The Days of the Old West Fourth of July in Hailey has been called one of the best places in the country to celebrate Independence Day by places like the Los Angles Times. To help you make the most out all that’s going on, here’ s Top 10 list of fun stuff happening around the Fourth.
10: Go for a Run!
The annual Tutus and Tennis Shoes 5k Fun Run and Walk is a great way to start off the Fourth with some exercise for a good cause—Sun Valley Ballet.
9: Go Shopping Outside!
Roberta McKercher Park in Hailey will host the Antique Market and will feature beer, food and live music on July 5 & 6th. Meanwhile, the Wood River Farmer’s Market will move to Saturday this week to make room for the Fourth. Lots of local shops in Hailey and Ketchum are also having sidewalks sales all weekend.
8: Eat some Pancakes!
The Hailey Kiwanis Club will once again be kicking of Independence Day in tasty style with their Pancake Breakfast at the Grange Hall.
7: See the Ice Show!
Watch Olympic Gold Medal winners, Alysa Liu and Ryan Bradley, celebrate America’s birthday in style by performing during Sun Valley on Ice’s annual Fourth of July show.
6: Enjoy the Views!
Every community in the Wood River Valley is blessed restaurants with great patios. You can’t go wrong from Mahoney’s in Bellevue to Power House Pub in Hailey to Grumpy’s in Ketchum or The Ram at the Sun Valley Inn.
5: Dance the Nigh Away!
You can either go see some of the best ballerinas in the world as Ballet Sun Valley hosts the San Francisco Ballet at the Sun Valley Pavilion or you can go dancing yourself: Eric Lindell is playing for free at the Ketchum Town Square on July 3rd,Like a Rocket is doing the same at Mahoney’s on July 4th and The Mint is throwing an Ida-Hoedown on July 5th.
4: Go to the Rodeo!
The Sawtooth Rangers put on world-class rodeo July 2-4th at the Hailey Rodeo Grounds.
3: Go to RiverFest!
Take in great live music on stage and the glorious music of nature along the Draper Wood River Preserve. The Wood River Land Trust’s celebration includes food and craft vendors, a beer garden and a kids carnival.
2: Catch the Fireworks!
They light up the Northern Rockies skies above Hailey as soon as the sun goes down.
1: Enjoy the Parade!
Fourth of July Parade is the quintessential small town parade. Enjoy the best darn parade in the West as it rolls down Main Street in Hailey, starting at noon.
Extra Credit: Help Support the Cause. You can help by making a donation to The Chamber or by purchasing raffle tickets to win stuff like a Traeger Grill donated by Idaho Lumber. For more information, call 208-788-3484 or go to HaileyIdaho.com.
By Mike McKenna
This story originally appeared in the Chamber Corner column in The Weekly Sun.
