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, 246 years later, many of those traditions continue. Here's 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, but they typically start between 10:15 and 10:30 p.m.
As of Wednesday, June 22, this guide continued to be a work in progress. More events will be added. If you know of a good one you don't see here, email us! The address is ktvbnews@ktvb.com.
If you plan to celebrate with fireworks on your own, heed these safety reminders from the Boise Fire Department.
Boise
6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Monday, July 4, in Ann Morrison Park
- Bring a blanket and chairs to the park to enjoy the show.
- Fireworks are scheduled to begin at about 10:15 p.m. They'll be synced to music on 107.1 FM K-HITS.
- Food and drink vendors will be on site; beer and wine available for those 21 and older.
- Outside food and drinks permitted, but glass containers are not allowed, and alcoholic beverages are prohibited within 250 feet of the Boise River Greenbelt.
- Ann Morrison Park will be closed to cars and trucks all day, but people may walk or ride a bike into the park.
- After the fireworks show, Americana Boulevard will be closed for about 45 minutes to allow pedestrians to exit the park. Boise Police officers will assist.
- Prohibited items: Drones, pets, outside fireworks (including sparklers)
Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution ceremony
- 10:15 a.m. July 4 at Idaho State Capitol
- Recognition of the birth of the United States of America
- Display of the original 13 Colonies, introduced in the order they became states and accompanied by a ring of the bell for each state.
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, July 2, at Zoo Boise in Julia Davis Park (last entry at 4 p.m.)
- Celebrate America's 246th birthday, Aldabra tortoise Mr. Mac's 100th birthday and spider monkey Elvis's 60th birthday.
- Zoo parade, entertainment, vendors, games, animal encounters and opportunities to watch zoo animals rip, tear and chew through special toys and treats. Many of the toy-and-treat boxes were hand painted by volunteers on the Larry Gebert Day of Service.
- Admission: $11 general (ages 12-61); $8 for kids 3-11 and seniors 62 and older; free for children 2 and younger. Tickets can be bought online or at the admission gate the day of the event. Annual members get in free with pass and photo ID.
Buhl
- Vendors open in the park at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 3
- Parade 10 a.m. Monday, July 4
- Live music, food and craft vendors, and beer and wine garden
- Fireworks at dusk, Monday, July 4. An anvil firing will precede the fireworks show.
Caldwell
Passion for Patriotism 2022, happening July 4 in Memorial Park
Note: Parts of Memorial Park will be closed Sunday, July 3, to prepare for the July 4 festivities.
- 7 a.m. Caldwell's first-ever Flag Waving 5K
- 7:15 a.m. Li'l Patriots 1K Fun Run (costumes encouraged)
- 9 a.m. Parade
- 10:45 a.m. Opening Ceremonies
- 10:30 a.m. Watermelon contest
- 11 a.m. 5K and Fun Run awards ceremony and finish festival
- 11 a.m. Most Patriotic Bike
- 11:15 a.m. Most Patriotic Dog
- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Vendors, car show, kids activities, Van Slyke Museum open
- Noon to 1 p.m. Wrestle Club
- Noon to 3 p.m. Live Music in the Park -- Reckless Amnesia
- Noon to 3 p.m. Indian Creek Plaza Kids Activities
- Fireworks at dusk
Cascade
Thunder Mountain Days - July 4
- 11 a.m.: Parade on Main Street, "Remember the Past to Build the Future"
- 1 p.m.: Duck Race - Duck drop at Kelly's Whitewater Park, ducks flow to south bridge; spectator viewing along The Strand.
- Fireworks at dusk at Cascade Golf Course
Crouch/Garden Valley
- 8 a.m.: Flag-raising ceremony in Weilmunster Park
- 8 a.m.-11 a.m.: Senior Center breakfast
- 9 a.m.: EMS/Ambulance golf tournament, silent auction, BBQ at Terrace Lakes Resort
- 4 p.m.: Duck race
- 6 p.m.: Parade
- Fireworks show 30 minutes after dusk - launched from Weilmunster Park
Emmett
2022 Gem County Freedom Fest
- Monday, July 4, 4:30 p.m.-11 p.m. at Gem Island Sports Complex
- Gates open at 4:30 p.m.
- Fireworks at 10:20 p.m.
- Food trucks and other vendors will be onsite through the afternoon and evening. You are free to bring your own food and beverage, but glass containers are not permitted.
- Bring chairs and/or blankets.
- No pets, no alcohol, no outside fireworks (including sparklers)
Hailey
- Noon: Hailey Days of the Old West Parade - on Main Street
- 7:30 p.m. (July 2-4): Sawtooth Rangers Days of the Old West Rodeo at Wertheimer Park. Tickets on sale at Hailey Welcome Center and Atkinsons Market locations. July 2 is Family Night -- kids 12 and under are free with a paying adult.
- 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza at dusk - presented by the City of Hailey and Valley Chamber.
McCall
- Free to watch from town or, where allowed, on the lake; Information about McCall Lake Cruises Fireworks Cruise, which gets underway at 9 p.m.
4th of July Fireworks Show! at Tamarack - 8:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m.
Brundage Mountain 4th of July Cat Track 10K/5K Race - 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Free live music at Brundage Mountain in base area - 10:15 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring (in order of appearance) Matt Hopper, Corn Mash and Lucky Tongue.
