BOISE, Idaho — The day commemorating independence for the United States of America "ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever more," future President John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, in 1776.
Now, 247 years later, many of those traditions continue and some new ones have taken hold. Among the new local events this year is a fireworks and food truck rally in Kuna. That's in addition to the annual Kuna Days event, scheduled this year for Aug. 4-5. In Boise, the Fourth of July Parade is happening for the first time since 2019.
If you're planning to celebrate in Nampa, take note of this: The city's fireworks show is set for Wednesday, June 28. As in years past, they'll launch from the Ford Idaho Center at the end of the God and Country Festival.
Also celebrating America's independence before the Fourth of July is Marsing, with a fireworks show on July 3.
Below a rundown of what's happening in communities around southwestern Idaho and eastern Oregon to mark Independence Day. Start times for fireworks displays tend to be fluid, and are often listed as starting at "dusk," but they typically start between 10:15 and 10:30 p.m.
If you plan to celebrate with fireworks on your own, heed these safety reminders from the Boise Fire Department.
Boise/Garden City
Idaho Fourth of July Parade - Live from Boise
- Tuesday, July 4
- Starts at 10 a.m. – Starts and ends at 11th and Jefferson streets; heads east on Jefferson to 4th Street, down to Bannock, turns back toward Jefferson at 11th.
- Theme: “Honoring our Founding Fathers and Mothers”
- Parade marshals: David Barrett Family
- Parade announcers: Former Idaho Gov. Butch Otter and former Idaho First Lady Lori Otter.
- Before parade, hear a reading of Declaration of Independence in front of the Idaho State Capitol at 9:17 a.m.
- Pancake breakfast: 7 a.m. in Cecil D. Andrus Park – Veteran Entrepreneur Alliance (sponsored by Albertsons)
- CapEd Read to Rise hot-air balloon launch from Capitol at 7 a.m.
- Tuesday, July 4
- Festivities in the park open at 6 p.m.
- Food and drink vendors in the park; beer and wine available for purchase for those 21 and older.
- Fireworks show starts at dusk (about 10:15 or 10:20 p.m.); synced to music on 107.1 K-HITS.
- Leave pets at home.
- Ann Morrison Park will be closed to vehicles all day on Tuesday, July 4. People are encouraged to ride-share, walk or bike into the park.
- ADA parking is offered for people with accessibility placards; use the Ann Morrison Drive entrance near the softball fields.
- No parking on Crescent Rim from sunrise to 11 p.m. on July 4.
- Crescent Rim will be closed to traffic starting at 6 p.m. People who live within the closure area will be allowed access until 9 p.m. Police will close the road completely for the duration of the fireworks show.
- Street closures are at Crescent Rim & Latah and Crescent Rim & Eastover Terrace.
- Friday, June 30; Saturday July 1; Sunday, July 2 at Memorial Stadium, 5600 N. Glenwood Street, Garden City
- More fireworks dates and other Boise Hawks baseball information here.
Caldwell
- 7 a.m.: 1K and 5K Fun Run at Fairview Golf Course
- 9 a.m.: Parade in downtown Caldwell
- 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Memorial Park celebration – vendors, car show, food trucks and more
- 5-9 p.m.: Fun on the 4th on Indian Creek Plaza, Kimball Avenue and Arthur Street. Among the activities are splash pads, dunk tank, foam pit and more.
- Fireworks at dusk in Brothers Park
Council
- 7-10 a.m.: Council Chamber of Commerce Breakfast at Legion Hall
- 8 a.m.: Flag raising ceremony in City Park
- 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Makers Market
- 10 a.m.: Parade lineup at Church of the Nazarene
- 11 a.m.: Parade in downtown Council
- Directly after the parade is the World Famous Porcupine Race!
