‘So damn cool,’ Boise’s Hyde Park Street Fair has never been bigger. Here’s what to know

Last summer, the Hyde Park Street Fair welcomed a record number of vendors: 186, the maximum reasonable capacity at Camel’s Back Park.

But this year? The outdoor party is slated to have 187 vendors, longtime event coordinator Carl Scheider said. “We got one more than we predicted we’d get in,” he explained.

So, technically, Hyde Park Street Fair will be bigger than ever in its 43rd iteration?

“Why of course!” Scheider joked.

Tens of thousands of Idahoans will flood Camel’s Back Park, 1200 N. Heron St., for a mid-September tradition. Two stages of music and entertainment. Arts and crafts vendors selling jewelry and clothing. Tons of food and beverage sellers. Plenty of cold beer.

If you’re a seasoned Boisean, you don’t need a guide. You know the drill. But a few details change each year. And annual reminders are always helpful. So keep the following in mind.

Free bands

The Hyde Park Street Fair is free to enter. Hours are 4 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Never attended? The atmosphere is family-friendly, with a neo-hippie undercurrent. Polite dogs are allowed, but your pup might get stressed in the crowded park. Adults can stroll the grounds sipping beer and wine, which are sold on site.

All of the bands will be local or have local ties. Nineteen performances are scheduled on the main stage, plus another 22 on the community stage, which also will feature dance acts. Things get granola-crunchier in the nearby geodesic dome. (Interested in yoga? Or joining a drum circle? This is your haven.)

Don’t forget to do some shopping. En route to vendors being capped at 187, the fair received a record number of applications, Scheider said.

Why was interest so high?

“ ’Cause we’re so damn cool!” he explained with a laugh. “Vendors do well here.

“We have so many different varieties of vendors. It’s really fun to walk around and just find out all the weird stuff that’s available.”

One thing that stays the same each year? Challenging parking! It is, dependably, a “#$%@,” Scheider agreed good-naturedly. With limited space, quiet residential streets become a jam-packed parallel parking zoo. If you drive, definitely attempt to carpool. (Thank you for your patience each year, North End neighbors.)

Biking is strongly encouraged. A free bike corral is provided in the park. (Bring your own lock.) Next to it is a Lime scooter pick-up and drop-off area. Here’s an idea. Park a distance from the street fair, Scheider suggests, “and grab a scooter and come in that way.”

Drivers also can park at a school lot at 300 W. Fort St. and take advantage of Valley Regional Transit, which will shuttle people to 13th and Ridenbaugh streets (about two blocks from the fair) and back. The ride is free. Buses run every 30 minutes from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and 9:45 a.m. to 9:55 p.m. Saturday. The service won’t be available Sunday.

Weather? Lookin’ good

Another thing that will be different about this year’s Hyde Park Street Fair? The weather.

“Last year, it was fun but it was hotter than hell,” Scheider admitted. “This year, it’s a lot nicer. It’s a lot better for everybody.”

Weekend temperatures are forecast to reach the upper 70s to mid-80s.

History

Confused about this street fair that’s not actually in a street?

Ultimately, it’s another Boise growth story.

This event wasn’t much more than a pancake breakfast when it began in 1979 in the Hyde Park retail district a few blocks away on 13th Street. Concerns and complaints about the event’s size eventually forced the North End Neighborhood Association (NENA) to move it to Camel’s Back Park in 1997, where it has expanded into one of Boise’s most popular gatherings.

The Hyde Park Street Fair is NENA’s biggest yearly fundraiser.

Main stage schedule

(Subject to change)

Friday, Sept. 13

5-5:45 p.m.: Rebecca Scott

6-6:45 p.m.: Hoochie Coochie Men

7-7:45 p.m.: Audio Moonshine

8-9:30 p.m.: Bread & Circus

Saturday, Sept. 14

12-12:45 p.m.: Minor Paradox

1-1:45 p.m.: Right Shoes

2-2:45 p.m.: Trippin’ Bigfoot

3-3:45 p.m.: Ryan Curtis

4-4:45 p.m.: Low-Fi

5-5:45 p.m.: Audio Moonshine

6-6:45 p.m.: Play Dead

7-7:45 p.m.: Thomas Paul & Friends

8-9:30 p.m.: Matt Hopper & The Roman Candles

Sunday, Sept. 15

11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Dan Costello

12:30-1:15 p.m.: Blaze & Kelly

1:30-2:15 p.m.: High Pine Whiskey Yell

2:30-3:15 pm.: The Country Club

3:30-4:15 p.m.: Rancho Notorious

4:30-6 p.m.: Buddy DeVore & The Faded Cowboys