What’s new at the Western Idaho Fair — plus tips for concerts, lines, traffic
If you’re planning to hit the Western Idaho Fair, take a deep breath. You’re going to wait in line at some point.
And it’s gonna be worth it!
This year’s fair runs today through Sunday, Aug. 24, at Expo Idaho, with all sorts of returning favorites and new thrills.
The big draw? Grandstand concerts. They’re all free with paid fair admission. Limited reserved and VIP tickets to the shows were sold in advance. But since the deadline for those has passed, expect a friendly free-for-all when it comes to the remaining general-admission seats.
If you play your cards right, you can minimize waits and score good concert seats. You’ll also have plenty of time to check out some of the new attractions.
Here are tips and highlights for this year’s fair:
Buy tickets now
Go to idahofair.com to buy tickets. Bingo! You just skipped a line. Tickets are $12 adult, $11 senior 62 and older, $10 child 6 to 11. Kids 5 and younger get in free. Just be aware: You’ll pay a small service fee if you purchase tickets online rather than at the gate. On opening day today, admission is free at the gate from noon to 4 p.m. if you bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the Boise State Food Pantry. One food donation per admission.
Line up early for concerts. (Or don’t)
This year’s shows are Bachman-Turner Overdrive (Monday), Daughtry (Tuesday), Jake Owen (Wednesday), The All-American Rejects (Thursday) and Wynonna Judd (Friday).
Concert gates open at 6:30 p.m. — 90 minutes before the 8 p.m. showtime. 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,” WIF Director Bob Batista says. It’s 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.”
Insider tip: Classic rock and country acts tend to draw the biggest crowds, and Daughtry, All-American Rejects and Wynonna show sold-out reserved and VIP tickets. But the fair is expecting major crowds at all the shows this year.
Park smart
The parking lot and carnival gate on the north side of the fair 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. Even easier: Uber! The Western Idaho Fair’s ride-share line is on the Glenwood Street side of the campus.
Chill after the show
Concerts normally last until around 9:30 p.m. That’s when zillions of Boise folks try to exit. Unless you love slow-moving traffic, don’t be one of them. Take your time. Hop a couple of quick carnival rides after the show. (Carnival wristbands cost $35 in addition to fair admission and are valid for all Butler Amusement rides and the Sky Ride.) Or grab another bite to eat. The fair doesn’t close until 11 p.m.
New faces, old favorites
What’s new this year? Highlights include “Canines in the Clouds” with amazing Frisbee-catching and diving dogs, contortionist and archer Sara Twister in “Ready. Aim. Fire.” and the high-octane comedy of magician Eric Buss.
All those shows happen multiple times throughout the day. Check out the schedule at idahofair.com/schedule.
The same goes for returning favorites such as “Sea Lion Splash,” shredder Patrick Contreras with “Violin on Fire” and hypnotist Chris Mabrey.
New food this year includes Fry Guys (loaded fries), Gordo’s Tacos, Bacon Bacon Bacon and Hot to Tot. And don’t worry: Classic fair dishes such as Pronto Pups and funnel cakes will be available, too.