Words & Deeds

Promising ‘spectacular’ series, Western Idaho Fair reveals 5 grandstand concerts

Forget sky-high grocery costs and tariff nightmares — are concert ticket prices stressing you out?

The Western Idaho Fair’s got your back.

Consistently providing some of the best live-music value in the Boise market, the fair just revealed its grandstand entertainment for this summer.

Organizers describe it as “spectacular.” (Gotta love enthusiasm.) For marginally jaded fans, will “spectacularly nostalgic” suffice?

Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Daughtry, Jake Owen, The All-American Rejects and Wynonna Judd will headline this year’s event, which takes place Aug. 15-24 at Expo Idaho in Garden City.

Grandstand concerts are free with paid fair admission. It’s all part of what organizers promise will be “another unforgettable summer.”

“The Western Idaho Fair brings together the excitement of Butler Carnival’s thrilling rides and attractions, an array of competitive exhibits, delicious fair food, and a spectacular grandstand concert series,” a press release said.

All shows are first-come, first-served. If a show reaches capacity, fans are allowed inside after others exit.

Want to skip the seat scramble? If you’re willing to spend a few extra bucks, reserved tickets are available. There’s also a new VIP standing pit pass this year.

Country singer Jon Pardi drew a massive 17,200 fans to the Western Idaho Fair in 2021.
Country singer Jon Pardi drew a massive 17,200 fans to the Western Idaho Fair in 2021. Tyler Leaman

In case you aren’t familiar with all the performers, here’s the scoop.

Bachman-Turner Overdrive, or BTO, is a Canadian classic-rock band known for 1970s hits such as “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” and “Takin’ Care of Business.” Key members still in the group include Randy Bachman (vocals, lead guitar) and Fred Turner (vocals, bass).

Rock band Daughtry is led by former “American Idol” finalist Chris Daughtry. The group’s self-titled debut was the bestselling album of 2007 and featured hits such as “It’s Not Over” and “Home.”

Jake Owen is a country singer. He released his debut album in 2006. Owen is known for hits such as “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” and “Eight Second Ride.”

Rock group The All-American Rejects exploded out of Oklahoma in the early 2000s. The group’s best-known hit is “Gives You Hell,” but other favorites include “Swing, Swing,” “Dirty Little Secret,” “Move Along,” and “It Ends Tonight.”

Wynonna Judd? Come on, you’ve heard of her. She often just goes by her first name. One of the most successful female country singers of all time, she’s racked up 19 No. 1 singles if you include ones released as a member of The Judds. (That’s the duo she had with her late mother, Naomi, back in the 1980s.)

Advance general-admission fair tickets, carnival wristbands and reserved and VIP options for grandstand shows are available at idahofair.com.

Prices and specific dates for the concerts were not provided in the press release.

Expo Idaho is located at 5610 N. Glenwood St.

This story was originally published April 8, 2025 at 10:00 AM.

Michael Deeds
Idaho Statesman
Michael Deeds is a long-serving entertainment reporter and opinion columnist at the Idaho Statesman, where he chronicles the Boise good life: restaurants, concerts, culture, cool stuff. He started as a summer intern after graduating from the University of Nebraska with a news-editorial journalism degree. Deeds’ prior Statesman roles have included sportswriter, music critic and features editor. His other writing has ranged from freelancing album reviews for The Washington Post to bragging about Boise in that inflight magazine you left on the plane. 
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