Going to the Western Idaho Fair? Secrets to avoid long lines, grab good concert seats

If you’re planning to hit one or two of the grandstand concerts at this week’s Western Idaho Fair, take a deep breath.

You’re going to wait in line. At some point.

“When everything’s free, there’s going to be a line no matter what,” Fair Director Bob Batista says.

This year’s fair might even have slightly longer lines than normal because of a shortage of workers — although things are a little better than last year, according to organizers.

If you play your cards right, you can minimize the waits. Follow these tips for a more efficient experience at concerts by Chris Janson (Monday), Ja Rule & Ashanti (Tuesday), Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo (Wednesday), Stone Temple Pilots (Thursday) and Billy Currington (Friday).

1. Buy fair tickets beforehand: Grandstand concerts are free with paid fair admission. Go to idahofair.com to buy tickets. Bingo! You just skipped a line. Tickets are $12 adult, $10 senior 62 and older, $9 child 6 to 11. Kids 5 and younger get in free. Just be aware: You’ll pay a service fee if you purchase tickets online rather than at the gate.

2. Get in line early. (Or don’t?): Concert gates open at 6 p.m. — or 90 minutes before showtime. But lines for popular performers often begin materializing by early afternoon outside the ICCU Grandstand. So plan to arrive ahead of time — “if you want a good seat,” Batista says.

Concerts start at 7:30 p.m. and normally last until around 9 p.m. All seats and standing areas are first-come, first-served. But remember, fans come and go all evening. “Seriously, if you’re just wanting to come in and walk and hear a couple of songs, then you don’t have to be here bright and early,” Batista says. “But if you’re a die-hard fan, you gotta be early.”

In recent years, the fair also has created additional standing room by opening up the paddock area and widening the area by the stage. Video screens have been added for better visibility, too.

Insider tip: Ja Rule & Ashanti and Billy Currington are expected to be the most popular shows. “But all of the concerts have lots of buzz this year,” fair spokesperson Becki Woodbury adds. “We anticipate crowds at all the concerts.”

3. Consider parking and entering on the Glenwood Street side: The parking lot and carnival gate on the north side can be a wise choice if you’re hoping to encounter smaller crowds and shorter entry lines. Why? It’s farther from the grandstand concerts.

4. Even easier: Uber! The Western Idaho Fair has a ride-share line. So if you want to skip parking entirely, grab an Uber or Lyft.

5. Don’t bail right after the concert: Unless, of course, you enjoy navigating crowds and traffic. Zillions of Boise folks try to exit the fair immediately after the concerts end. Take your time. Hop a quick carnival ride after the show. Or grab another bite to eat. Aw, man — is that a freakin’ line at the Pronto Pup stand?