- Car show after the parade, between the schools
- 1-4 p.m.: Kids Water Obstacle Park at the Library Park
- Fireworks show after dark
Eagle
Eagle Fun Days – July 7 and 8
Market, Wet and Wild Parade, live music, cornhole tournament, car show, Rocky Mountain Oyster Feed, and more
- 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Friday, July 7 – Steven C. Guerber Park
- 8 p.m. Friday: Gates open for the Eagle Fun Days Fireworks Show at Eagle Island State Park; fireworks around 10:20 p.m.
- 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, July 8 – Downtown Eagle; Eagle Fun Days Wet and Wild Parade starts at 1 p.m.
Emmett
2023 Gem County Freedom Fest with Independence Day Fireworks Show
- Tuesday, July 4, at Gem Island Sports Complex
- Gates open and live music begins at 7 p.m.
- Food booths and vendors
- Fireworks at 10:20 p.m.
- You are free to bring your own food and beverage, but no glass containers, no alcohol, no pets and no sparklers. Bring your own chairs.
Garden Valley/Crouch
- 8 a.m.: Flag-raising ceremony at Weilmunster Park
- 9 a.m.: Garden Valley EMS/ambulance service hosts golf tournament, silent auction and barbecue at Terrace Lakes Resort
- 10 a.m.: Children's games begin. "We are bringing back the Soap Box Derby Races this year!"
- 4 p.m.: Duck Race. You can purchase a duck at Garden Valley Properties, Garden Valley Homes and Land, and at the Saturday Farmer's Market.
- 6 p.m.: Parade. There are two parts: Dry and wet. There is a 5-minute break between the two.
- Fireworks show 30 minutes after dusk.
Homedale
- Parade 9-10 a.m.
- Believe Pulling Truck Pulls: Noon to 4 p.m.
- Homedale Lions Club annual 4th of July Demolition Derby: Gates open at 4:30 p.m.; grand entry at 5:30 p.m.
- Fireworks at approximately 10:30 p.m.
Kuna
- Along the Greenbelt
- Tuesday, July 4, 7-11 p.m.
Marsing
- Monday, July 3, 5 p.m. to midnight
- Marsing Island Park, 101 First Ave. W.
- Fireworks shortly after 10 p.m. along the Snake River
- Prior to the fireworks, the Marsing Lions Club will serve barbecue and there will be family activities in the park.
Melba
- Theme: The American Way
- Morning fun run: Registration opens at 6 a.m.; start time 7 a.m. (7:15 a.m. for two-mile run)
- 9 a.m.: Arts and crafts and concessions open; parade lineup
- Parade at 10:30 a.m.
- Car show, children's fairway of games open after the parade
- Antique tractor pull and stage events begin at noon; car show awards presented at 2:30 p.m.
- Melba's Citizen of the Year honored at 1 p.m.
- Chicken round-up at 3 p.m.
- Fireworks at dusk; show presented by Fireworks America
Meridian
- Tuesday, July 4, 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., with food trucks on site starting at 4 p.m.
- Fireworks begin at dusk. They'll be set off from the east side of Meridian Speedway.
Middleton
- 9 a.m.-2 p.m.: Block party in Middleton Place Park -- Vendors (including food), bounce houses, axe throwing, cornhole tournament, face painting, watermelon-eating contest, live music and car show. (Schedule here)
- 11 a.m.: Parade -- "Land of the Free in 2023" on Main Street
- Fireworks at dusk in Foote Park
Mountain Home
- Mountain Home 4th of July Celebration at Carl Miller Park
- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 4
- Music, vendors, food trucks, pony rides, petting zoo and car show.
Nampa
Wednesday, June 28: God and Country Festival at Ford Idaho Center Amphitheatre
- Gates open at 5:30 p.m.; program begins at 6:30 p.m.
- Honors veterans and current military.
- Featured speaker: Daniel Gil, seven-time national finalist and Season 12 Champion of "American Ninja Warrior." He's scheduled to speak at 8:40 p.m.
- Music: Refresh Church Worship Band at 7:45 p.m., Honi Deaton and Revival Road at 9:10 p.m.
