be in this guide, please email tmiller@ktvb.com.