Well the time has come, summer vacation is about over and before we know it we're back to the daily grind of shuffling kids to and from school and after-school activities. As I mentioned from the beginning, this blog was only going to last through the summer and the time has come.
You can still find family-friendly events in our entertainment calendar here.
If there's an event I haven't listed, please feel free to post in the comments section below.
BOISE
Western Idaho Fair -- Friday through Aug. 27
The Western Idaho Fair will surprise and delight you with a midway full of exciting rides, cute animal tricks, a plethora of entertainment and, of course, two words you’ve been waiting to hear all year: FAIR FOOD!
Shows: Flash back to the days of King Arthur when World Tournament of Champion Knights of the Realm recreates a medieval jousting tournament in the Grandstand with battling horses, clashing swords and knights in armor. 4 and 7 p.m. Aug. 19.
You also can see a team of expert lumberjacks show their climbing, chopping and sawing skills at the Timberworks Lumberjack Show. Various times daily.
Performing awards: Animals get in the act, too. Learn about the most beautiful insect in the world at Butterfly Adventures, an interactive display that gets you close to these wonders. Noon daily.
Your eyes aren’t fooling you. There will be seals balancing balls, catching hoops and more at the daily Sea Lion Show.
Contests and demonstrations: Think of these as a reality show happening right before your eyes. How far can a woman toss a cast-iron skillet? Find out at the Women’s Skillet Toss 6 p.m. Aug. 24 in the Onion Ring.
Also, check out speed knitting at “A Minute to Knit” competition at noon Aug. 22 at the DemoStation and “How to Give a Chicken a Bath” (self-explanatory) at 1 p.m. Aug. 20-23, 25 and 27-28 in the Kids Corral.
Midway: The most popular ride from last year, Fireball, gets you two ways: You rotate 360 degrees as you’re swinging in a 180-degree arc.
Check out the stomach-churner Evolution, which is one of only three in the world. This one takes you on two 360 degree spins. The cars are rotating while the whole ride rotates.
And the Pole Position Spinning Roller Coaster will rearrange your innards as its three levels take you 55 feet above the ground.
Food: You can enjoy food several ways, from just buying your favorites such as Pronto Pups, a buttery ear of corn or a Idaho ice cream spud (pictured, left). Or check out the food competitions from the Salsa Bowl on Aug. 21 to the BOB-e-Que Battle amateur barbecue cook-off on Aug. 27.
Music: Country? Funk? Rock? The fair has it covered. Michael Deeds previews the grandstand entertainment here.
Movies Under the Stars -- Saturday
Free games and crafts for kids, face painting and music at 7 p.m. with movie “Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader” at dusk Aug. 20, Gene Harris Bandshell, Julia Davis Park, 700 S. Capitol Blvd., Boise. www.boiseschoolsfoundation.com. Free.
Bug Day -- Saturday
Learn about the world of bugs in an adventurous environment. Earn a “Certificate in Bugology,” purchase edible insects, play bug bingo, participate in Insect Olympics, catch live bugs and meet the experts. Admission is $8 general, $4 IBG members and children 4-12, free for ages 3 and younger.
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 20, Idaho Botanical Garden, 2355 N. Penitentiary Road, Boise. 343-8649, www.idahobotanicalgarden.org.
Best of the Best Car Show -- Saturday
Benefit for Wish Granters. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 20, Squeezers Boise, 9140 W. Emerald St. 377-5353.
Pepsi Free Skate Day -- Saturday
Idaho IceWorld celebrates the end of summer with “Pepsi Free Skate Day” from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20. Kids and adults are invited to enjoy free public skating, skate rentals and free Pepsi products at the Chicago Connection and Blimpie’s locations at IceWorld Located at 7072 S. Eisenman Road off the I-84 Gowen Road exit, Idaho IceWorld is operated by Boise Parks & Recreation. The indoor skating facility also includes a game arcade, Blimpie’s and Chicago Connection restaurants, and a 5,000-square-foot room available for rent.
