Idaho Falls- top 10 things to do (Pocatello, Blackfoot: middle school, living, restaurants)

[Mtn. States Resident]

Just because it is a little cooler doesn't mean there is nothing to do in Idaho Falls and nearby communities.

The Carr Gallery has a ceramics display showing for most of the month.

Alive at Five continues with concerts at the Pocket Park in downtown Idaho Falls. It is from 5:30 - 7:00. Might want a jacket if it is breezy.

Last year there was a special walk on the Greenbelt for the Victims and Survivors of 9/11. I'm having trouble finding that information currently and info anyone has it, please post it here. If I can find that info, I'll add it too.

It could be that citizens just turned out last year and there was no organization, people just walked in honor of those who were victims to the terriorists.

I remember a friend telling me last year how powerful this event was as he couldn't walk all the way with his elementary age son, but tried to explain to him some of what happened. What a difficult task.

9/11 seemed to touch lives of so many, including ID residents or their relatives. I think it's most appropriate for me not to write about further activities today as to pay tribute to those who lost your lives. While I won't remember each person's name, truly I, along with others, will never forget what happened that day.

May those who lost family and friends find an extra source of peace and strength today. May we who post here lend our comfort to those who lost so much that day.

[Mtn. States Resident]

Sept 12th starts off what is now a four day festival of our local agriculture. Spud Day in Shelley, is in its 79th year! It's changed greatly from the 15 minute parade of mostly Firth and Shelley school marching bands and drill teams, plus local floats etc., to what it has been evolved to today.

If you have never experienced it, I encourage you to do so. There really is no other festival or celebration of local agricultural that allows you to eat, play in, have a tug bowl over the mashed version, create artistic work and sell goods all from one local agricultural product. In Eastern ID, that would be the "Idaho Spud."

Just to clarify, for those who don't know the facts, there are many, many different types of potatoes. If you are ever confused of the superior ones eastern ID grows, those that have a taste that remains more flavorful and a bit sweeter, IMHO, just remember the Shelley School District Mascot: The Russet. (Burbank Russet).

As one would expect, the majority of activities are on Saturday when kids are out of school and families can participate. And the list of activities starts from a free breakfast to a children's parade, regular parade, magic shows, tug bowl, demolition derby, Red Baron Aviation Model Flyers and many, many other activites. While there will be commercial vendors, most of the activities and shows are at no cost. Events start at 7:00 a.m. and continue through 5:00 p.m.


I certainly don't know anything about the $500.00 Mr. Potato Head treasure hunt. Apparently, clues will be given out each of the four days (starting today). Unfortunately, I don't know who or what gives out the clues. Does anyone know and can post more about this part of the festival. I'm sure many are interested to learn how they might be the lucky winner of $500.00. PLEASE post any information you might have of how locals and visitors obtain these clues. ?

Besides getting the first clue for the Mr. Potato Head treasure hunt, a new Miss Russett will be crowned tonight. No don't worry, the teens competing in this contest wear regular clothes, not potato skins. Many spend months practicing their talent and getting their gowns and other clothing required for the competition ready.

Good luck all who are competing in the Miss Russet Pageant! It starts at 7:00 p.m. in the Colonial Theater.


From the KIDK website, here is a schedule of what is planned for 79th Spud Day Celebration:




YouNewsTVâ„¢Story Published: Aug 27, 2007 at 9:13 AM MDT

Story Updated: Aug 27, 2007 at 9:13 AM MDT
By Lori Quigley
The 79th Annual Shelley Spud Day sponsored by the City of Shelley and the Shelley Kiwanis Club.

Schedule of Events

Wednesday 9-12-07
7:00pm Miss Russet Pageant - Colonial Theater in Idaho Falls

Thursday 9-13-07
7:00pm & 8:30pm Melodrama "Heaven Help the Po'taters" Virginia Theater

Friday 9-14-07
3:00pm Tator Trot Shelley High School Track
6:00pm Alumni Basketball Game Shelley High School

Saturday 9-15-07
7:00am QRU Pancake Breakfast-Shelley Senior Center
7:30am Spud Run-Starts at Sunrise Elementary
9:45am Children's Parade-Shelley Sate Street
10:00am Spud Day Parade-Shelley State Street

At Shelley City Park-Dawn Lloyd Field there will be food booths, craft and commercial booths, games, petting zoo, and amusement rides.

11:00am Magic Show-Free stage
Noon Free Baked Potatoes and trimmings-Southeast Park Shelter
Noon Talent Show-Free stage
Noon Potato Picking Contest-Center of Park
12:30pm Horseshoe Tournament-North Side of Park
2:00pm Magic Show-Free stage
3:00pm Spud Tug-Southwest Ball Diamond

At North Bingham County Park

2:00pm Red Baron RC Model Flyers
5:00pm Demolition Derby

Join the fun by participating in the "Mr. Potato Head" treasure hunt. Each day pick up clues to find pieces of "Mr. Potato Head". Prizes awarded with grand prize winner collecting $500.00!

[Mtn. States Resident]

A couple of other things going on tonight. Some are talking about Robert Falls is playing accoustic rock at Vino Rosso tonight. If anyone has ever heard him play before, is his 2 hour set worth seeing/hearing? I'm assuming it's casual.

If anyone knows more, please add info so others know whether or not to attend. I don't even know if Robert Falls is a native of the area, or goes on tour to specific, smaller gathering places. Please add any details or info that you can, as I'm sure newer residents and visitors may be interested.

If anyone goes, let us know how his set was and how many people approximately were there etc.

Have fun!

