5 things to do this weekend in Boise: Hyde Park, BSU tailgating, Oktoberfest, concerts

With summer winding down, the entertainment calendar is kicking into overdrive. Looking for things to do? Here are weekend highlights in the Boise area.

Party at a ‘street’ fair

After a two-year pandemic hiatus, the Hyde Park Street Fair is back — and with an improved, tweaked layout. The 41st end-of-summer ritual at Camel’s Back Park will feature more than 160 vendors (a record high) along with live music, arts, crafts, food and drink. About 30,000 people normally attend the three-day party, so consider riding a bike. Otherwise, prepare to park in the North End and hike a few blocks. The family-friendly party, which benefits the North End Neighborhood Association, is free to attend. Hours: 4 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18. Online: northendboise.org.

Hoist a stein

Local beer drinkers always look forward to Payette Brewing’s Oktoberfest. Expanded to three days last year, it’s now the Boise brewery’s largest event. Expect lots of German-inspired food truck goodies, traditional live music, games (ax throwing!) — and, of course, Boiseans donned in dirndl dresses and lederhosen. It’s free to walk in. You then buy an empty stein ($10 for liter, $6 for 1/2 liter) and drink tokens ($7 each; you need two to fill the biggie). Have a stein from a prior year? You can bring it. They’re even showing the Boise State football game on a huge screen in the parking lot Saturday. Oktoberfest runs from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, and 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, and Sunday, Sept. 18. Payette is at 733 S. Pioneer St. Online: payettebrewing.com/oktoberfest.

Cheer for BSU

It’s tailgating time. After splitting season-starting road games, the Boise State Broncos finally have their first home test Saturday, Sept. 17. They’ll take on UT-Martin (1-1) in an afternoon clash with a 2 p.m. kickoff. Game tickets are available for $45-$69 general, $30-$45 junior. Ready for upgrades this year inside Albertsons Stadium? There’s a larger video board in the north end zone. Or check out the grab-and-go Locals Corner market on the northwest concourse. (Along with food, you’ll find beer from breweries such as Lost Grove, Payette Brewing, Sockeye Brewing and Woodland Empire.) Can’t attend the game? It will be televised on FS1. For tickets, visit broncosports.com.

Hit a concert

The time is now for live music. This weekend marks the second-to-last show at Outlaw Field at the Idaho Botanical Garden. It’s also the second year of the Crooked 8 Hoedown festival in Kuna. (Live bands plus bronco riding? Welcome to Idaho.)

▪ Crooked 8 HoeDown: Featuring nine bands with headliners Claire Dunn (Friday) and Chancey Williams (Saturday), indoor covered bar, food trucks, and a Bronc Bash (8 p.m. Sept. 17). 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, and 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, Crooked 8, 1882 E. King Road, Kuna. $85 single day pass, $150 weekend pass. crooked8.com.

▪ Flume: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, Outlaw Field, Idaho Botanical Garden, 2355 N. Penitentiary Road, Boise. $39.50. Ticketmaster. Opening: Quiet Bison, Kareem Ali.

▪ Stoney Holiday: 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, The Olympic, 1009 W. Main St., Boise. $10. eventbrite.com. $12 at the door.

▪ Pierre Bensusan: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, Sapphire Room, The Riverside Hotel, 2900 W. Chinden Blvd., Boise. $22 general, $27 preferred. eventbrite.com.

▪ Earthgang: 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, Knitting Factory, 416 S. 9th St., Boise. $25 general, $65-$75 reserved balcony. Ticketmaster. Special guests: ZERO.

▪ Hoobastank and Lit: 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, Expo Idaho, 5610 N. Glenwood St., Garden City. $35. idahoconcertseries.com.

▪ Chaoseum: 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, Knitting Factory, 416 S. 9th St., Boise. $12 general, $19 reserved balcony. TicketWeb. Special guests: Part Time Super Heroes, Kolasis.

Have a laugh

Whether you’re old enough to remember her HBO comedy specials in the 1980s, or just fun enough to listen to her nowadays on NPR’s quiz show “Wait Wait ... Don’t Tell Me,” you’ve gotta love Paula Poundstone. She’ll always be a unique personality in the comedy universe. Poundstone will headline a night of stand-up at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Egyptian Theatre, 700 W. Main St. Seats are $38 at Ticketmaster.

Looking for some cheaper laughs? The Lounge at the End of the Universe, 2417 Bank Drive, hosts a weekly Improv Comedy Show every Friday at 9 p.m. for $10.

This story was originally published September 15, 2022 at 3:29 PM.