STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
Yes, Virginia, there WILL be a fireworks show over the City of Hailey come Fourth of July.
The City of Hailey has imposed an emergency ban on fireworks within the city and denied a fireworks sales permit for fireworks stands due to extreme fire danger posed by above-normal temperatures and a withering drought.
But that will not cancel the traditional 20-plus minute community fireworks that will start at dusk near Wood River High School, contrary to the rumors flying around.
“The Hailey Fire Department is in charge of it so I feel pretty confident that it’ll be safe,” said Chamber Director Mike McKenna. “The fire chief, Mike Baledge, is a certified fireworks guy so we’ll have a lot of pros out there.”
After a low-key celebration last year during the COVID pandemic, the Hailey Days of the Old West is back in full force with its traditional parade, RiverFest, rodeo and a few additional activities, as well.
“The fact that we’re even having it is a miracle after all we’ve been through,” said Kim Bryson, who is overseeing the long list of events this year. “We’ve got horses for the parade and we’ve got activities at the park afterwards. We’ve got a rodeo. It’s going to be so nice—We need it. We all need it. But it’s going to be hot so bring water—ice water.”
As anyone who’s stuck their nose out this week can attest, the valley is bulging with visitors. And McKenna said some Boiseans may be persuaded to come up since Boise is not having its Fourth of July parade this year.
That said, they’ll be hard-pressed to find a hotel room.
“Every room is spoken for,” he said.
Here’s the lineup:
HAILEY’S FOURTH OF JULY PARADE—Noon, July 4
After saluting health care workers during the 2020 parade, educators will be saluted as the Grand Marshals of this year’s parade. It’s expected that some of the education professionals will ride in horse drawn wagons, said McKenna.
Organizers had fielded 40 entries by Monday with more coming in daily. And, yes, it’s back on Main Street, starting at Myrtle Street and continuing south to the bend in the road where the highway jogs to the north.
DAYS OF THE OLD WEST RODEO—7:30 p.m. July 2, 3, 4
The rodeo begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Mutton Busting featuring youngsters trying to stay atop sheep, starts at 6 Friday and Saturday. Half-time entertainment on Friday will revolve around Junior Mini Bulls with young riders on them, while half-time entertainment on Saturday will revolve around Mini Broncs with young riders.
Home Town Bull Riding will conclude the rodeo on the Fourth of July.
The Idaho Cowboys Association voted the Hailey rodeo the best large rodeo in the state just before COVID shut most rodeos down last year. And the Barrel Racers of Idaho awarded it “Best Grounds,” which is a big honor.
“We’re extremely excited to be back at it and carrying on the tradition of rodeo—it’s our 74th year,” said Casey McGehee. “And it’s a pretty big rodeo with lots of cowboys coming from all over the Pacific Northwest.
Family Night is Friday, with kids 12 and under getting in free with a paid adult. Advance tickets cost $12 for adults and $7 for kids 12 and under, available at all three Atkinsons’ Markets stores in the valley and The Chamber. Tickets at the gate cost $15 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under.
RIVERFEST—2-5 p.m. July 4
The Wood River Land Trust has handed off the torch to Sawtooth Brewery this year. As a result, Riverfest will move from the Draper Preserve to Hop Porter Park on Bullion Street in Hailey.
The party will feature live music, food, raffles games and a Sawtoth Brewery beer garden. Local vendors from the Wood River Farmers Market will offer food and crafts for sale. And, yes, the much-sought after free ice cream will be available while supplies last.
GALLERY WALK—4-8 p.m., July 2
See some of Japanese ceramicist’s Jun Kaneko’s stunning ceramics and tour Ben Steele’s intriguing take on the Great Masters when three of Ketchum’s art galleries host a mini-Gallery Walk on Friday, June 3.
Friesen Gallery, Gail Severn Gallery and Kneeland Gallery will throw their doors open for about three hours beginning at 4 for Friesen and at 5 for Gail Severn.
JAZZ IN THE PARK—6-8 p.m., July 4
Bossa Nova Jazz Ensemble will kick off the free Jazz in the Park concerts on Fourth of July. The free concert, offered by the City of Ketchum will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at Ketchum’s Rotary Park at Warm Springs and Saddle roads.
Picnics and low-back chairs and blankets are welcome.
ANTIQUE FAIRS—July 2-4
Hailey’s 4th of July Antique Show will feature mechanical bull riding and a beer garden this year.
The show, promoted by Dana Jo Cameron of Blue Cow Antiques, will be held 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday at Roberta McKercher Park in Hailey, with the exception of Sunday when it closes at 5 p.m. Shoppers can indulge in early shopping on Set-up Day on Thursday.
IDAHO FOUNDER’S DAY CELEBRATION-July 3
Idaho Founder’s Day and the 25th anniversary of the BCRD’s Native Plant Arboretum will be celebrated from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 3, at the Arboretum near the corner of Fox Acres Road adjacent to the Wood River bike path in Hailey.
The Lorax will be there to welcome kids and encourage them to plant and take care of trees. The Idaho State Horse, the appaloosa, will be there. And there’ll be huckleberry treats celebrating the state fruit and a chance to tour the arboretum, which currently has a nice display of the Idaho state flower, the syringa.
SUN VALLEY ON ICE—July 3
Sun Valley Resort will launch its 2021 Sun Valley on Ice shows on Saturday, July 3, with Olympic Bronze Medalist Nathan Chen, who has been performing in Sun Valley since a youngster.
Chen, a five-time U.S. gold medalist and 2021 World Gold Medalist, will perform on Sun Valley Resort’s outdoor ice rink July 3.
Seating for the show will begin at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are available at https://www.sunvalley.com/things-to-do/ice-shows/, by contacting the Sun Valley recreation center at 208.622.2135 or emailing recreation@sunvalley.com.
FIREWORKS SHOW
Fireworks will start at dusk near Wood River High School in Hailey following the completion of the Sawtooth Rangers Rodeo.
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