Fireworks at the park, 4th of July parade, CWI Boise campus, pedal pub woes, and more. 
Happy Fourth of July, Boise. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let Boise Brief serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead:
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CWI campus news 🏫
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Fireworks show 🎆
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Lavender fest 💜
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Things to do 📆
Let’s get to it.
📰 In the news
CWI Boise campus groundbreaking: City, county and state leaders celebrated the groundbreaking for the decade-in-the-making College of Western Idaho campus, set to open in 2027 alongside hotel, housing and retail space at Whitewater Park Boulevard and Main Street — read more.
Boise wages jump 5.6%: The average Boise-area worker earned $61,670 in 2024—up from $58,390 in 2023—but still trails the national rate by about $3 per hour — see the full breakdown.
Bikes losing steam: Downtown Boise’s once-booming pedal pubs are now a rare sight as a 2021 alcohol ban continues to take a toll on operators — read how it’s impacting business.
Compare rates for free: The average driver pays $175 a month on car insurance, but most of us are paying way too much. If it’s been a while since you shopped around, you’re likely part of that “most of us” — this comparison tool can save you hundreds.
Highlights this week
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Field to Fork fest returns August 7th
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AmeriCorps cuts undermine community health
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Celebrate freedom over pancakes for breakfast
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Independence Day fireworks at Ann Morrison Park
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Enjoy Saturday morning sauna for a total reset
🫶 We got your back
Twist and shout: Knead an excuse to carb-load? At Prost!, every pretzel is hand-rolled into a symphony of salty satisfaction. Whether you’re into classic sea-salt twists, cheese-stuffed bombs, or the seasonal cinnamon-sugar spin-offs, they’ve got the doughy goodness to keep your taste buds dancing.
Frankly fantastical franks: When you need a quick bite that packs a punch, Foy’s Franks is the reigning champ of mustard, relish, and risk-it-all topping combos. Think loaded chili-cheese dogs with a dash of sriracha and pickled jalapeños—because sometimes comfort food needs a kick.
Tune in, power up: When you need a PC that churns through renders like a boss, keyboards that feel like an extension of your fingertips, or speakers that make your playlists thump, Computer Central is the secret weapon for every tech obsession.
Energy efficiency on a budget: New windows and doors may not seem glamorous, but they can deliver real savings — windows can reduce utility bills by 7-15% and doors by up to 35%. To sweeten the savings, Renewal by Andersen is offering $400 off per window and $850 off per door right now.
👀 Why just read it when you could be in it?
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📆 Boise happenings
All events are subject to change without notice. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
Today
🎆 Idaho 4th of July Parade @ Downtown | Friday (7/4) at 10 am – Roll into downtown Boise for a star-spangled celebration along Jefferson and Bannock streets in front of the State Capitol. Local bands, creative floats, and friendly competition all vie for prize money benefiting Idaho nonprofits. Whether you’re marching or spectating, this is the perfect way to kick off Independence Day with community pride and festive fun.
🎹 Garrett Mayer – Solo Piano @ Chandlers Restaurant | Friday (7/4) at 5:30 pm – Ease into your Fourth of July with Garrett Mayer’s graceful piano melodies, the perfect prelude to fireworks. Sip on something smooth, let the keys whisper sweet nothings, and soak up that hometown charm. It’s the chillest way to kick off your holiday festivities.
🥳 4th of July Fireworks Celebration @ Ann Morrison Park | Friday (7/4) at 6 pm – Kick off your Independence Day at Ann Morrison Park with a free fireworks spectacular synced to 107.1 Hank FM. Roll in early around 6 pm to snag a spot, indulge in fusion food trucks, sweet treats, and classic concessions. Beat the heat in the interactive fountain glowing red, white, and blue. Bonus: the park’s car-free for the day, so bike, stroll, or rideshare in for no-hassle fun.
