STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
Root for the cowboys and cowgirls. Then, give a cheer for the USA during the Wood River Valley’s Fourth of July Celebration.
The festivities get underway Wednesday, July 2, with the Sawtooth Rangers Days of the Old West Rodeo, which runs through Fourth of July.
And, the culmination is the old-timey Fourth of July Parade through Hailey on Friday, July 4, with fireworks capping the evening. It’s the 142nd Fourth of July parade in Hailey—can you believe it?!
This year’s Grand Marshals are the members of the Wood River Women’s Foundation, which is celebrating 20 years during which members have granted $5 million to valley nonprofits to make the community better.
And, while all 300 members won’t fit on a float, President Jeannie Shroads is rallying as many as possible to join in and take a bow.
Another unique entry is a float celebrating the public lands that are the basis for why so many Wood River Valley residents live here. Those taking part in that display certainly have a lot to celebrate, now that Utah Sen. Mike Lee has withdrawn his provision to sell off millions of acres of public land from the Big Beautiful Bill under consideration by Congress.
To the north, Sun Valley Resort will offer up its first Sun Valley on Ice Show of the season, followed by the two-day Baldy Bluebird Festival.
The schedule:
TUESDAY, July 1
Kyshona will bring her rock, R&B and folk from Nashville, Tenn., to the free Ketch’em Alive in Forest Service Park, First and Washington streets. The concert runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and food and beverage are available from food trucks.
TUESDAY-SUNDAY, July 1-6
“Waitress: A Musical,” about a waitress who enters a pie-baking contest to gain independence from her abusive husband, starts at 7 p.m. at The Liberty Theater in Hailey Tuesday through Saturday, with the exception of Fourth of July. There will be a matinee at 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are available at https://www.libertytheatrecompany.org/.
WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY, July 2-4:
The Sawtooth Rangers Day of the Old West Rodeo will start at 7:30 p.m. at the Hailey Rodeo Grounds for three nights. Tickets are available at Atkinsons Markets in Hailey, Bellevue and Ketchum and at the Hailey Welcome Center.
WEDNESDAY, July 2
Sun Valley on Ice kicks off for the summer with World Champion and Olympian Alysa Liu at Sun Valley’s outdoor ice rink beginning at dusk. The show will be followed by a festive fireworks display. For tickets, go to https://www.sunvalley.com/events/sun-valley-on-ice-july-2/.
THURSDAY, July 3
Tylor and the Train Robbers will perform from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Hop Porter Park as part of the free Hailey Rocks concert series. The concert, sponsored by Wood River Roofing and Sawtooth Brewery, will include food and drink for sale.
THURSDAY, July 3
Summer Music Series in the Pasture—an outdoor courtyard at Hotel Ketchum on Main Street--will feature Mark Mueller. The free music runs from 5:30-7 p.m.
THURSDAY-FRIDAY, July 3-4
The Baldy Bluebird Festival will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. both days at River Run Plaza with fireworks following the July 4 concert.
Thursday’s lineup features Jeremy McComb, Corey Kent and Ian Munsick. Thursday’s features the Jeff Crosby Band, The Castellows and Kip Moore. For tickets, go to https://www.sunvalley.com/events/baldy-bluebird-festival/.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY, July 4-6
The Antique Market at Roberta McKercher Park will feature more than 50 vendors from throughout the Northwest offering antiques, art, jewelry, pottery, bird houses, vintage Levi’s, vintage Christmas decorations and vintage clothing. Providing the music will be the Kentucky Sky Bluegrass Band. Learn more by calling Blue Cow Antiques at 208-312-4900.
FRIDAY, July 4
Noon—Hailey’s Days of the Old West Parade on Main Street Hailey
1-4 p.m.—Fourth annual Family Fun Fourth activities at the Life Church, 931 N. River St., near Albertsons. Activities include games, races, waterslides and a pie-eating contest.
1-5 p.m. Sawtooth Brewery’s RiverFest at Hop Porter Park. There’ll be live music at the brand new bandshell, kids’ entertainment, food trucks and beer.
FRIDAY, July 5
The Wood River Farmers Market will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Roberta McKercher Park in Hailey.
SATURDAY, July 5
The free hour-long Yoga at River Run will start at 9 a.m. at River Run Plaza. Arrive at 8:45 a.m. to register.
SUNDAY, July 6
Jazz in the Park will feature Kaie G. & The Half Maccs presenting Musica Brasileira from 6 to 8 p.m. at Ketchum’s Rotary Park on Warm Springs and Saddle Roads. Picnics and low-back chairs are welcome at this free concert series.