Going to this year’s Potato Drop? What you need to know before celebrating the new year
Editor’s note: This story was updated Dec. 30 with updated information on mask rules.
Those attending Friday’s Idaho Potato Drop to celebrate the new year will have a lot more than fireworks to enjoy — although there will be plenty of those, too.
The famed Potato Drop, which is Idaho’s take on the Times Square celebration in New York, will have a series of free live performances in the hours leading up to the new year. It’s the first time the annual event has returned to the Capitol since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Potato Drop’s events will be located in front of the Capitol between Jefferson and Bannock streets.
The events include multiple bands and musical artists scheduled to take the stage. First will be students of the Boise Rock School, which offers music lessons to aspiring musicians, at 6:15 p.m.
An hour later, the local four-piece bluegrass outfit High Pine Whiskey Yell will perform. The group often incorporates Idaho references into their irreverent and surreal song topics, with such titles as “UFOs of Bonner County” and “Robot Truck Drivers.”
At 8:15 p.m., self-described “country-disco-metal” band The Gov, noted for multiple on-stage characters and costume changes, will perform, followed by psychedelic singer-songwriter Lucid Aisle.
Finishing off the main stage performances will be two singer-songwriters. The first is Ketchum-born country artist Andrew Sheppard. Then Portland-based singer-songwriter Cassandra Lewis will close out the live performances for the night.
Attendees can also check out the Wrestling Club, in which professional wrestlers vie for the “Potato Belt,” from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Another extreme event will be Urban Air, in which professional snowboarders and skiers will show off their skills on a large snow-covered ramp. Members of the public can participate in an open ride on the ramp from 6 to 8 p.m., before the professionals begin their show.
All this leads up to the fireworks show after midnight. Organizer Dylan Cline said this year’s fireworks show will last three times longer than previous iterations.
As with all large events in Boise, the Potato Drop will require the 1,000 people allowed inside the Capitol Mall to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. Cline said organizers will require masks when social distancing cannot be maintained.
City of Boise spokesperson Lana Graybeal said COVID requirements will be mandated at Cecil Andrus Park, as well as the portions of Bannock and Jefferson streets and Capitol Boulevard blocked off for the event. Portable toilets will be available at the southeast corner of Cecil Andrus Park.
Those watching the fireworks show outside the Capitol Mall will not be subject to these requirements. Thousands of people typically gather every year for the Potato Drop.
Weather forecast: In the teens
Those attending the event should plan to bundle up, with temperatures expected to plunge later in the week after multiple days of snow.
Organizer Sandi Nahas said via text on Wednesday that the Potato Drop is not too concerned with the weather forecast. She did not say whether the cold would affect the schedule of events.
“To me, this is absolutely typical weather for New Year’s,” she said.
Weather officials, though, say the cold temperatures will be anything but typical. Sophia Adams of Boise’s National Weather Service said that Friday night will see temperatures average in the low to mid-teens — nearly 20 degrees below normal for Boise.
Adams said the Weather Service does not anticipate snow on Friday night and winds will remain low. She said those attending should make a plan to find places to warm themselves if they expect to be outside for longer than 30 minutes.
A variety of restaurants and bars are located near the mall on Bannock Street and Capitol Boulevard for those needing shelter.
This story was originally published December 30, 2021 at 4:00 AM.
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