Every Friday through the summer, I am posting a roundup of weekend events happening in the Treasure Valley that are perfect for families. If there's an event I haven't listed, please feel free to post in the comments section below.
ENTER TO WIN 4 ROARING SPRINGS PASSES
What better way to beat the summer heat than shooting down Pipeline Mines, Rattlesnake Rapids or Thunder Falls water slides? We’re giving away four passes to one lucky person in our weekend contest. Go to IdahoStatesman.com both Saturday and Sunday to enter. A winner will be announced Monday.
CALDWELL
Canyon County Fair -- Friday, Saturday and Sunday
The Canyon County Fair is the biggest show in the Valley this weekend. You’ll find a thrill-loaded carnival, loads of your favorite fair food, community contests (from pie-baking to watermelon eating ) and farm animals of every ilk. (Not just cows. Really!) It’s all for a good time. Sunday is Smoke Free Family Day, sponsored by the Idaho Statesman and Project Filter. Get 60 carnival ride tickets for just $45. There’s also free entertainment throughout the fair, including main stage acts Tracy Lawrence on July 29, Kansas on July 30, and Jo Dee Messina on July 31.
11 a.m. to midnight July 29-30 and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 31, Canyon County Fairgrounds, 111 S. 22nd Ave., Caldwell. $5 general, $3 seniors and children 6-12, free for ages 5 and younger, at the gate. 455-8500. Find a full schedule and contest information at Details: CanyonCountyFair.org.
Movies for a Cause - Friday
Watch 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off.' Benefit for Idaho Botanical Garden. Doors open 7 p.m. and the movie will begin at dusk. Friday, July 29, Idaho Botanical Garden, 2355 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise. $3 IBG members, $5 nonmembers. 343-8649
BOISE
'Anne of Green Gables' -- Friday and Saturday
The 12th annual Boise Parks and Recreation summer collaboration with Boise Little Theater brings to the stage a new adaptation of "Anne of Green Gables." L.M. Montgomery's classic story follows Anne Shirley (played as a young girl by Madeline Garner, of Boise) from her first encounter with her austere guardian to her thrilling graduation from Queen's Academy.
7:30 p.m., July 29, with a 2 p.m. matinee July 30, 100 E. Fort St. $8 general, $5 children younger than 12. 342-5104, BoiseLittleTheater.org
Sprout Summer Camp -- Saturday
Themed “All About Art,” the camp for kids ages 2-8 features interactive activities inspired by Sprout, the first 24-hour preschool channel that parents and children share together. Kicks off with story time featuring books based on Sprout characters that tout the importance of staying active. There will be games, songs and arts and crafts projects. Kids will be sent home with a “certificate of completion” as well as a special Sprout giveaway while supplies last.
2 p.m. July 30, Borders, 1123 N. Milwaukee St., Boise. Free. www.sproutonline/borders.
Harry Potter Birthday Party -- Saturday
The Library! at Hillcrest will celebrate the birthday of Harry Potter on Saturday, July 30, at 1 p.m.
Stop by the Library anytime to pick up your invitation to the Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and to learn which house you'll join. Be sure to bring your invitation with you on July 30 and prepare to have fun. Harry's birthday party kicks off with a special story time, and continues as participants join their houses to crack Gringott's Code, write secret messages with invisible ink, drink butterbeer, and compete in broomstick races. Kids will make finger puppets of their favorite Hogwarts characters, and earn tickets to exchange for prizes at Fred and George's Joke Shop. Parents are encouraged to assist with craft activities.
For more information, phone 562-4996, or visit www.boisepubliclibrary.org. The Library! at Hillcrest is a branch of the Boise Public Library system, and is located at 5246 W. Overland Road in the Hillcrest Shopping Center.
MERIDIAN
CableONE Movie Night in Meridian -- Friday
Grab your family and bring your lawn chairs and blankets for movie night at Settlers Park in Meridian. Tonight (Friday, July 29), enjoy 'How To Train Your Dragon' on the huge inflatable movie screen. All movies start at dusk.
Spongebob Squarepants visits Roaring Springs, and Saturday Family Slide Night -- Saturday
Spongebob Squarepants will visit the waterpark from 4 to 7 p.m. Kids can get their photo taken with him at Bikini Bottom.(Note: Spongebob's visit is not part of Family Slide Night).
At Saturday Family Slide Night, between 7:30-10:30 p.m., families can race through a giant inflatable obstacle course,and participate in a belly flop contest with prizes for the biggest splash. For pricing information for full-day, PM Plunge, Saturday Family Slide Night and other Roaring Spring passes here: http://bit.ly/oR80Zh
IN THEATERS
‘THE SMURFS’
Rating: PG for some mild rude humor and action.
What it’s about: The little blue people are sucked out of their mushroom village and land in Central Park, chased by the evil wizard Gargamel.
The kid attractor factor: Tiny blue elves getting into mischief with Neil Patrick Harris.
Good lessons/bad lessons: “Nobody is just one thing. You can be anything you want to be.”
Violence: Slapstick stuff, little blue people are put in peril.
Language: Profanity is replaced by the word “smurf.” Always.
Sex: None, though Gargamel has a “chamber pot” moment in an NYC restaurant.
Drugs: Champagne is consumed.
Parents’ advisory: Perfectly suitable for all ages and somewhat sillier and less insipid than the TV show parents will remember.
‘CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE.’
Rating: PG-13 for coarse humor, sexual content and language.
What it’s about: Assorted interconnected couples — teens through newly divorced adults — struggle with landing their respective “soul mates.”
The kid attractor factor: Steve Carell acting silly, lovesick teens making fools of themselves.
Good lessons/bad lessons: “The war between the sexes is over. We won.”
Violence: Punches thrown, slapstick-style.
Language: Some profanity, a lot of innuendo.
Sex: Yup, though nothing graphic.
Drugs: Lots of drinks are consumed in the movie’s many bar scenes.
Parents’ advisory: This is a dating-age romantic farce, most suitable for 15 and older.
Roger Moore, The Orlando Sentinel
FIND EVEN MORE THINGS TO DO
Find even more family-friendly events using our entertainment calendar here
SHARE WHAT YOU'RE DOING THIS WEEKEND
What are your plans? Are you going camping? Headed some place fun for vacation? We'd like to hear from you. Post your plans in the comments section below or on our Facebook page here.
