Hyde Park Street Fair returns ‘a bit different’ after 2 years. Here’s what to know, Boise

After four decades, Boise knows what to expect from this weekend’s Hyde Park Street Fair.

A blast.

(And hula hoops. Lots of gyrating hula hoops.)

Sure, a few vendors and bands will change. And smiling new faces will appear among the enthusiastic crowds. (Who are these people? Welcome to growing Boise!)

Otherwise, Friday, Saturday and Sunday will offer a near-perfect, end-of-summer Boise ritual: live music, tasty food, arts, crafts and cold beer.

Yet the 41st annual fair “will look a bit different,” longtime event coordinator Carl Scheider says.

During a two-year hiatus caused by the COVID pandemic, the free party received a layout overhaul. Specifically, the main vendors — all 160-plus of them (a record high!) — will be situated differently. Organizers hope the redesigned map will encourage better flow, with fewer electrical cables to stumble across.

“Basically, we finally figured out how to put square pegs in a triangle area,” Scheider jokes.

“In the new design, we have wider aisles, and hopefully, we have less electrical crossings,” he says, “which is the two biggest things we’ve always had problems with.”

As usual, the atmosphere in Camel’s Back Park will be inclusive and family-friendly, with a slight neo-hippie flavor. Like the Western Idaho Fair, adults can stroll around while sipping beer, which is sold on site.

Unlike the Western Idaho Fair, vendors will focus on artsy goodies more than commercial endeavors. “We have commercial booths,” Scheider says, “but most of them are clothing booths or jewelry booths.

“We don’t have the guy cleaning your glasses,” he says with a laugh. “We try to stay away from being like the Western Idaho Fair. That’s their territory, not ours.”

All the musicians will be local. Nineteen acts are scheduled on the main stage, plus another 22 on the community stage.

Main stage headliners: Audio Moonshine from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Voice of Reason from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, and Bill Coffey and His Cash Money Cousins from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Be aware: Parking can be challenging. An estimated 30,000 people usually attend over three days. The North End gets transformed into a sprawling residential parking lot. (Thanks in advance for your patience, locals.)

“Anywhere close to the park area, there’s nothing there,” Scheider says. “You kind of have to hike in. That’s why we encourage biking.”

There is a bike corral and also a scooter drop-off area. But unlike past years, there won’t be a shuttle to and from the park. (Maybe next year.)

One other thing missing from prior fests that parents might notice? There won’t be a dedicated area for kids. Nope, no bounce house this time.

Point the rugrats toward the playground at Camel’s Back Park instead. It’s been expanded since the last street fair in 2019. “It’s a lot bigger,” Scheider says. “It’s very nice.”

Lastly, if you’re a Boise newbie scratching your head about a street fair not actually in a street — here’s the deal. The original Hyde Park Street Fair was a much smaller shindig. It happened a few blocks away on 13th Street. Eventually, the North End Neighborhood Association moved it to Camel’s Back Park in 1997, where it has expanded into one of Boise’s most popular gatherings. The Hyde Park Street Fair is NENA’s biggest yearly fundraiser.

The hours of this year’s Hyde Park Street Fair are business as usual: 4 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Main stage schedule

(Subject to change)

Friday, Sept. 16

5-5:45 p.m.: Rebecca Scott

6-6:45 p.m.: Shon Sanders and 4 Penny Peep Show

7-7:45 p.m.: aka Belle

8-9:30 p.m.: Audio Moonshine

Saturday, Sept. 14

12-12:45 p.m.: Irreverent Tones

1-1:45 p.m.: Minor Paradox

2-2:45 p.m.: Patrick Dansereau

3-3:45 p.m.: Various Lazy

4-4:45 p.m.: Low-fi

5-5:45 p.m.: Son of Good Sam

6-6:45 p.m.: Ryan Curtis

7-7:45 p.m.: Max Beefwater Band

8-9:30 p.m.: Voice of Reason

Sunday, Sept. 15

11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Nicole Christensen and Ben Burdick Trio

12:30-1:15 p.m.: Blaze and Kelly

1:30-2:15 p.m.: High Pine Whiskey Yell

2:30-3:15 pm.: Bernie Reilly Band

3:30-4:15 p.m.: Thomas Paul Band

4:30-6 p.m.: Bill Coffey and his Cash Money Cousins