5 things to do this weekend: 1000s of skis, 60 seltzers, one last taste of downtown Boise

Michael Deeds
·5 min read

What season is it? Boise doesn’t know. There’s a ski swap this weekend like it’s almost winter, and there’s a hard-seltzer party like it’s summer.

And the high is supposed to be 60 degrees on Friday.

Either way, it should be a 72-hour-long blast. Here are highlights on the Treasure Valley entertainment calendar.

1. Swap ski gear

One thing I appreciated about last year’s Ski and Snowboard Swap? Sure, the opening-day lines were long. But there’s beer. So I sipped happily on an IPA while waiting to check out. Best of all, my kid and I scored a cart loaded with bargain-priced equipment. With 20,000 items, it’s billed as the largest skip swap in the Northwest. The 72nd annual event runs Friday through Sunday at Expo Idaho, 5610 N. Glenwood St. Here’s the scoop: Check in stuff to sell from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. Shop from 1 to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5. (Or, on Sunday, bring a canned food donation for the Boise Rescue Mission and get in free.) Those 17 and younger are free all three days. The Ski Swap benefits the Bogus Basin Ski Education Foundation. More information: bbsef.org.

2. Sip 60 seltzers

Why should beer geeks have all the festival fun? Western Collective brewery in Garden City will host Western Seltzerfest on Saturday. Pouring and partying from 1 to 7 p.m., the indoor event at 111 W. 33rd St. will provide unlimited sampling of roughly 60 hard seltzers from nearly 20 brands. You’ll find food trucks on site, DJ dancing and games to keep things lively. We get it: “There ain’t no laws when you’re drinking Claws.” But you still have to be 21 or older to attend. And please leave your dog home unless it’s the service kind. Visit westerncollective.beer to buy advance tickets for $49 until 6 p.m. Friday. Otherwise, they’ll be $59 at the door.

3. Game like a native

If you grew up in Boise — especially the North End — a new board game will bring back memories. Created by local nostalgia purveyor Boise OG, “Surviving Camel’s Back” recalls a simpler, perhaps scarier time in the City of Trees. “A true OG remembers when playgrounds were more about survival than recreation,” Boise OG explains in a media release. “With splintered wood, sun scorched metal, and pitch black slides on a steep hill, Camel’s Back Park had something for everyone.” Join artist and game designer Kelly Knopp at a kickoff party from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Lost Grove Brewing in Hyde Park, where the game will be sold. Can’t make the shindig? You can buy the game, which is suitable for ages 6 and older, for $36.99 shipped at BoiseOG.com. (Along with a lot of other hilarious stuff.)

“Surviving Camel’s Back” is “a board game about the days when playgrounds were more about survival than recreation.” Boise OG
“Surviving Camel’s Back” is “a board game about the days when playgrounds were more about survival than recreation.” Boise OG

4. Get a final taste

Last call for Taste of Downtown. Nearly 50 Boise restaurants and bars are offering $12 specials during the 10-day promotion, which winds down Sunday. In addition to those deals, some restaurants are offering prix-fixe breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. Other businesses are hosting social hours and dining “experiences.” Some of the bargains are more appealing than others, so it pays to do a little research. To peruse the full Taste of Downtown menu, visit downtownboise.org/taste.

You can get a half lobster or half crab roll with with kettle chips and a pickle spear for $12 at Freshie’s Lobster Co. at The Warehouse Food Hall during Taste of Downtown. Michael Deeds/mdeeds@idahostatesman.com
You can get a half lobster or half crab roll with with kettle chips and a pickle spear for $12 at Freshie’s Lobster Co. at The Warehouse Food Hall during Taste of Downtown. Michael Deeds/mdeeds@idahostatesman.com

5. See a concert (or don’t?)

If you haven’t already nabbed Portugal. The Man tickets, prepare to beg, borrow or steal. It’s sold out Saturday at the Knit. But good news! You can still see the Jonas Brothers on Sunday in Nampa! Here are concert highlights this weekend.

The Dark Harvest: Local metal with bands Texas Ketamine, Atheras, Suturist, Aterrima, and Keep Me Breathing. 7 p.m. Friday, Knitting Factory, 416 S. 9th St., Boise. $12 general, $24 reserved balcony. TicketWeb.

Cliffdiver: 8 p.m. Friday, The Olympic, 1009 W. Main St., Boise. $15. TicketWeb. Special guests: Sunsleeper, Glacier Veins.

Kill Rock Stars + Friends Tour: Performances by Logan Lynn, Bitch, Caleb Nichols, Desert Mambas, Katie Cash, Yellow Trash Cans, and Chateau Chateau. 8 p.m. Friday, Neurolux, 111 N. 11th St., Boise. $20. TicketWeb. $25 at the door.

Psychic Trash: 8 p.m. Friday, Shrine Basement, 1118 W. Idaho St., Boise. $12. Eventbrite. $15 at the door. Opening: No Can Fly.

Wheeler Walker Jr.: 8 p.m. Friday, Revolution Concert House, 4983 N. Glenwood St., Garden City. $33. Ticketmaster. Opening: Channing Wilson.

Whitehall: 8 p.m. Friday, The Shredder, 430 S. 10th St., Boise. $15. Eventbrite. $18 at the door.

Ivan Cornejo: 8 p.m. Saturday, Revolution Concert House, 4983 N. Glenwood St., Garden City. $70. Ticketmaster. Opening: Arath Herce.

Leisure Hour: 8 p.m. Saturday, Shrine Basement, 1118 W. Idaho St., Boise. $12. Eventbrite. $15 at the door. Opening: Blankslate, Strangelily, Ghost Beach.

Small Million/St. Terrible: 8 p.m. Saturday, Neurolux, 111 N. 11th St., Boise. $12. TicketWeb. $15 at the door. Opening: Endless Atlas.

Jonas Brothers: 7 p.m. Sunday, Ford Idaho Center Arena, 16200 N. Idaho Center Blvd., Nampa. $49.95-$229.95. Fordidahocenter.com. Special guest: Lawrence.

Bonus: Enjoy some comfort food

Rainy weather is slated to hit Boise on Saturday, so comfort food will be in order. Join the folks at locally owned Meltz Extreme Grilled Cheese for a one-year birthday celebration from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The restaurant at 6565 W. Fairview Ave. will randomly give away shirts, stickers and hats all day, feature live music from noon to 2 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., and offer free slices of cake with each purchase starting at noon. Love Boise State hoops? Basketball player Max Rice will sign autographs from 4 to 5:30 p.m., and give away a signed pair of shoes and a signed practice jersey.