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, August 19), enjoy 'Ramona and Beezus' on the huge inflatable movie screen. All movies start at dusk.
Worship in the Park -- Friday
Returning this year is international worship leader Brenton Brown, along with members of the Treasure Valley Worship Leaders Band and one surprise artist. 6 to 9:30 p.m. Aug. 19, Settlers Park, 3245 N. Meridian Road. www.worshipintheparkidaho.com. Free.
CALDWELL
Caldwell Night Rodeo -- Friday and Saturday
Get your rodeo on this weekend when more than 30 of the world’s best athletes show up to compete in the Caldwell Night Rodeo. The 77th annual CNR will bring more than 40,000 fans to Caldwell to watch the action. You’ll see more than 30 world champions and 51 Idaho cowboys compete in bronco busting, steer wrestling, bareback and bull riding, barrel racing and more. Aug. 19 is Wrangler Patriot Night, and Aug. 20 is the grand finale Championship when the top 12 contestants in all events go for the big prizes.
Junior rodeo at 6:45 p.m., junior steer riding at 7:15 p.m., opening ceremonies at 7:45 p.m. and rodeo at 7:55 p.m. Aug. 19 and 20, Caldwell rodeo grounds, 2301 Blaine St., $20 general, $8 children at CaldwellNightRodeo.com and the gate.
Movies For a Cause -- Friday
Watch “Mamma Mia” and enjoy music, food, street vendors. Benefit for Hope’s Door. 9 to 11 p.m. Aug. 19, Caldwell Memorial Park, Grant Street and S. Kimball Avenue. Free.
MCCALL
Payette Lakes Arts and Crafts Fair: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 20 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 21, Fairway Park, 924 Fairway Drive, McCall. (208) 922-4384. Free.
STANLEY
Sawtooth Salmon Festival -- Saturday
Music, salmon spawning tours, vendors, activities and a wild salmon dinner. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 20, Sawtooth Interpretive and Historical Association, Idaho 75, Stanley. Free (dinner is $15 general, $10 children). http://sawtoothsalmonfestival.com.
COUNCIL
Council Mountain Music Festival -- Saturday and Sunday
Music by Jimmy Bivens, Idaho Stillwaters, Will Williams and Gravel Road, High Desert, Wanigan, Hotwire. Also, open jam session and food and craft vendors. 6 to 10 p.m. Aug. 19, noon to 10 p.m. Aug. 20 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 21, Veterans Memorial Peace Park, Idaho 95, Council. www.councilfestival.com. Free.
IN THEATERS
‘FRIGHT NIGHT’
Rating: R for bloody horror violence and language, including some sexual references.
What it’s about: A teenager notices classmates and neighbors disappearing. Could it be vampires?
The kid attractor factor: Did I mention the vampires? None of these bedazzled ones with the big hair, either.
Good lessons/bad lessons: Don’t ditch your nerd friends. They have all the answers.
Violence: Quite a bit and bloody, too.
Language: Some profanity, crude sexual come-ons.
Sex: Pursued, rejected, discussed with some Vegas stage act skin.
Drugs: One character appears to stay blitzed on absinthe.
Parents’ advisory: The violence, in 3D, is entirely too intense for small fry. OK for 14 and older.
‘ONE DAY’
Rating: PG-13 for sexual content, partial nudity, language, some violence and substance abuse.
What it’s about: Girl meets boy in college and they flirt with the idea of becoming a couple — for decades.
The kid attractor factor: Anne Hathaway in love.
Good lessons/bad lessons: Carry a torch too long, you’ll get burned.
Violence: None.
Language: Quite a bit of Brit-swearing.
Sex: Almost.
Drugs: Drugs and alcohol are abused.
Parents’ advisory: Not a romantic comedy, so it won’t really appeal to those 13 and younger, but certainly suitable for 13 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.
