Weekend things to do: 10,000 partyers in downtown Meridian, a ruff day in Boise, cider fest
The weekend has arrived. There are tons of things to do in greater Boise.
Here are highlights on the entertainment calendar.
1. Celebrate Oktoberfest (again)
Did you miss Oktoberfest celebrations in Boise? Or are you ready to prance around in Lederhosen again? Go west. A whopping 10,000 people are expected Saturday during the second annual Meridian Oktoberfest. Presented by the Meridian Chamber of Commerce, the festival has been expanded this year. All ages are welcome at the super-sized party, which is free to enter. You’ll find 95 vendors on site, a beer garden with lots of brews, traditional German cuisine and other food options, plus contests and games. Live bands will include the Boise Edelweiss Band (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), The Moody Jews (3 to 6 p.m.) and Redstone (7:30 to 9:30 p.m.). It runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the intersection of 2nd and Idaho streets. (Note that street closures have been expanded to include Broadway Avenue this year.)
2. See Spot Walk
It’s gonna be a ruff morning at Julia Davis Park on Saturday. Trot down there and you’ll find See Spot Walk. Now in its 31st year, the event attracts an army of tail-wagging canines and their panting, running-shoe-wearing owners. The canine chaos is highlighted by a walk through the park, but also includes “opportunities to engage with fellow dog enthusiasts, experience fun contests and prizes, sample dog-related goodies from vendors, purchase tasty eats from local food trucks and take in the beautiful fall colors on the one-mile dog walk,” according to a media release. “Not only is this the largest dog walk in Idaho, but it is also the Idaho Humane Society’s most significant fundraiser ... .” The fun run starts at 10 a.m., the walk at 10:30 a.m., and the barking stops at 12:30 p.m. (At least in the park.) Advance registration is $30 per person (including a T-shirt), $20 for youth (also with a shirt), at seespotwalk.org.
3. Join BSU homecoming
The Boise State football team hosts San Jose State at 6 p.m. Saturday on the blue turf — and it’s homecoming weekend. Highlights include the homecoming parade down Cesar Chavez Lane starting at 6 p.m. Friday, followed by a pep rally at DeChevrieux Field with coaches and athletes in attendance. There’s also a Homecoming and Parent and Family Tailgate Party from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday at DeChevrieux, and a BSU men’s basketball scrimmage at 3:30 p.m. at ExtraMile Arena. Tickets to the football game are available at BroncosSports.com. Ready to tailgate? Parking lots open eight hours before kickoff.
4. Drink cider
Do you like cider? The hard stuff? Then you’ll be a fan of Idaho Cider Fest from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Taking over Freak Alley, 210 N. 9th St. in downtown Boise, the event will feature nine Northwest cideries — three from Idaho — including Boise’s own Meriwether. It’s all-ages and free to enter; imbibers of legal drinking age will pay $4.50 for 6-ounce-pour tokens. Food will be sold by Taste of the Caribbean. Plus, there will be games from the Downtown Boise Association’s Downtown Plays to keep things festive.
5. Sip big beers
If you’re fan of local breweries and big beers, you know about Barbarian Brewing. Welp, here we go. Barbarian will celebrate its 8th anniversary from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday with a Barrel Aged Beer Fest featuring more than 40 Barbarian barrel-aged beers at its Garden City taproom, 114 E. 32nd St. Highlights include a five-year vertical of barrel-aged versions of Old Man Dirk Scottish ale, a three-year of The Morrigan Imperial stout, and three-year versions of Raise Your Horns, Spawn of Barbarian and Cry of the Blackbirds (all sours). Tickets are $40 in advance at EventBrite or $50 at the door, which includes unlimited 2-ounce pours and a glass to take home. On-site food trucks will include Joker’s BBQ, Emily’s Mexican Grill and the Gelato Shop.