Words & Deeds

This Boise summer festival ‘has grown every year since 1994.’ Now it’s ending

Break up the drum circle. Turn off the belly dancing music. Slip those tarot cards back into the deck.

You won’t need a psychic reading for this glimpse into the future.

Goddess Fest, a unique but familiar Boise festival for more than three decades, is calling it quits. This year’s summer gathering — held July 26-27 at Expo Idaho’s Rose Garden — was the final one, organizers say.

The announcement was made online in a message addressed to “loyal vendors, volunteers, attendees and supporters.”

“The event has grown every year since 1994 — THANK YOU!” it said in part. “We have made the very hard decision to make Goddess Fest 2025 our last year and end all our amazing events on a high note! As your heart breaks, ours is too — but please remember all of the highlights, good times and friendships and memories made at Goddess Fest over the years. We love and appreciate all who have traveled, sacrificed and contributed in any way and wish you all the best in the years to come!

Held at Expo Idaho this past July, Goddess Fest was free to enter but encouraged donations to the Women’s and Children’s Alliance.
Held at Expo Idaho this past July, Goddess Fest was free to enter but encouraged donations to the Women’s and Children’s Alliance. Goddess Fest/Facebook

“Contributions will be made to organizations throughout the Treasure Valley and the State of Idaho in the name of Goddess Fest. We can’t wait to see and attend any future events that support our local pagan community! May the Goddess bless you and keep you safe throughout all your days and nights.”

Goddess Fest attracted a wide variety of attendees seeking both a spiritual celebration and a shopping destination, thanks to vendors selling clothing and jewelry.

A decade into the cultural event, the Idaho Statesman covered the festival and found “many attractions that offered visitors a way to ease troubles, cast out physical aches and pains and learn more about their futures. There were massage therapists and tarot card readers. Sometimes they were one and the same. People read auras and palms, too. One booth offered information about midwives.”

Held at Julia Davis Park for years, Goddess Fest eventually relocated to Expo Idaho.

Belly dancing has been a staple over the years at Goddess Fest, which used to take place at Julia Davis Park.
Belly dancing has been a staple over the years at Goddess Fest, which used to take place at Julia Davis Park. Statesman file photo

This story was originally published September 23, 2025 at 11:39 AM.

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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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