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.
If you're planning to celebrate in Nampa, take note of this: The city's fireworks show is set for Wednesday, July 3. The show will be hosted at the Ford Idaho Center.
Also celebrating America's independence before the Fourth of July is Marsing, with a fireworks show also on Wednesday.
Below is a rundown of what's happening in communities around southwestern Idaho and eastern Oregon to mark Independence Day.
If you plan to celebrate with fireworks on your own, heed these safety reminders from the City of Boise.
KTVB will also be broadcasting the Idaho 4th of July parade from Boise on channel 7, KTVB+ stream, and online.
Boise
- 6 a.m. - 6:45 a.m.: CapEd Read to Rise hot hair balloon display
- 7 a.m. - 10 a.m.: Veteran Entrepreneur Alliance Community Breakfast in Cecil D. Andrus Park
- 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.: Patriotic Program on the State Capitol Steps
- 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: Idaho 4th of July Parade
- Festivities in the park open at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 4.
- 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 Hank FM.
- Leave pets at home.
- Ann Morrison Park will be closed to vehicles all day on Thursday, 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.
Caldwell
- 9 a.m.: Parade in downtown Caldwell
- 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Memorial Park celebration – vendors, car show, food trucks 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.: Vendors Market
- 10 a.m.: Parade lineup at Church of the Nazarene
- 11 a.m.: Parade in downtown Council
- Car show after the parade, between the schools
- 1-4 p.m.: Kids Games
- Fireworks show after dark
Eagle
Eagle Fun Days – July 12 and 13
Market, Wet and Wild Parade, live music, cornhole tournament, car show, Rocky Mountain Oyster Feed, and more
- Friday, July 12- Family Fun Night and Fireworks at Eagle High School
- 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Eagle High School
- Live musical performance by Eagle Theater Company at 7:30 p.m.
- Alcohol-free event
- Saturday, July 13- All Activities
- Merrill Park at 9 a.m., organized by Pulse Running.
- Pancake breakfast provided after race
- Vendors of all kinds will be at City Hall from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Eagle Fun Days SpitFire Tacos and Tequila Car Show in downtown Eagle from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- Wet & Wild Parade at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 13. New parade route this year.
- Cornhole Tournament at Eagle City Hall, with two brackets. 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on July 13.
Emmett
2024 Gem County Independence Day celebration with Fireworks Show
- Activities kick off at 6 p.m. in Emmett at the Gem Island Sports Complex.
- 10:20 p.m. fireworks show
- Full schedule of event listings can be found here.
Garden Valley/Crouch
- 8 a.m.: Flag-raising ceremony at Weilmunster Park
- 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.: Senior Center Breakfast
- 9 a.m.: Garden Valley EMS/ambulance service hosts golf tournament at Terrace Lakes Resort
- 10 a.m.: Children's games begin
- 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.: Soap Box Derby
- 4 p.m.: Duck Race at the bridge
- 6 p.m.: Parade on Middlefork Road
- 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
- Kuna Square - Greenbelt area behind City Hall
- Thursday, July 4, 4-11 p.m.
Marsing
- Wednesday, July 3, 5:30 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
- 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. (Sponsored by D.L. Evans Bank)
- Car show, children's fairway of games open after the parade
- 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; music provided by 101.9 FM The Bull
Meridian
- Thursday, July 4, 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., with food trucks on site starting at 4 p.m.
- Fireworks begin at dusk, roughly 10:20 p.m. They'll be set off from the east side of Meridian Speedway.
Middleton
- 6 - 10 a.m.: Fire Fighters Pancake Breakfast at the Fire Station
- 9 a.m.: Middleton Car Show
- 9 a.m. -2 p.m.: Live music, food trucks, vendors, and bounce houses for kids
- 11 a.m.: Famous Middleton Chamber of Commerce 4th of July Parade
- 12:30 p.m.: Middleton Food Pantry Duck Races
- Dusk: Fireworks at Foote Park
Mountain Home
- Mountain Home 4th of July Celebration at Desert Canyon Golf Course
- Fireworks to begin at dusk, around 10:15 p.m.
Nampa
Wednesday, July 3 at Ford Idaho Center
- Fireworks provided by City of Nampa. The show will begin at dusk, estimated to be around 10:15 p.m.
Placerville
- Breakfast will be served at the Pavilion from 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. on July 6. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children. Please bring cash.
- From 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., there will be a vendor market on the grass in the city center. Cash is appreciated, as cell service is limited.
- Firework show will begin at dusk on July 6.
Star
Thursday, July 4
- 8 a.m.: Firecracker Fun Run at Hunter's Creek Park
- 10 a.m.: Hometown Celebration Parade
- 11:30 a.m.: Grand Old Flag Luncheon at the Star Riverhouse
- 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
- 8 p.m.: Spirit of the Red, White & Blue Concert in front of the U.S. flag at Hunter's Creek.
- 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
- Thursday, July 4, at College of Southern Idaho
- Fireworks start at approximately 10:15 p.m.
- Half-hour firework display is free to the public, and is for all ages.
Ontario, Oregon
Fourth of July Fireworks
- Thursday, July 4, at Malheur County Fairgrounds. Begins roughly at dusk.
Vale, Oregon
- July 2-July 6 in Vale
- Pre-rodeo at 7 p.m.; main performances begin at 8 p.m.
- Suicide Awareness Run on Friday, July 5, at 8 p.m.
Valley County
- July 3-July 5
- Full list of activities can be found here.
- DIY Yard Game Faire is starting at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 4. Then, there will be a Capture the Flag Water War happening from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. DJ Rap Hippy will be spinning records from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. More music to be performed by Free Creatures from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on July 4.
- On July 5, Tamarack Marina is hosting a float and swim party. DJ's will be playing music from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- On July 6, it's all about music and fireworks.
- Ashley Rose Band from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Mike Masse from 2p.m. to 4 p.m., Jeff Crosby from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. and Pixie and the Partygrass Boys will be rocking from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- There will be a shuttle from the Village to the Marina so you can watch the fireworks over the water in Tamarack. Fireworks to begin at 10 p.m.
- Buckaroo Breakfast, July 4 at 7 a.m. at Masonic Lodge, 216 S. Main St.
- Parade at 11 a.m. on Main Street
- Duck Race at 1 p.m. at Kelly's Whitewater Park
- Fireworks at dusk July 4 over Lake Cascade
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