We had an amazing afternoon of great food and even better music! I look forward to being able to…read moreattend again.

Ok. Let me just say this.... One vendor is NOT a BBQ festival! Music is very good, but the "Bones"…read morepart needs some working on. I had the mindset coming here there would be several people Q'n it up to fill up an 8 hour event of music and eating. Although the pulled pork I ordered was tasty, serving it with Sweet Baby Rays, a product I can buy off the shelf, was not what I had expected. I can see some great potential with this event. Not sure how many years this has run, but I do hope next time they add more to the BBQ side of things. Surely there must be some other BBQ enthusiasts around the treasure valley who want to showcase their talents at an event like this. There was one lucky find having bought two bottles off of a local Q sauce maker. Can't wait to Go home and grill something up to enjoy his creation.

We loved Lowe Family Farmstead so much last year that we bought a season pass this time around…read more It's such a fun atmosphere and there's so much to do if you really soak it all in. Luckily, we live fairly close so there have been a few times this season my husband and I would just stop in for dinner, walk around, and leave. Now, I will acknowledge that it may not be the cheapest option. But we picked up a few gift cards from our local Costco and used them to buy both of our season passes AND food. The season pass also comes with a coupon book that we use almost every time. So if you need a money saving hack, there it is! We also learned about Dog Day this year (since pups aren't normally allowed at the farm) and it was so much fun! Our favorite little food spot is The Smokehouse. You can catch us with a Cowboy Potato and Roasted Corn almost every single time. The only downside is they're not open during the day. My husband also loves the apple cider donuts from the Orchard Stop. Everyone is so friendly and it's such a fun vibe. I definitely recommend checking it out. I wish the season was more than just a couple of months.

Extremely disappointed with the poor customer service here. My wife and child are new season pass…read moreholders but never received a welcome booklet explaining their perks. Right after I paid full price for my admission, the ticket agent asked my wife if she wanted to use her free "buddy pass." I literally just swiped my card a minute prior, but they refused to honor the pass or refund my money. Total lack of flexibility and common sense. It completely ruined our family day out. Frontline staff should be empowered to do the right thing and take care of their customers.

Treefort is a music festival, but it's so much MORE than just music. At first glance, you may think…read morethat it's just a bunch of music lovers hanging out in a park, listening to up-and-coming bands as well as a few better known groups. But then you start to hear about all the "forts" around town that draw in other interests. Yoga fort. Alefort. Comedyfort. Hackerfort. And some of those don't require a wristband at all-they are free and open to the public. If you're here to listen to the music, you definitely need the wristband-that's what gets you access to the park with the stages. However, since some of the ancillary activities are pubic, do a little research ahead and find out which events you can attend for free and which require a pass. I found myself spending the majority of time at Hackerfort (public) and the Yogafort (pass required). You can buy passes to individual forts, but the a la cart option will add up if you do several of those. Many of the local businesses partner with Treefort and host smaller events or performers-I love that! It gives me a chance to get outside the park and see what Boise really has to offer. And there's lots. The branding for Treefort is very hipster/creative and is all over town. I love that there's something for everyone here-whether you're a die hard music fan, a yoga enthusiast or LGBTQ+ you'll find something of interest at Treefort. I just wish the weather would have cooperated this year. Perhaps in years past, it was not so bad-but 2023 was COLD.