- Fireworks provided by City of Nampa. The show will begin at dusk, estimated to be around 10:15 p.m.
Star
Tuesday, July 4
- 8 a.m.: Firecracker Fun Run starts in northwest parking lot of Hunter's Creek Park. Each relay team can have up to five runners. Each leg will take one lap around the park for 5 kilometers total.
- 9 a.m.: Old Fashioned Pie Contest
- 10 a.m.: Hometown Celebration Parade. Check-in begins at 9 a.m. Parade starts on West State Street in front of El Mariachi Loco, travels west, ending at Star Road.
- 11:30 a.m.: Grand Old Flag Luncheon at the Star Riverhouse. Lunch provided by Firehouse Subs; $5 cash donation requested, with proceeds going to Mayor's Youth Scholarship Fund.
- Noon: All-American Pie Auction at Star Riverhouse. Fundraiser for Star Senior Center.
- 3 p.m.: Yankee Doodle Kid's Zone at Hunter's Creek Park. The Star Fire Department will be there to keep things cool with three large water tanks and squirt guns. Also on site will be bounce houses, slip-and-slides and water obstacle courses.
- 7 p.m.: Raffle for Mayor's Youth Scholarship Fund. The Mayor's Youth Council will be selling tickets throughout the day.
- 8 p.m.: Spirit of the Red, White & Blue Concert in front of the U.S. flag at Hunter's Creek. Music by Push to Play, a local cover band playing current pop and classic '80s and '90s favorites.
- 10 p.m.: Mayor Chadwick's Address. The Star mayor will lead invocation, Pledge of Allegiance and reading of the preamble to the U.S. Constitution.
- 10:15 p.m.: Freedom Fireworks Show at Hunter's Creek Park
Twin Falls
- Tuesday, July 4, at College of Southern Idaho
- Fireworks start approximately 10:15 p.m.
- Twin Falls Police Dept. will close North College Road from Fillmore Street to Washington Street at 9 p.m. The road will remain closed until the fireworks show has ended.
Ontario, Oregon
Independence Day Fireworks
- Tuesday, July 4, at Malheur County Fairgrounds
- Fireworks begin at about 10:20 p.m.
Vale, Oregon
- July 1-4, 2023, at Vale Rodeo Grounds
- Pre-rodeo at 7 p.m.; main performances begin at 8 p.m.
Valley County
- Fireworks July 1 at around 10:30 p.m. — Display from Tamarack Waterfront on Lake Cascade, also viewable from The Village at Tamarack.
- Peloton Parade Saturday, July 1 at 10 p.m. (before the fireworks): "Bring your bikes for a pedal-powered parade and bike down the road to the Tamarack Waterfront for a great view of the fireworks!"
- Human Hamster Ball Race and Music, noon Sunday, July 2 — Along with the races, enjoy yard games and a live DJ.
- Mixology classes, guided hikes and morning yoga sessions
- Live music: Several artists, times, locations. Check calendar here.
- All Tamarack Resort summer activities, including daily lift operations, are open.
- July 1-July 4
- Movie by the Lake: "Top Gun: Maverick," July 3 at dusk
- Yoga in the Park, 10 a.m. July 4 at the Legacy Park Sundial
- Volleyball tournament, 10 a.m. July 4 on the Legacy Park sandcourt
- Fireworks display at dark, July 4, Legacy Park
- Buckaroo Breakfast, July 4 at 7 a.m. at Masonic Lodge, 216 S. Main St.
- Parade July 4 at 11 a.m. on Main Street; barbecue to follow at American Legion/Armstrong Park
- Duck Race July 4 at 1 p.m. at Kelly's Whitewater Park
- Fireworks at dusk July 4 over Lake Cascade
Weiser
- Community breakfast 8-10 a.m. at City Park on Court Street
- Veterans March: Lineup at 10:30 p.m.; march starts at 11 a.m. heading to Veterans Park
- Fireworks at approximately 10:30 p.m.
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