This weekend
🎾 IWTA Clinic @ Julia Davis Park | Saturday (7/5) at 9 am – Serve, volley, and sweat it out under the summer sun with Idaho Wheelchair Tennis pros. All skill levels welcome—chairs and racquets on loan if you need them. Rally for two hours of adaptive fun, fresh air, and ace-tastic community spirit.
💜 Red Chair Lavender Festival @ Red Chair Lavender Farm | Saturday (7/5) at 9 am – Breathe deep and dive into 32 varieties of fragrant lavender at this annual festival. Pick your own bundles at a discount, groove to live music, and savor lavender-infused bites and sips from The Grainery. Kids can chug along on the lavender locomotive, get artsy with face painting and crown-making, or craft a fresh lavender wreath in a hands-on class.
🎶 Music on the Mountain @ Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area | Saturday (7/5) at 2 pm – Trade pavement for pine-scented air with an eclectic mix of indie rock, funky grooves, folk, soul, and electronic beats on the Base Area lawn. Spread out your blanket, grab a bite and brew from J.R. Simplot Lodge or Double R Ranch BBQ Smokehouse, and let the mountain views be your backdrop. Best part? It’s totally free—your ticket to summer mountain vibes without the price tag.
🎬 Barbie (2023) @ The Egyptian Theatre | Saturday (7/5) at 2 pm – Step into a world of pink perfection where existential crises are the plot twist of the century. This PG-13 comedy brings Barbie Land’s bright, bubbly chaos to the big screen—sans glitter meltdown. Grab your popcorn and see if Ken can keep up with the real star of the show!
🎮 All About Games League Challenge @ All About Games | Sunday (7/6) at 1 pm – Shuffle up and deal for just an $8 entry fee—no deck lists, no stress, just pure booster-pack glory. You’ll snag two packs just for playing, and every win after your first nets you bonus loot. Ready your best strategies, flex those competitive muscles, and may the odds of the pack be ever in your favor!
💖 Sapphic Speed Dating for Women Seeking Women @ The Balcony Club | Sunday (7/6) at 5 pm – Cocktails, convo, and chemistry collide as women and non-binary folx mix, mingle, and maybe make sparks fly. Registration (and your first drink) starts at 5, with lightning-fast speed-dating rounds kicking off at 6—stick around afterward to swap stories and extend the flirt fest. Whether you’re hunting for a new bestie or a potential S.O., this queer-friendly soirée promises laughs, light snacks, and a sprinkle of romance.
🎶 Live music & entertainment
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7/4 Garrett Mayer @ Chandlers – 5:30 pm
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7/4 Smooth Avenue @ Green Acres – 6 pm
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7/4 4th of July Country @ Shrine Social Club – 6 pm
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7/4 Red, White & Rooftop @ The Highlander – 7 pm
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7/5 Music on the Mountain @ J.R. Simplot Lodge – 2 pm
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7/5 Yachtley Crew @ Knitting Factory – 8:30 pm
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7/5 Reggaetonlandia @ Treefort Music Hall – 9:30 pm
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7/6 The Sweet Lilies @ Shrine Social Club – 7 pm
🏠️ Price Is Right – Boise edition
How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).
*This️ 👇️ could be your listing. Hit us up if you’ve got a home (or 12) to sell.
Amanda Cutter & Kathy Parker (Silvercreek Realty Group) – 4 bedrooms | 4 bathrooms | Built in 2018 | 3763 sqft
Panoramic city views steal the show of this haven from nearly every angle. The great room’s wall of windows and a three-door slider blur the line between indoors and the skyline, while the kitchen’s white-oak floors continue the natural vibe. The primary suite claims the best view in the house. Bonus: there’s a second suite, office, and laundry all on the main floor.
Upstairs, the flex space doubles as a craft lair or an empire-building HQ, with enough sunlight to keep houseplants thriving. Two bedrooms share a Jack-and-Jill bath, and serve up sunset views as well. Out back, the custom patio’s automated pergola, sunshade, and built-in heaters make weather irrelevant.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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