Hello long weekend. Our beloved Spirit of Boise Balloon fest is underway, Piehole is celebrating an important bday, comics and cosplay is happening downtown, there's barbecue in Meridian, wine in Caldwell, and plenty of shows and comedy sprinkled everywhere in between. Whether you’re up at dawn for balloon launches (with a burrito in hand, hopefully) or staying out late for pizza and DJs, there’s lots of stuff to do this weekend.
Real quick: I need to talk to a few women for an upcoming story. If you are open to doing a quick interview, please fill out this form and I’ll be in touch. Thanks!!
📤 Top of the Inbox
Shoutout to Old Lady Cinnamon 🥰 I like your chosen shoutout name and I appreciate you sharing From Boise!
Share your referral link ([RH_REFLINK_2 GOES HERE]) with 3 people & you'll get the next shoutout!
Balloons & breakfast burritos
Friday, August 29 – Sunday, August 31
Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic is happening at Ann Morrison Park. Tomorrow night is the Nite Glow Spectacular and then there's morning launches at 7:20am on Saturday and Sunday. No dogs, no parking in the park. Chairs and blankets welcome. You can watch from the park or from other places. Some places I've gone to watch: Cresent Rim, Mountain View Drive, the foothills, the top of a parking deck downtown, or the wave in Garden City.
Also while you are in that neighborhood, go check out The Lost Window, a new to-go breakfast window at Lost Grove Brewing. They are open daily from 7:30-11:30am serving breakfast burritos (they look so good!), parfaits, and drip coffee. (Free coffee if you byo mug!) Love it.
credit Lost Grove Brewing
20 years of Pie Hole
Friday, August 29 – Saturday, August 30
Piehole is turning 20! 20 years of perfectly mediocre 'za by the slice. Celebrate at the downtown location (205 N. 8th Street) with DJs each night from 11pm–3am, a $6 deal for 2 slices + PBR/soda/water, pizza cookies, plus raffles and contests. Love u Pie Hole!
credit Pie Hole
Boise Comic Arts Festival
Saturday, August 30 – Sunday, August 31
Boise Comic Arts Festival is happening at Boise Centre on Saturday from 10am–6pm and Sunday from 12–5pm. The 13th annual fest includes an Artist’s Alley, cosplay, panels, performances, and workshops. Free to attend, no registration required.
credit Boise Public Library
SPONSORED BY ST LUKE'S FITONE
Let’s get moving, Boise
FitOne is almost here! On Saturday, September 20, Boise’s biggest community fitness event takes over downtown.
Pick your pace with a 5K, 10K, or Half Marathon. There’s a competitive wave if you’re chasing a PR and a family wave if you’re just in it for the fun. The course is scenic and stroller-friendly – and it all ends with a finish line festival in Ann Morrison Park complete with food trucks, live music & yard games.
Kids 12 & under race free with a registered adult, so round up the whole crew!
Repair Café is happening at JUMP from 4-7pm. Bring one item like a piece of clothing, small appliances, tools, toys, and volunteers will help fix it or guide you to next steps. It's free!
Friday, August 29
Femme Von Follies' The Stiletto Speakeasy, an intimate underground burlesque affair, is happening at Liquid Laughs Underground. Doors at 8pm, show at 9pm. Tix are $20-$30. It also says “Entry: Trinket exchange at the door.” I don’t know what that means but I am intrigued. 21+
Friday, August 29 – Saturday, August 30
Kuna Stampede Rodeo is happening at Crooked 8 Event Center in Kuna. There’s two action-packed days of rodeo. Tix are $12-$25 each day.
Saturday, August 30
Cold Cowboy Club 4th Annual Wellness Tailgate is happening at Payette Brewing from 9:30am–12:30pm. Start the day with a workout, then reset with a cold plunge and sauna. Explore wellness vendors, connect with the community, and celebrate health the Western way. Tickets required.
Yoga on the Mountain is happening at Bogus Basin. It’s a free yoga class on the lawn! Starts at 10am. Byo yoga mat.
Sunday, August 31
Tea & Tarot is happening at The Portal at 4pm. Enjoy an afternoon of connection, insight, and a little magic with tea in one hand and tarot in the other. Dress-up encouraged.
Free Book Swap is happening at Meriwether Cider House from 2–8pm. Bring a gently loved book (or two!) to trade while enjoying craft cider and connecting with fellow book lovers. It’s free!
Food finds & things to drink
Friday, August 29 – Saturday, August 30
Night of Aloha is happening at The Grove by Lemon Tree Co. from 5–8pm. Enjoy a 5-course vegan and gluten-free fine dining experience with Hawaiian fusion dishes and imaginative flavors. Tickets are $75 per person. Reservations required.
Saturday, August 30
Meat & Tater BBQ Fest is happening at Julius M. Kleiner Park in Meridian from 10am–9pm. This KCBS-sanctioned event features pitmasters from across the U.S. competing in ribs, chicken, pork, brisket, plus a special Idaho Potato category. Enjoy live music, a car show, food and vendors, a beer garden, a health fair, and family fun. Admission is free and proceeds benefit local programs through the Meridian Lions Club and Snake River Lions.
Dinner in the Garden is happening at Waterwheel Gardens in Emmett from 5:30–9pm. Hosted by The Modern Bar with Molly’s Garlic Goddess Seasonings, enjoy a farm-to-table dinner paired with Split Rail Winery. Tickets are $135 per person.
Sunday, August 31
Sunnyslope Wine Festival is happening at Ste. Chapelle Winery in Caldwell from 12–5pm. Enjoy tastings from 17 local wineries, live music, local artisans, and food from 7 local food trucks. Tickets are $60 for tastings (21+), $25 for designated drivers. Free shuttle available from Kleiner Park in Meridian (reservation required).
Sitting on a beach. Relaxing in the countryside. Or… stuck at work? Online therapy with BetterHelp makes it easy to check in with yourself—no matter where you are.
Psychic Sheila from Psychic Sheila’s Suga Shack is doing a set at The Lounge at the End of the Universe from 7–8:30pm. After 20+ years as a radio psychic and TV host, Psychic Sheila is taking her show live with an evening of humor, insights, and connection. Tix are $25 online or $25 at the door.
Friday, August 29 – Saturday, August 30
Comedians Mundek, Max Knudson, and Sara Raffaella are doing two sets, Friday and Saturday night, at The Cowboy Room (at Western Collective). Shows start at 7pm and tix are $19 for a seat or $26 for couch seating.
Saturday, August 30
Comedian Andie Main is doing a solo show at Mad Swede Brew Hall about addiction, recovery, brushes with fame, and finding her voice. It’s both hilarious and heartwrenching. Tix are $25.
Comedian Ryan Erwin is performing at The Lounge at the End of the Universe. Originally from Utah and now based in New York, Ryan has been featured on DryBar Comedy and performs across the country. Tix are $25 GA and $35 VIP.
ComedySportz is happening at 7:30pm at The Green Room. Watch two improv teams compete for laughs, with the audience calling the shots on points and the winner. Tickets are $20–$25.
Off The Cuff PopUp, a riff style standup show, is happening at Voodoo Cellar. Audience members provide topics to comedians at random through a bucket drawing system and comedians have limited time to come up with hilarious bits. Tix are $10.
“It’s A Conspiracy!” Comedy Show is happening at 8pm at Recycled Minds in Garden City. It’s an improv show that dives into hilarious conspiracy theories with a mix of wit and absurdity. Tix are $16 for adults, $6 for kids (5–12), and $5 for students.
