Fourth of July In Idaho (Boise, Pocatello: motel, work, home)

[Happy Kid]

So What is it like in the different areas?

Where are the best places to go, and enjoy the 4th?

Anybody got any ideas about what to do in the Coeur D Alene area? Which lake is the best for families?

[Torrie]

Ok,

I know this location isn't in Idaho, but if you ever get the chance, go see the fireworks in Vancouver, WA., right on the border of Oregon/Washington . They have the largest fireworks display West of the Mississippi. Pretty spectacular, but be prepared for large crowds.

As far as Idaho, I've gone to the fireworks at Cascade Lake and was very pleasantly surprised at how nice the fireworks were for such a small little town. Bring your bug spray though!

[cleosmom]

There's a good size show over here in Idaho Falls each year. That is when the official IF traffic jam becomes a realism

[IdahoEagle]

Coeur d'Alene has a parade down Sherman avenue in the and a huge fireworks display at night. It always reminds me of a "Norman Rockwell" America.

[mejaka]

BEST place hands down, BION, is Melba, ID, near Boise. At least of those I've seen, which include Twin Falls, Coeur d'Alene, Hayden, Pocatello, Boise, and Idaho Falls.

Melba has a very small-town parade (lots and LOTS of candy, new tractors being shown off, horses, old cars, and a fly-over from Mountain Home AFB). There's a craft show, a games midway with fun homemade games (sadly fewer every year), and until recently there was a chicken chase or greased-pig race every year, but I guess it maybe got to be too much for the sensibilities of out-of-towners. There's a tractor pull and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament. The fireworks display is AWESOME and includes home-made fireballs (it's all run by the fire department).

In writing this out I've realized that the Melba 4th was really much better five years ago, before the crafts took up so much space and the town started focusing more on entertaining outsiders than on celebrating as a township. Too bad. Still great fireworks, though.

[Torrie]

oooh that's good to know, I have to admit I was a bit disappointed that Boise didn't offer some sort of fireworks display. Maybe in time they will get it together. I thought I saw something on the news about that...something like Dave Bieter (the mayor) was working on something for Boise.

[Happy Kid]

Any ideas about what show to go to ...Hayden or Coeur D Alene?

[CafeDelSol]

Originally Posted by Happy Kid

So What is it like in the different areas?
Where are the best places to go, and enjoy the 4th?
Anybody got any ideas about what to do in the Coeur D Alene area? Which lake is the best for families?

If you want parades and fireworks try Idaho Falls. We have a pretty good parade and one of the largest fireworks productions in the entire country. It's put on by a local company, Melaleauca. Well over a hundred thousand spectators converge on the city for this event so if you attend be prepared for a stressful driving situation and no motel room availability.
(See the other message thread about driving on the 4th)

[IdahoEagle]

I wasn't aware that there was a fireworks show in Hayden. I didn't find any information about it on their Chamber of Commerce's website at The Hayden Chamber of Commerce, Hayden Idaho either.
Hayden Lake doesn't really have any place to light them off with enough parking to handle the people or their cars. The parking lot at Honeysuckle beach might have 50 parking spots max. I live over the hill from Hayden Lake and haven't ever seen or heard them.

Coeur d'Alene has two shows. One starts first at independence point to the west of the Coeur d'Alene Resort and when that one is finished they do one on the other side of the resort near Tubbs Hill. It is funny to walk through the rows of cars and look at all of the Washington license plates.

[Happy Kid]

OK i must have misunderstood the 2 shows for CDA lake...being Hayden too! Thanks