Melba
Olde Tyme Fourth of July - Theme: "Proud to be an American"
- Fun run: Registration 6 to 6:45 a.m.; start at 7 a.m. (7:15 a.m. for 2-milers)
- Arts & Crafts Fair and concessions open at 9 a.m.
- Parade at 10:30 a.m. -- line-up at 9 a.m., judging at 9:30 a.m. Sponsored by D.L. Evans Bank.
- Car show and children's fairway of games following the parade
- Lunch 11:30 a.m. at Melba Senior Center
- Noon: Antique tractor pull, stage entertainment begins
- Horseshoe pitching 1 p.m.
- Car show award presentation at 2:30 p.m.
- Chicken round-up at 3 p.m.
- Fireworks at dusk by Fireworks America
Meridian
- Monday, July 4, 4:00-10:30 p.m. in Storey Park
- Food trucks onsite 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.: Rusty Dog, Tacos Y Tortas El Paco, and Daisy's Gelati & Frozen Custard.
- Live music 7 p.m. to 10:15 p.m.: Billy Blues Band featuring Michele Eastland and Becky B
- Fireworks launched starting at dusk (approximately 10:20 p.m.) from east side of Meridian Speedway.
- Bark Park will close a half-hour before dark to secure the fireworks safety zone
- Roads in the park will be closed to accommodate the fireworks safety zone.
- Limited parking within Storey Park is reserved for people with disabilities, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- There will be a drop-off zone off Franklin Road.
- You may bring folding chairs, lawn blankets and your own picnic items.
- No personal fireworks or glass containers allowed in Storey Park.
Middleton
- Monday, July 4 at 8 p.m. in Foote Park
- Fireworks will start at dusk
- Food trucks will be at the park
Middleton/Star Firefighters Local 4626 Annual Fourth of July Pancake Feed
- Monday, July 4, 6:30-10:30 a.m.
- Middleton Fire Station 53, 302 E. Main St., Middleton
- $7 for adults; $5 for kids 5 and older, senior adults 65 and older, and veterans & active military; Free for children 4 and younger.
Mountain Home
- Monday, July 4, at approximately 10:15 p.m.
- Desert Canyon Golf Course
- Music on 104.3 WOW Country
- Handicapped and Park and Ride parking on E. 8th N.
Nampa
- Wednesday, June 29, at Ford Idaho Center -- Free admission
- Fireworks begin at dusk over the amphitheater.
- Hip-Hop Youth Festival 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., followed by speakers and more music inside Ford Idaho Center arena
- Featured speaker: Pastor Paul Shulga of the Christian Faith Center Caldwell Campus
- Featured musicians: RandyB Funk; Hill City Church worship band, led by Jake Wright and accompanied by Bradley Goodwin; Crossroads Church (Nampa) Worship Band; Kurtis Hoppie
- Military appreciation, civic awards
- No food or drink, except for baby food and baby bottles, can be brought into the Idaho Center.
- Opened water bottles may be brought to fill in the drinking fountains.
- All lawn chairs must have legs 8 inches or shorter -- no high-back lawn chairs; no camping chairs or blankets.
Malheur County, Oregon (Ontario, Vale and vicinity)
Fourth of July Fireworks at Malheur County Fairgrounds in Ontario - show begins at dusk.
- June 30: Slack at 6 p.m.
- July 1-4: Rodeo - Pre-rodeo at 7 p.m., Main Performance and Grand Entry at 7:45 p.m.
- Parade at 5 p.m. on July 4
Star
- 7 a.m.: Firecracker Fun Run - begins in northwest parking lot of Hunter's Creek Park. Each relay team can have up to five runners. Each leg will take one 1-kilometer lap around the park for 5 km total. Runners and walkers are encouraged to come dressed in your most patriotic attire. $15 entry includes Fun Run T-shirt.
- 9 a.m.: Old Fashioned Pie Contest at Star Riverhouse
- 10 a.m.: Hometown Celebration Parade - West State Street in front of El Mariachi Loco; travels west on State and ends at Star Road.
- 11:30 a.m.: Grand Old Flag Luncheon at Star Riverhouse, provided by Firehouse Subs. Cash donation of $5 requested for Mayor's Youth Scholarship Fund.
- Noon: All American Pie Auction at Star Riverhouse; benefits Star Senior Center
- 3 p.m.: Yankee Doodle Kid's Zone - Hunter's Creek Park. The Star Fire Department will be there to keep things cool with three large water tanks and squirt guns. There also will be bounce houses, slip-and-slides and water obstacle courses. City officials will take turns in a dunk tank to raise money for the Mayor's Youth Scholarship Fund.
- 7 p.m.: Raffle - Tickets sold at all venues. Proceeds go to the Mayor's Youth Scholarship Fund.
- 8 p.m.: Spirit of the Red, White & Blue Concert in front of the U.S. flag at Hunter's Creek - Push to Play will play current pop and classic '80s and '90s favorites.
- 10 p.m.: Mayor Chadwick's address - The mayor will lead an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance and reading of the U.S. Constitution's preamble.
- 10:15 p.m.: Freedom Fireworks Show at Hunter's Creek Park
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