Heads-up, Idaho! September brings hot air balloons, Boise Pride Fest, Art in the Park
Can you believe fall is almost here? Given we broke a record last weekend with our 21st day of 100-degree heat, maybe not.
But September hits us this week, y’all, which means cooler temperatures (probably), cozy clothes and the start of the pumpkin spice craze.
In addition to more comfortable weather, September also brings in some fan-favorite events, as far as the calendar is concerned.
The Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic takes place over Labor Day weekend, Aug. 31 through Sept. 4. Check out morning hot air balloon launches in Ann Morrison Park and enjoy food, vendors and music during the Nite Glow Spectacular on Friday, Sept. 2, which will also include a tribute launch in honor of Larry Gebert at 7:10 a.m.
Fell like a fall festival? Take your pick. The ever-popular Art in the Park is Sept. 9-11 at Julia Davis Park. Celebrate the Boise Pride Festival the same weekend at Cecil D. Andrus Park downtown. Hit up the Hyde Park Street Fair Sept. 16-18 at Camel’s Back Park.
How about some music? The weekly concert series Tuesdays on the Creek (Indian Creek Plaza) and the Open Air Summer series at Ste. Chapelle wrap up this month. New this year, the Flipside Fest at Visual Arts Collective Sept. 23-25 will feature around 50 local and touring bands. (It’s brought to you by the same folks who do Treefort.)
Or get your drink. Oktoberfest at the Nampa Civic Center will be on Sept. 30 for a celebration of German culture, food and music. Feel like a road trip? Head to Sun Valley for the Ketchum Oktoberfest Sept. 16-17 for two days of food, beer, games and more. Your ticket is purchasing a stein, ranging from $6 to $21, depending on the size. Closer to home, the annual Payette Brewing Co. Oktoberfest will take place that same weekend. Cheers!
Lastly, September means football is back! Boise State’s first game is Saturday, Sept. 3, at Oregon State. Prepare to stay up late: Kickoff is 8:30 p.m. Mountain time. The Broncos’ first home game is Saturday, Sept. 17. Prepare to enjoy the afternoon: Kickoff is 2 p.m. at Albertsons Stadium.
Note: Check with event websites or social media before attending. Events might be canceled or postponed after press deadline because of the pandemic, or might have new rules in place regarding masks and proof of vaccination.
Festivals
Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic: Hot air balloon launches are weather-permitting; they typically take place at 7:15 a.m. and last until as late as 9 a.m. Thursday-Sunday, Sept. 1-4, Ann Morrison Park, 1000 S. Americana Blvd., Boise. Festival starts Wednesday, Aug. 31. spiritofboise.com.
Art in the Park: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Sept. 9-10, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, Julia Davis Park, 700 S. Capitol Blvd., Boise. Contemporary arts and crafts, food, hands-on children activities. boiseartmuseum.org/art-in-the-park.
Lowe Family Farmstead: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 4 to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, Sept. 9 through Oct. 29, 2500 S. Eagle Road, Kuna. Corn maze, pumpkin patch, hayrides, u-pick flower field, food, potato sack slide, games, pig races, cow train, more. $20.99 Friday-Saturday, $15.99 Monday-Thursday. Free for ages 3 and younger. 208-922-5678, lowefamilyfarmstead.com.
Boise Pride Festival: 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9 (fireworks show); 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 (parade at 10 a.m.), Cecil D. Andrus Park, 601 W. Jefferson St., Boise. Featuring pop sensation Slayyter, RuPaul’s Drag Race star Gottmik, Australian dance vocalist Vassy, singer-songwriter Greyson Chance, others. Free. boisepridefest.org.
The Haunted World: Dusk to midnight Fridays-Saturdays and dusk to 10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, Sept. 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, 30 and Oct. 1-31, Northside Boulevard and Idaho 20/26, four miles north of the Nampa sugar factory. Features a 35-acre outdoor haunt and a hostel asylum gone wrong (Skullvania). $29 general, $34 for fast-track pass (shorter wait time), $50 skip-the-line pass, free for ages 5 and younger, at the gate or hauntedworld.org.
Hyde Park Street Fair: Friday-Sunday, Sept. 16-18, Camel’s Back Park, Boise. Bands, food vendors, arts and crafts booths, beer in the park in a family-friendly setting. Free. northendboise.org/hyde-park-street-fair.
Ketchum Oktoberfest: 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, and noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, Festival Meadows, 206 Sun Valley Road, Sun Valley. Endless beer, Bavarian inspired food, competitive drinking games, music, more. Your stein is your ticket, which range from $6 to $21. ketchumoktoberfest.com.