A music festival is more than the music acts performing. It's really a little community that forms…read morefor a few days, each with a unique culture. Treefort is a surprisingly friendly and eclectic sea of lumberjack hipsters, Patagonia jacketed folk, and rainbow glittered festiv-elles mixing to make a super unusual festival that somehow really works? The ratio of gorgeous drag queens to long bearded and plaid flannel sporting crowd is low, but bizarrely delightful. I really noticed how kind this festival's culture was! The music was really all over the spectrum. Really enjoyed Liz Phair, one of the headliners. However, it was a joy to listen to a lot of the smaller names before attending to try to schedule which I wanted to hear. My absolute favorite discovery was the hilarious punk/pop Caroline Rose. She and her band seemed to draw a bigger crowd then even the headliners... IN THE RAIN! I think there were about 500 bands/DJ's performing this year. The Main Stage had the headliners and big hitters, including some stand up comics. This area requires a wristband to enter, while most of them do (except Kidsfort). A lot of the performances are in bars, outdoor smaller stages, and other community buildings scattered downtown. Across from the Main Stage, there is a great Kidsfort area on Saturday and Sunday that has all sorts of fun stuff for small tots all the way up to preteens. Crafts, free snacks, cardboard box fort cities being built lovingly by little guys. Even tot friendly bands. A block up from that, there is the Alefort. Most everyone has an aluminum mug carabiner clipped to theirselves. This is required in the Alefort Tent, and you buy tokens for $3.50 a piece to use at the 20+ beer/cider vendors. There are beer/cider vendors in the Main Stage area too. This festival is extremely vegan friendly. I'd say probably 70% of the food trucks had vegan options. Also, lots of friendly pups out and about in the streets between the different forts. Spring in Boise means wearing layers. There was a fair amount of rain, but the Main Stage had lots of cover for anyone bothered by it. Wear some really comfy shoes too, because you are going to put in miles trekking between one stage to the next over the course of the day through the evening. For serious music fans, you may be slightly overwhelmed to try to schedule all the artists you want to catch. Luckily the Treefort App makes this easy, and bonus for it letting you share your plans with all your friends. Tip: For any artist you have on your schedule that will be performing in a bar, be sure to get there at least an hour to 90 minutes early to get yourself in the door. We saw many long lines of people just trying to get into the doors of these bars. Lastly, there is amazing community support for this festival in Boise. You will see signs up in businesses and window art left and right downtown. A great community event with tons of sponsorship. Can't wait to attend again!

2025 was our first year attending the Idaho Potato Drop and we absolutely loved it. There was some…read moregood vendors to visit, a few food trucks (would love to see more), but those fireworks were just absolutely outstanding and incredible. Seriously, some of the best fireworks we have ever seen anywhere (and yes, that includes DISNEY!). We were really blown away and it will bring us back again. Great job!

Free and charitable event! Live music, Urban Air exhibition and Fireworks!!!…read moreDress warm and it is fun for the whole family!!!

There seems to be a general lack of understanding about the Basque Center in Boise - certainly…read moreamong non-Basques. The Basque Center was built in 1949 and is a gathering place for Basque people in the area as well as non-Basques. It is available for rent and it has a huge kitchen in the basement for catering events. This past Saturday in support of the Basque Block Christmas Market, the Center featured the Basque music group, Txantxangorriak, and performances by Boiseko Gazteak, which teaches traditional Basque dance children from 4 to 13 years of age. It was a lively afternoon of traditional music and dance while the largely Basque crowd cheered and appreciated the show of talents. The Center is open to the public and non-Basques should not be intimidated to enter the bar for a good strong drink at a really low price. Be mindful that the Center is closed Monday, serves drinks after 3 pm Tues-Thur and has extensive hours Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Center is celebrating the 93rd Sheepherders Ball on Saturday, December 17th with a dinner that is currently sold out. After the dinner, the Oinkari Dancers (ages 14 and above) will perform at 8:00 PM, followed by a lamb auction which raises funds for the Basque Charities account. The dance, featuring the popular band "Amuma Says No", will begin after the lamb auction. The cost of admission to the dance is $5 for adults and children under 12 are admitted for free.

Pretty amazing little place! If you haven't popped your head in, you probably should. It always has…read morea perfect amount of people. Two's a party, three's a crowd. I am not sure what the scene looks like on most days but closer to the end of the week there are several people on the patio and in the bar. Come with friends or plan to pick up a conversation at the bar with someone you don't know. Friendly place!