[Mtn. States Resident]

On Thursday 9-13-07
7:00pm & 8:30pm Melodrama "Heaven Help the Po'taters" Virginia Theater, continuing the Spud Days Celebration in Shelley. The Virginia Theater has been totally redone. While I haven't been there myself, others have commented on how much work went into it.

Does anyone here know more about The Virginia Theater in Shelley?

Like most of you have probably noticed, there are a lot of ads for athletic clubs, dancing, gymnastics, music lessons etc. for moms during the day and kids after school. If you are thinking of signing up, those classes get really full.

It is fun to watch the Children's Choir or the little ones dance. I'm not sure it's as much fun to watch older ones (their parents) dance. Well maybe - it depends on the age of the parents.

Don't forget the outdoor Dinner-Theatres, like the Mtn. River Ranch in Ririe are ending for the season.

And starting on 9/21, The Actors Repertory Theatre of Idaho, opens its Neil Simon play, "Jake's Women." For more information contact: www.artidaho.org.

Enjoy participating in some theater or theatre event soon, if you can. And as always, please let us know back here how your experience was, what you would recommend for others going etc.

Have fun.

[Mtn. States Resident]

Don't forget the activities on Friday.

3:00pm Tator Trot Shelley High School Track. Hmmm wonder who all participates?

6:00pm Alumni Basketball Game Shelley High School. Is their an age limit of "Alumni?"

The Abridged Works of Shakespeare - another dinner theatre to explore in Idaho Falls. For more information: PlaysForStage.com Great comedies foryour theater by Karl Peterson!. This dinner theater is only open on Fridays and Saturdays.

Have fun and don't forget the daylong activities for Spud Day and other local celebrations, such as Lost Rivers Days, and a community event in Idaho Falls on Saturday 9/15.

If anyone attends Spud Days in Shelley, please let us know what you thought and recommendations you would have for others.

[Mtn. States Resident]

This is a much more serious event occurring tonight, 9/14/07. At Freeman Park, a candlelight vigil will be held. This is part of the events planned for the second annual Idaho Missing Persons Day.

Please keep those in mind who suffer greatly from not knowing where their loved ones are. Currently, a mother of a young baby has been missing almost a month with no clues. There are other local residents that are also missing, as well as those elsewhere in Idaho.

I hope the candlelight vigil and other events planned for today make each day a little easier for those who have someone missing.

[Mtn. States Resident]

We are past the hot days of summer and well into the fall.

I'm wondering what others think. Should some of us start a new thread focusing on FALL, Thanksgiving and Christmas Activities? There are a lot and a lot of new activities are being added monthly. Some may be surprised what is going on in Idaho Falls. I think I'll save the growing convention for the first post, if indeed there is enough interest in creating a seasonal thread for what is occurring in the Idaho Falls area.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks!

[IndigoMoose]

MSR - I love the thought of a new thread with upcoming Fall activities. Great idea!

[Mtn. States Resident]

It is time to bring this thread out again. For those planning vacations that will place them in Idaho Falls this summer, as well as new residents, you may want to scroll through some of the posts from last summer.

When I saw the teens had already been cast for one of the summer theater groups in Idaho Falls, I realized this thread needed to be dusted off and added to now. New users to the site probably have a lot of information they could add. I hope new and older users will contribute to this thread.

Given the recent Bonneville Youth Soccer League "Shoot Out," over the weekend, I thought I should post this link to Soccer in Idaho Falls. There are adult teams too and different teams/age of the child. The Bonneville Youth Soccer League (BYSL) has all this information and more. Their web site is: BYSLSoccer.org.

Some may not think of Soccer and Idaho Falls being on the same page. I think the almost 80 teams who participated last week from within ID and surrounding states wouldn't agree.

The City of Idaho Falls and BYSL are working together on 18 new soccer fields (see the link: SoccerUnderTheLights.net (Home)). This is just one of the activities on the westside many forget, or never knew, is available in Idaho Falls. Idaho Falls area youth, and some adults, take soccer (and ice hockey) very seriously.

I look forward to posts of others giving the dates, contact info, web sites (if any) to some of the many, many fun and activies in the summer. Share some of your discoveries, as many in the area will be vacationing closer to home and many admit having never visited national, if not international well-know national parks, the zoo (with the new additions), and even great picnic spots some may not know exist.

I've heard the space camp is suppose to be larger this year. Does anyone know about that?

Thanks - I'm looking forward to your great posts!

MSR

[Mtn. States Resident]

With summer starting, if you live in the Idaho Falls area or are planning to visit, please check how many different activities are already scheduled. Essentially, every weekend has multiple fun things to do.

Just to make sure everyone knows, the Brewers Festival is on June 7. Check out the price and all the breweries (and their home locations) who enter this festival: North American Brewers Association

Also, if you like music and are new to the area, or will be visiting, every Tuesday, Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, provides a free concert on the Greenbelt. Learn more at: Idaho Falls Arts Council.

Additionally, starting on the first Wed. of June - through the last Wed. in Aug., Alive After 5 is held downtown. More music and meeting other residents. Here is the link: Idaho Falls Civitan Club


Finally, this year, don't forget, the annual Duck Race and Battle of the Bands will be on Aug. 9, 2008. It's a great weekend of activities, but staying with the music theme, here is the link for Battle of the Bands: Idaho Falls Arts Council.


PLEASE post any activities, like the science camp, all the art displays, classes, gymnastics classes, Snake River Roaring Youth Jam, dance classes etc. - all the special activities and dinner theaters etc. offered in the next 3-4 months. Many people felt this thread was useful in planning family or vacation activities last year. There is soooooooooo much more to do this year, with all the activities at Snake River Landing, Taylor's Crossing on the River and new day activities for kids etc.

Thanks for your help. There are fun activities for every age in the great summertime, both indoors and outdoors. Have fun!