Indian Creek Festival: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, Indian Creek Plaza, 120 S. Kimball Ave., Caldwell. Music, cardboard kayak race, car cruise, car show, chalk art contest, and a local marketplace. Free. indiancreekplaza.com/indian-creek-festival.
Music
Open Air Sunday Summer Concert Series: Gates at 11 a.m. and music from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sundays, through Sept. 18, Ste. Chapelle Winery, 19348 Lowell Road, Caldwell. Music, food trucks, local vendors and plenty of wine. $25 general, $20 Ste Chapelle and Sawtooth wine club members. 208-453-7843, ext. 3; stechapelle.com/events.
▪ August bands: The Rock and Soul Revue featuring Jake Blues, Becky B, Dale “Harp Dog” Wilson and The High Beams (Sept. 4); High Street Party Band (Sept. 11); Billy Blues Band w/Michele Eastland and Becky B (Sept. 18)
Tuesdays on the Creek: 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, through Sept. 27, Indian Creek Plaza, 120 S. Kimball Ave., Caldwell. Music by local and touring artists, with locally produced beer and wine. Held in conjunction with Farm to Fork Farmers’ Market. Free. indiancreekplaza.com/tuesdays-on-the-creek.
▪ Bands: Emily Stanton Band (Sept. 6); Summer Dean and Ellie Mae (Sept. 13); Aaron Golay and The Original Sin (Sept. 20); Jeff Crosby and The Refugees (Sept. 27)
Concerts on Broadway: 6:30 p.m. Saturdays, Sept. 10 and 24, Meridian City Hall’s outdoor plaza, 33 E. Broadway Ave. Music by High Street Party Band (Sept. 10) and SoulPatch (Sept. 24). Free. meridiancity.org.
HoeDown: Friday-Saturday, Sept. 16-17, Crooked 8, 1882 E. King Road, Kuna. Featuring nine bands with headliners Claire Dunn (Friday) and Chancey Williams (Saturday), indoor covered bar, food trucks. $85 single day pass, $150 weekend pass. crooked8.com.
Summer Concert Series w/Hoobastank and Lit: idahoconcertseries.com.
▪ Friday, Sept. 16: 7 p.m. at Portneuf Health Trust Amphitheatre, 2375 Olympus Drive, Pocatello. $20-$40.
▪ Saturday, Sept. 17: 7 p.m. at Expo Idaho, 5610 N. Glenwood St., Garden City. $35.
Flipside Fest: Friday-Sunday, Sept. 23-25, Visual Arts Collective, 3638 Osage St., Garden City. Outdoor, multi-venue festival featuring 50ish local and touring bands, live murals by local artists, and immersive on-foot exploration of Surel Mitchell Live-Work-Create district. Headliners include Boise’s very own Built to Spill, Bay Area’s psychedelic soul outfit Monophonics, and LA’s quickly rising Automatic. $89 three-day pass. eventbrite.com. Single-day tickets may be available as the event gets closer.
Spectator Sports
Boise Hawks baseball: Memorial Stadium, 5600 N. Glenwood St., Garden City. $9-$15. 208-322-5000, boisehawks.com.
▪ vs. Grand Junction Rockies: 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday Sept. 1-3
▪ vs. Missoula Paddleheads: 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 5, and 7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, Sept. 6-10
Swimming
Last Splash Weekends: Noon to 7 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, Sept. 10-11 and 17-18 (weather permitting), Roaring Spring Waterpark, 400 W. Overland Road, Meridian. $23 plus tax. Also, 50% off cabana rentals. Reserve at roaringsprings.com/plan/cabana-rentals.
Theater
Idaho Shakespeare Festival’s “The 39 Steps”: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday (no mini-concert series) and 7 p.m. Sunday (no mini-concert), Sept. 2 (preview), 3 (opening night), 4 (family night), 6-11, 13-18 and 20-25, ISF Amphitheater, 5657 Warm Springs Ave., Boise. $40-$56 Fridays-Saturdays, $32-$46 Sundays and Tuesdays-Thursdays. Preview (Sept. 2): $26-$36. Family night (Sept. 4): $14-$46. Any night, $25 students with valid ID. 208-336-9221, idahoshakespeare.org.
Farmers Markets
Boise Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, through Oct. 29, 1500 Shoreline Drive, Boise. theboisefarmersmarket.com.
▪ Drive-thru option: Shop the online store from 7 a.m. Tuesday to 11 p.m. Wednesday, then pick up the order on Saturday during a chosen pickup time window (between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.) at 1500 Shoreline Drive. theboisefarmersmarket.com/bfmdrivethru.
▪ Mobile market: Monday through Thursday, through Sept. 29. Bringing the same fresh local produce found at the BFM to Boise neighborhood locations. Full schedule of stops available at theboisefarmersmarket.com/mobile-market.