I would like to start by saying that this was easily, hands-down, the best beer festival I've ever…read morebeen to (and this ain't my first rodeo). For me, personally, it was amazing for a few different reasons. There was the game element (yeah, nobody knew what they were drinking until after 7 p.m.; the event started at 4), the fact that beer is, indeed, a social lubricant (leading to so much good conversation with strangers), great food, music, games, proximity to 10 Barrel and some of the best beer-appreciating folks in Boise. To begin with, the tastings were divided into four (or was it five?) states, but were only identified as "State 1," "State 2," etc. Each tap was assigned a number, so you had a lot of folks running around and asking each other, "Did you like 19?" "No, but 17 was incredible!" At first glance, I thought this was a lame gimmick. Boy, oh, boy, I couldn't have been more wrong. It kept us interested and forced us to really taste each beer thoughtfully. Not to brag, but wifey and I guessed #1 (Ballast Point's Grapefruit Sculpin), which meant we knew State 1 was California. We also totally called the fact that State 3 was Oregon, with its piney, citrusy, almost juicy hops. This was an IPA-lover's dream-come-true. It was so epic and beautiful, and I'm really just talking about the beer itself. Next, the company we found ourselves in was seriously epic. As we entered, a gentleman (purveyor of Sandpoint's own Pour Authority) approached me and asked if I was from Portland, since he saw my Rogue t-shirt with the silhouette of OR state on it. This led to a lively conversation about beer across the PAC NW and an invitation to sample at his establishment. I really appreciated how he continued to check in with us, provide recommendations and feedback, and generally share in the friendly company of he and his wife. We also met Nick, a beer enthusiast who'd already been to the Oktoberfest that day (it was a little lame, apparently) and who spoke to us about the tribulations of being a seriously-beer-loving parent and also Star Wars films, new and old. My wife and I, who met at Whittier College, met a gentleman who attended during two of the years we were actually there. I met a fellow Caldwell School District employee that I'd never met before, and in that way got to "network" a little bit (nice to meet you, Ms. K). I cannot overemphasize how friendly and genuine these people were. Of course, there were the obligatory "grown ass" adults (yes, men and women) who were fine with cutting in line. Remember fourth grade, guys? "No cuts, no butts, no coconuts." However, you have these people at any beer festival and I'm sure they're already aware that there is a special circle in hell for people who cut in line. Overall, it was an outstanding experience and the single best-organized event I've ever attended in the state of Idaho, which includes the gigantic Barley Bros. beer fests that used to take place at Anne Morrison and Kleiner Park. The food looked great (sorry, we'd eaten beforehand, but there were finger steaks, pulled pork sammies and pizza by the slice); the staff was incredibly friendly, helpful and funny; the event was just seriously well-coordinated. The beer was amazing; we didn't dislike a single thing we tried and pretty much loved most of the brews. Maybe the most underrated part of this event was the cost: $5 for a glass (not the crappy, plastic ones we've received at other festivals, but a legit tulip glass with the odd Beer Wars guy logo) and $1 per 4 oz. taste! That equates to a $4 pint, a good deal anywhere for craft deliciousness, and you don't have to drink like a fiend. My wife and I actually split all of our tastes, so we could try everything and still make it home. I wish this was a regular event, so I could say, "Check it out!" I can only hope this happens again next year, but at that time, I won't be recommending you go (more beer and open space for me). Ten Barrel, I salute you and your crafty ways.

Leave your bah-humbuggery at the door and let the holidays begin! We had so much fun at the Boise…read moreChristmas Show. You cannot help but get into the seasonal spirit with all the lovely holiday-themed merchandise, jolly music playing in the background, cinnamon and apple wafting through the air, and Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus there to welcome in the season. We wandered from booth to booth and found the most unusual gift ideas (manly wool kilts with your favorite sports team logo, anyone? With manly guys modeling them too...I wonder if they are included) I bought some cool Christmas ornament earrings, amazingly smooth, salt-caramel fudge ("Blue Moose"), and stocking stuffer gifts for everyone on my list. As a new arrival to the area I am obsessed with anything in the shape of Idaho state. I found Idaho cutting boards, earrings, handmade scarves, and ornaments. You have your choice of many "potato" themed gifts as well. I so appreciate the handmade tradition and fear that many of these crafts may disappear. It is also one of the few truly family-oriented activities that has something for everyone. That is why it is so important to attend these events and support local artisans. My one suggestion is to eliminate those "informational" types of booths that are not holiday or gift themed (ie: booths selling siding, windows, floor cleaners, etc.) They made up most of the center area and we just kind of bypassed them...you can find these products and services at other events.

My wife and I have been attending events hosted by the Idaho Renaissance Faire since 2018 and we…read morecan safely say it has been one of our favorite outings and preferred dates. The group that hosted these events are always so joyful and lively. There's always things to do and a little something for everyone. As one can expect from a nice Renaissance Faire the entertainment types can vary from archery, fire dancers, belly dancers, armored knights, costumes characters, and browsing the vendors. Many vendors sell various handicrafts, foods, and souvenirs to make the weekend getaway memorable. This events usually have a maypole, king and queen, opening ceremony, and lots of shade since the are often hosted at the Kuna Greenbelt Park with the exception of Beltane which was at Expo Idaho. The group that runs these events are very dedicated and host memorable experiences that's perfect for the family. Be sure to check their website and see when they're in town next. Huzzah!

Dirt wind storm. Flat dirt field. Literally everything, all the vendors products was coated in…read moredirt. The turkey legs were frozen in the middle. The mead was $20 a glass - the rip off of the century. I know the suppliers, they've supplied for our events at about $3 a glass whole sale. Why are they up charging $17 a glass? Half the vendors are ai or 3d printed- absolute crap. This was so disappointing me and my kids were looking forward to this for weeks. Horrible. Literally horrible.