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Go Wild at the Western Idaho Fair! It opens today at the fairgrounds in Garden City, corner of Chinden and Glenwood. Hours are 11 a.m.-11 p.m. today and through next week. Opening day admission special is $5 adults and seniors; $4 kids 6-11; and 5 and under, free.
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Thursday, August 20th, 2009

CaldwellCNR

Caldwell Night Rodeo winds down this weekend. Take in the action tonight and Saturday night at 8 p.m. with junior rodeo at 6:45 and junior steer riding at 7:15. Cost is $20 adults; $8 for 12 and under.

Today is the last day to catch the Buckaroo Breakfast at 6:30 a.m. ($5), Buckaroo Bazaar, 5-11, both at the CNR rodeo grounds, and Kiwanis Chuckwagon, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the College of Idaho campus. Cost is $8 adults; $7 seniors; and $5 child under 12.

NampaGrace Fest

Grace Episcopal Church, corner of 10th and 4th streets, hosts Grace Fest Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Family fun, food and tours of the renovated 70-year-old church are all part of the festivities. Admission is free, with minimal charge for games, concessions and raffles.

Family Fest

Nampa First Church of the Nazarene, 601 16th Ave. S., hosts Community Family Fest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The event boasts 35 fun-filled activities. Admission and refreshments are free. Food items ranging from corn dogs, brats and burgers to hot dogs and candy apples are affordably priced at 50 cents each.

Jamboree

Saturday night is Skyview High School's 11th annual Fall Sports Jamboree at the football stadium. Dinner is from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and is a fundraiser for Skyview Booster Club. The menu includes spaghetti, Caesar salad, bread sticks, dessert and a drink for $8 adults; $5 seniors/students/children. The program at 6:30 will include a performance by the Skyview High School Marching Band, introductions of fall athletic teams and activity groups. After the program, each fall athletic team will hold its parents' meeting.

Zumba

Zumba Fitness for Food! is a food-raising event directed by local Zumba fitness instructors to aid Lighthouse Rescue Mission. Local DJ and lots of dancing for donations is from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at 472 Caldwell Blvd.

Gail Currie, local Zumba instructor will teach four free Zumba classes to anyone dropping off donations to the Lighthouse. DJ Tony Krave will provide great music and lots of fun for everyone.

EagleWine Fest

Eagle Food & Wine Festival Gala is 6:30-10:30 tonight at BSU Stueckle Sky Center. The auction is noon-6 p.m. Saturday with Festival on the Lawn and Chef's Tent at Merrill Park, Eagle. Tickets are $75, Gala; $50, Chef's Tent, $20/Festival on the Lawn.

BoiseBug Day

Bug Day 2009 at the Idaho Botanical Garden is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at 2355 N. Penitentiary Road (off Warm Springs Ave.). Admission is $6/adults, $4/IBG members and children ages 4-12. Visit different insect-related booths during the daylong event to earn your own "Certificate of Bugology." Play insect bingo, go on an Insect Safari, participate in the Insect Olympics, catch bugs, make crafts and get an insect tattoo.

Magic show

Boise Little Theater presents A Gift Of Magic featuring Odyssey Illusions and sponsored by the Jeker Family Trust on Saturday at 3 and 7 p.m.  Odyssey Illusions combines the talents of Mister X and Jason Byers with lights, music and plenty of magic. The show is a family-friendly, all-age-appealing act of large, colorful illusions, humor, audience participation and lots of fun. No tickets are required but each performance is limited to 355 attendees.  The show is at 100 E. Fort St.; for questions, call 342-5104.

Big Wash

Both Boise area Mister Car Wash locations work Sunday to benefit the Idaho Humane Society. Area residents are invited to make a cash donation from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. to receive a Free Express Wash. There will also be drawings and guests will enjoy fun giveaways. WOW 104.3 radio personalities will be at both locations with music and prizes. Join Dan Matthews at the 1790 Broadway Ave. location from 10 to noon or Don Jarrett from 2 to 4 p.m. at 5950 Fairview Ave. Bring canned and bagged pet food, blankets, towels, cat litter and toys for dogs and cats to either location. For each donation received, Mister Car Wash will give a $5 off coupon as a thank you. All supplies will be donated to the Idaho Humane Society.

Janie Harris benefit

Friends of Janie Harris stage a cancer survivor benefit concert at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Egyptian Theater, 700 W. Main St. Organized by pianist Paul Tillotson, who grew up under the tutelage of Harris' late husband, the concert is headlined by the protégé's trio, which features Jim Kassis on drums and Rod Wray on bass. Other musicians on the bill include Cherie Buckner, Billy Mitchell, Harris Lawless, Phil Batt, John Jones, The New Trio+, and Frim Fram Fellas, among others.

A cash-donation auction will be held midway through the concert with auctioneer Larry Flynn presiding. All proceeds from the auction and concert ticket sales will go to Harris, the widow of renowned jazz pianist Gene Harris. In addition, donations can be made directly to her at 5699 Fortress Ct., Boise, ID 83703. Tickets are $40, available in advance by calling The Egyptian Theater at 387-1273.

Baker CityCeltic festival

The 2009 Eastern Oregon Celtic Festival and Highland Games are Saturday at the Baker County Fairgrounds. This year's event is Scottish American Athletic Association (SAAA) sanctioned, meaning professional athletes from around the country can and will compete in Baker City as part of the national highland games circuit. Much like the rodeo circuit, professionals accumulate points at sanctioned events, which lead each year to the national highland games finals.

The festival includes a wide range of entertainment including three well-known musical groups: Ordinance, Guess When and the City of Trees Pipe and Drum Band. Irish Dance Idaho will perform the traditional Irish step with artistic precision and intricate choreography for the audience.

A sheepdog demonstration with trainer Bernie Miller is planned for spectators, with Irish Wolfhounds heading up the Parade of Clans during the opening ceremonies at 11 a.m. Visitors can also experience Celtic storytelling in full brogue, haggis tasting and the infamous Bonny Knees contest. The kids' games — like the adult highland games, only smaller — will be hosted by the Kiwanis Club.

Ten clans will set up their tents around the fairgrounds to help visitors find their Celtic ancestry. For those more interested in shopping and cuisine, approximately 25 vendors will attend.

Gates open at 8 a.m. Saturday, with the competition beginning at that time. Admission is only $3 for adults and $2 for children, with kids under age 5 admitted free.