Nampa Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, through Oct. 29, Lloyd Square Park, 13th and Front streets. 208-412-3814, nampafarmersmarket.com.
Capital City Public Market: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturdays, through Dec. 17, The Grove Plaza at 8th and Main streets, Boise. capitalcitypublicmarket.com.
Meridian Main Street Market: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, through Oct. 15, Meridian City Hall Plaza, 33 E. Broadway Ave. 208-918-3480, meridianmainstreetmarket.com.
Eagle Saturday Market: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, through Oct. 1, Heritage Park, 185 E. State St., Eagle. 208-489-8763, facebook.com/eaglesaturdaymarket.
Farm to Fork Farmers’ Market: 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, through Sept. 27, Indian Creek Plaza, 120 S. Kimball Ave., Caldwell. indiancreekplaza.com/farm-to-fork-farmers-market.
Emmett Farmers Market: 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, through Oct. 29, Blaser Park, N. Washington Avenue and W. Park Street, Emmett. 208-550-4459, emmettfarmersmarket.com.
Sept. 1
Thursday Thunder: 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 1, Boise Spectrum Center, 7609 W. Overland Road, Boise. Music by Pilot Error. Free. boisespectrumcenter.com.
Shakey Graves: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1, Outlaw Field, Idaho Botanical Garden, 2355 N. Penitentiary Road, Boise. $39.50. Ticketmaster. Opening: Sierra Ferrell.
Kevin Gates: 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1, Revolution Center, 4983 N. Glenwood St., Garden City. $43 general, $175 VIP. Ticketmaster.
Sept. 2
TGIF Summer Concert Series: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept 2, Brundage Mountain, 3890 Goose Lake Road, McCall. Music by Innocent Man. Free. brundage.com/events-calendar.
The Amity Affliction/Silverstein: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2, Revolution Center, 4983 N. Glenwood St., Garden City. $27.50 general, $57.50 VIP. Ticketmaster.
Sept. 3
Greta Van Fleet: 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3, ExtraMile Arena, 1401 Bronco Lane, Boise. $49.50-$79.50. Ticketmaster.
Sept. 6
Tuesdays on the Terrace: 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, The Ludwig Terrace, 1117 E. Lake St., McCall. Music by Hillfolk Noir and on-site food truck. Free. ponderosacenter.org/events.
Sept. 7
Gary Numan: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7, Knitting Factory, 416 S. 9th St., Boise. $29.50 general ($33 door), $60-$75 reserved balcony. Ticketmaster. Special guests: I Speak Machine.
Sept. 9
Morgan Wallen: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater, 16200 N. Idaho Center Blvd., Nampa. $49.50-$299.50. fordidahocenter.com.
Sept. 10
Boise Phil Community Concert: 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, Bogus Basin, 2600 N. Bogus Basin Road, Boise. Free. 208-344-7849, boisephil.org.
Taste of Caldwell Harvest Festival: 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, Indian Creek Plaza, 120 S. Kimball Ave., Caldwell. Idaho chefs will be serving up bite-sized dishes featuring local ingredients paired with beer or wine. Also, music, vendors, and Chicken Drop Bingo. $35 or $25 for a non-alcoholic tasting. indiancreekplaza.com/taste-of-caldwell-harvest-festival.
Korn/Evanescence: 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater, 16200 N. Idaho Center Blvd., Nampa. $29.50-$99.50. fordidahocenter.com. Opening: Dana Denata.
Bear Grillz: 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, Revolution Center, 4983 N. Glenwood St., Garden City. $23 general, $33 VIP. Ticketmaster.
Sept. 11
Dave Ramirez: 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, Kin, 999 W. Main St., Boise. $20 advance, $25 at the door. kinboise.com/calendar.
Sept. 13
JUMP Jam & Jive Summer Concert Series: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13, JUMP, 1000 W. Myrtle St., Boise. Music by Dusty Leigh w/Idaho Songwriters. Free. jumpboise.org/jump-jam-and-jive.
Bowling for Soup/Less Than Jake: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13, Knitting Factory, 416 S. 9th St., Boise. $29.50 general ($30 door), $70-$80 reserved balcony. Ticketmaster. Special guest: Keep Flying.
Sept. 14
Flogging Molly/The Interrupters: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater, 16200 N. Idaho Center Blvd., Nampa. $39.50 first 200 sold, $45 general ($49.50 door). fordidahocenter.com. Opening: Tiger Army & the Skints.
Sept. 15
Agnostic Front/Sick of It All: 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, Knitting Factory, 416 S. 9th St., Boise. $20-$50. Ticketmaster.
Sept. 16
Boise Contemporary Theater’s Gala Celebration: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, 854 Fulton St., Boise. Music, auction, beer and wine. 208-331-9224, bctheater.org/gala.
