Boise or Nampa? Here’s where organizers will host Idaho Potato Drop on New Year’s Eve
There had been some doubt about its location, but the famous Idaho Potato Drop will be back at the Capitol in Boise this year on New Year’s Eve.
The event, which involves the lowering of a large potato to ring in the new year, was held in Nampa in 2020 for a small audience because of the COVID-19 pandemic’s restrictions. The ongoing pandemic means there will be rules in place on the event grounds, including a vaccine requirement or proof of a negative COVID-19 test, but not on Boise’s city streets.
The location for the Potato Drop had been up in the air after organizers walked out of a September meeting of the Boise Special Events Team, which approves large events in the city. They refused to specify to Boise officials the number of people estimated to attend the event.
Dylan Cline, the founder of the event, threatened to move the tuber-themed New Year’s celebration to Nampa, citing a lack of respect from Boise in an expletive-laden speech.
But it appears that any bad blood between the city and organizers has calmed. Organizer Sandi Nahas told the Idaho Statesman in an email that the event would be held in downtown Boise, its home from 2013-19.
When asked why he elected the Capitol, Cline said it didn’t feel right hosting an iconic event anywhere else.
“That’s really its home,” he said by phone. “The Idaho State Capitol is in a place where the entire state can celebrate.”
Those planning on making the trip to downtown Boise will face some COVID-related requirements, depending on where they want to go. All attendees on the Capitol Mall grounds will have to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative test, while on-site testing will be made available to 250 VIP guests, Nahas said.
“For VIP, we will offer on-site testing, because they are paying to be in that area,” she said.
The Potato Drop is free otherwise.
Those watching from Bannock, 8th or Jefferson streets, and other areas of downtown, won’t be subject to vaccine or test requirements, and Cline said those areas could see thousands of people gathering.
Masks will be encouraged on the event grounds if social distancing can’t be maintained, Cline said.
Boise Mayor Lauren McLean in September ordered that all permitted events with more than 250 people require attendees to show proof of vaccination or a negative test upon entry, and require masks outdoors if social distancing cannot be maintained. Those rules are still in place and technically apply to the Potato Drop.
Cline said the event has not done as much advertising this year to try to avoid drawing the extremely large crowds seen in previous years.
“We’re not trying to encourage 50,000 people on the ground,” he said.
This story was originally published December 15, 2021 at 3:30 PM.
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