5 things to do this weekend in Boise: Free Fry Day, Criterium, ‘2 hours of stupidity’
With temperatures reaching the mid-90s, this weekend will be warm in Boise.
Fortunately, the entertainment calendar is packed with tons of cool events.
See cyclists zoom
Some of the best cycling teams in America will compete downtown during the free, 35th annual Boise Twilight Criterium on Saturday. Action happens throughout the day, but excitement peaks in the evening when the pro women and pro men races happen — after a 6:45 p.m. opening ceremony. For the full spectator experience, head to the Twilight Fan Expo in Cecil D. Andrus Park across Jefferson Street from the Idaho State Capitol. You’ll find food and drink for sale (yes, beer), cycling organization booths, seats with a view of the start/finish line, and more.
Free fries, free bands
Speed-demon cyclists aren’t enough to get you downtown? How about free french fries? Simplot’s Free Fry Day will be held as part of the Twilight Trifecta Kickoff Celebration. It’s from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at JUMP, 1000 W. Myrtle St. You’ll enjoy free fries and sliders from 4 to 7 p.m., plus a concert by Colorado bluegrass band Head for the Hills with openers The Pan Handles from 5 to 8 p.m. In addition, JUMP will showcase the 3-D Basque Museum photo exhibit in the lobby from 4 to 8 p.m. The Twilight Criterium bar will be open with beer and wine for sale. Proceeds from the kickoff celebration support The Idaho Foodbank and Twilight Criterium.
Do a concert
▪ Slightly Stoopid: 6 p.m. Friday, Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater, 16200 N. Idaho Center Blvd., Nampa. $35-$45 general ($49.50 door), $65 premium. fordidahocenter.com. Special guests: Pepper, Common Kings, Fortunate Youth.
▪ The Mighty Red Melons: Tribute to Merle Haggard and Buck Owens. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Visual Arts Collective, 3638 Osage St., Garden City. $28-$42 at eventbrite.com.
▪ Zoso: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience: 8 p.m. Friday, Knitting Factory, 416 S. 9th St., Boise. $20 general ($22 door), $50-$60 reserved balcony. Ticketmaster.
▪ The Synth Society: Performing synthesizer-based music of all genres. 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park Bandshell, 1900 N. Records Ave., Meridian. Free.
▪ Cody Jinks: 6:30 p.m. Friday (sold out) and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Revolution Center, 4983 N. Glenwood St., Garden City. $50 general, $100-$200 VIP. Ticketmaster. Opening: Ward Davis, Erin Viancourt.
▪ Floater: 8 p.m. Saturday, Knitting Factory, 416 S. 9th St., Boise. $25 general, $50-$60 reserved balcony. Ticketmaster. Opening: Ghostbox.
Fun days in Eagle
Live in Boise but never experienced Eagle Fun Days? Come on, man! The no-holds-barred water fight during the Wet & Wild Parade is worth the trip! Eagle Fun Days will take over the town Friday and Saturday, focused mostly in downtown Eagle. Events include a fun run, vendor market, food, live music, a car show, that Wet & Wild Parade (1 p.m. Saturday), a cornhole tournament, a Rocky Mountain Oyster Feed — and fireworks (at 10:20 p.m. Friday in Eagle Island State Park). Check out the city of Eagle website for specific information, times and places.
Watch big-air tricks
“Two hours of sending it”? “Two hours of celebration”? “Two hours of carnage”? “Two hours of stupidity”? Nitro Circus describes its latest tour, Good, Bad & Rad, as all of the above. A bunch of crazy dudes who treat motorcycles, stunts and gravity like toys, it hits Memorial Stadium, 5600 N. Glenwood St., Garden City, on Sunday. Tickets to the 7 p.m. show are $35-$85 at Ticketmaster.