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.
Sept. 17
Boise State Broncos football vs. UT Martin: 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, Albertsons Stadium, 1400 Bronco Lane, Boise. $45-$69 general, $30-$45 junior. Group discounts available. 208-426-4737, broncosports.com.
Sept. 19
Sabaton: 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19, Revolution Center, 4983 N. Glenwood St., Garden City. $32.50 general ($35 door), $62.50 VIP. Ticketmaster.
Sept. 20
LANY: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater, 16200 N. Idaho Center Blvd., Nampa. $35-$69.50. fordidahocenter.com. Opening: Surfaces.
Sept. 21
Foreigner: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21, Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater, 16200 N. Idaho Center Blvd., Nampa. $38.50-$96.50. fordidahocenter.com.
Jackson Browne: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21, Outlaw Field, Idaho Botanical Garden, 2355 N. Penitentiary Road, Boise. $85. Ticketmaster.
Sept. 22
Hackers & Slackers: Shotgun start at 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, Eagle Hills Golf Course, 605 N. Edgewood Lane. Four-person scramble will benefit the Eagle 616 Lions Club and the Star Lions Club. Register at charitygolftoday.com/hackersslackers.
Sept. 24
St. Luke’s FitOne: 5k at 9:30 a.m., 10k at 7:30 a.m. and half marathon at 7:15 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, Capitol Boulevard and Bannock Street, Downtown Boise. Registration fees vary. Portion of proceeds benefits St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital. fitoneboise.org.
Hops and Crops Festival: 1 to 6 p.m. Sept. 24, Indian Creek Plaza, 120 S. Kimball Ave., Caldwell. Tour local hop farms in Canyon County then sample the bounty of their harvest back at the plaza with a variety of local brews and ales. indiancreekplaza.com/hops-and-crops-festival.
Flywheel Fest: 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, JUMP, 1000 W. Myrtle St., Boise. An agricultural fest filled with a special collection of vintage tractors, carnival games, a scavenger hunt, food trucks, animals, music, and prizes. Free. jumpboise.org.
Sept. 25
Old Time Farm Day: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, Schick-Ostolasa Farmstead, 5006 W. Farm Court, Boise. Celebrate Idaho’s farming past with a harvest festival featuring children’s activities, demonstrations of 1860s life, music, food, lawn games, animals, displays, tours of the Farmstead, and a performance of historical characters from the Farmstead’s history. Proceeds go to support and restore The Farmstead. $8 per person or $30 per family, free for children younger than 3. drycreekhistory.org.
Home Free: 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, Egyptian Theatre, 700 W. Main St., Boise. $39.50, $49.50 and $64.50. Ticketmaster. All price levels will increase $3.50 on the day of show. Special guest: Maggie Baugh.
Sept. 26
The Midnight: 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 26, Knitting Factory, 416 S. 9th St., Boise. $27.50 general ($30 door), $65-$75 reserved balcony. Ticketmaster. Special guests: The Nightly.
Sept. 27
Odesza: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater, 16200 N. Idaho Center Blvd., Nampa. $39.50 first 1000 sold, $45 second 1000, $49.50 general, ($55 door), $69.50 premium ($75 door). fordidahocenter.com. Special guests: Sylvan Esso, Elderbrook, Nasaya.
Sept. 29
The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys: 7 p.m. Sept. 29, Ironwood Bar & Grill, 5467 N. Glenwood St., Garden City. $22 advance, $25 at the door. idahobluegrassassociation.org. Opening: Dry Buck.
Sept. 30
Boise Basin Quilters’ Treasures of the Valley Quilt Show: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, Expo Idaho, 5610 N. Glenwood St., Garden City. Professionally judged quilt show with hundreds of traditional, modern, and art quilts, as well as exhibits and shopping. $10 for one day, $15 for two-day pass (show continues Saturday, Oct. 1), at the door. Free for children 6 and younger. boisebasinquilters.org.
Oktoberfest: 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, Nampa Civic Center, 311 3rd St. S. German food, beer, music by Boise Valley Edelweiss Band, axe throwing, petting zoo, and games, such as Brat Shot, Mug Holding Contest, Beer Stein Race and more. $7 first 100 tickets sold and $10 after (both prices include one free drink token), $12 at the door (no free drink). Prost! Package is $35, includes a 16 oz glass beer stein, two free drink tokens and a brat. Or buy a commemorative beer stein for $15 (limit of 100) and get discounts on beer. nampaciviccenter.com/events/oktoberfest.
Rufus Du Sol: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater, 16200 N. Idaho Center Blvd., Nampa. $39.50-$69.50. fordidahocenter.com. Opening: Paraleven.