By Sylvia Dorrance, REALTOR®, eXp Realty
Planning the weekend of October 9 through 11 in the Boise area, known locally as the Treasure Valley? There is something on the calendar all three days: Eagle Harvest Fest and the Star Pet Fair on Saturday, The Boise Flea and an all-ages concert at the Knitting Factory on Sunday, and the Boise Art & Craft Fest running every day at Expo Idaho. Pick one anchor event, build your day around it, and you will have plenty of reasons to stay out longer.
The weekend's headliners at a glance
Here is where the biggest draws land, with times and locations straight from the organizers' pages linked below.
| Event | Date | Time | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eagle Harvest Fest | Sat, Oct 10 | 10am–4pm | Heritage Park, Eagle | Free |
| Saddle Up, Idaho! | Sat, Oct 10 | 10am–5pm | Idaho State Museum | Free |
| Star Pet Fair | Sat, Oct 10 | 11am–3pm | Waggin' Tails Dog Park, Star | Free |
| Boise State vs. Idaho (exhibition) | Sat, Oct 10 | 5pm | Idaho Central Arena | Tickets required |
| Boise Art & Craft Fest | Oct 9–11 | 8am–6pm | Expo Idaho, Garden City | Check the organizer |
| Scarecrow Stroll | Oct 9–11, daily | 9am–5pm | Idaho Botanical Garden | Adults $15, seniors and students $13, youth $9, members and kids 3 and under free |
| The Green | Sun, Oct 11 | Doors 7pm, show 8pm | Knitting Factory | Tickets required |
Friday, October 9
Friday is the lighter day of the three, and a good chance to get ahead of the weekend before Saturday's crowds. The two all-weekend events are both open Friday, so a long lunch break or an early evening can cover a lot of ground.
The Boise Art & Craft Fest opens at Expo Idaho in Garden City on Friday, and the Scarecrow Stroll is on display at the Idaho Botanical Garden from 9am to 5pm. Both are described in the all-weekend events section below, with admissions and parking details.
Saturday, October 10
Saturday is the biggest day of the weekend, with two festivals, a pet fair, two farmers markets, and a Boise State basketball exhibition spread across the valley.
Eagle Harvest Fest returns to Heritage Park in downtown Eagle on Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Live music, local vendors, children's activities, and food, plus a stop on the Idaho Liberty Bell state tour. The festival also makes for an easy day in downtown Eagle, with the rest of the area to explore while you are there.
The Idaho Liberty Bell makes a stop at Eagle Harvest Fest during festival hours, 10am to 4pm, as part of the state's liberty bell tour, so a visit to Heritage Park covers both in one trip.
Saddle Up, Idaho! runs Saturday from 10am to 5pm at the Idaho State Museum, and admission is free. It is an easy add to a weekend that is otherwise heavy on outdoor events.
Star Pet Fair runs 11am to 3pm at Waggin' Tails Dog Park in Star, organized by Hand & Paw. Admission is free, so bring the whole family, including the dog.
Meridian Main Street Market runs 9am to 1:30pm on Saturday, and Eagle Saturday Market runs 9am to 1pm. Both are good morning stops before the afternoon events.
Boise State men's basketball hosts Idaho in an exhibition game at Idaho Central Arena on Saturday with a 5pm tip. Tickets required.
Sunday, October 11
The Boise Flea sets up in the Albertsons Stadium lot on Sunday from 10am to 4pm, a good midday stop as the weekend winds down.
The Green brings the Titles Tour to the Knitting Factory on Sunday night. Doors open at 7pm, the show starts at 8pm, and the concert is all ages.
All-weekend events
Boise Art & Craft Fest runs Friday through Sunday, October 9 through 11, at Expo Idaho in Garden City, open 8am to 6pm each day. Admission: check the organizer.
Scarecrow Stroll at Idaho Botanical Garden runs daily from 9am to 5pm through the weekend. Admission: adults $15, seniors and students $13, youth $9, members and kids 3 and under free. The Garden's parking lot is temporarily closed; park at the Table Rock Trailhead behind the Warden's House.
Details can change; confirm with the organizer before you go.
Sylvia's take
Weekends like this are why I love the Boise area, known locally as the Treasure Valley. There's a lot happening, and several of these events are free. My advice: pick one anchor event, build your day around it, and leave room to wander.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eagle Harvest Fest free?
Yes. The City of Eagle lists Harvest Fest at Heritage Park in Eagle on Saturday, October 10, from 10am to 4pm, with no admission fee.
What's free this weekend?
Three events on this weekend's list are free: Eagle Harvest Fest, Saddle Up, Idaho! at the Idaho State Museum, and the Star Pet Fair at Waggin' Tails Dog Park.
Do I need tickets for the Boise State vs. Idaho exhibition?
Yes, tickets are available through Idaho Central Arena.
Where should I park for the Scarecrow Stroll?
The Garden's parking lot is temporarily closed; park at the Table Rock Trailhead behind the Warden's House.
Let's talk through your options
Weekend event lists are a nice way to get to know the Treasure Valley, and so is a conversation about what you want out of your next move. If you are thinking about buying, selling, or relocating to the Boise area, I can help you turn that into a clear plan. Email or call anytime, and we will start with a short conversation about your goals.