Farmers Market

The Nampa Farmers’ Market is the place to buy and sell homemade, hand-crafted locally grown goods every Saturday from the first week of May to the end of October, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The market is located on Front Street in front of the old historic train station. New growers and vendors are welcome to come and sell their produce.

The market is celebrating its 13th year with more entertainment and public participation than ever. Any singing groups, dancers, soloists and bands who would like to perform should contact John Relk at 466-3840. For more information call Glenn and Jacqueline Scott at 466-9337.

Hispanic Cultural Center

NAMPA — The $3 million Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho will be built on the old Snake River Stampede rodeo grounds on Garrity Boulevard across from Lakeview Park.

Funding for the project is completed. Organizers hope to be in construction by early fall for the 9-12 month construction process.

The center will include a Hispanic heritage center, a library and resource center, a culinary instruction room, a music instruction room, a multi-use room, classrooms with high tech equipment, a computer lab, lecture hall, conference room and a gift store. It will use its resources to support and share Mexican culture.

Boise River Festival

For three days each June, the entertainment never stops at the Boise River Festival.

Begun in 1991, the festival opens on a Friday when the hot air balloons fill the air (there is a balloon rally each morning of the festival) and continues almost non-stop until the big fireworks finale on Sunday night, one of the biggest in the country.

There is plenty of free music, too, from national recording artists throughout the event, most of them occurring on the main stage in the evening at Ann Morrison Park.

The River Giants Parade, the largest inflatables parade this side of the Mississippi, takes place on Saturday and the Nite-Lite Parade — with light-adorned floats — takes place Friday and Saturday nights at 10:30 p.m.

Given’s Hot Springs

Not only does Given’s Hot Springs provide recreation for visitors, the hot springs is a historical spot.

Many pioneers traveling the Oregon Trail stopped at the springs to soak and relax.

Besides being a great place to swim, there are picnic tables (barbecuing is allowed) with fire pits.

There is a picnic shelter available for family reunions and get-togethers (reservations required for the shelter). There is fishing on the Snake River, a horseshoe pit, a baseball diamond and a volleyball area. There is also a snack bar on the premises.

Swimming discounts are given to Scout groups, church groups, school groups and other groups of 25 or more. Family passes and swimming lessons are available.

Contact Information: Givens Hot Springs, 495-2000.
Where: 11 miles south of Marsing on Highway 78.
When: The pool is open every day from noon to 10 p.m., except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Reserved swimming times are available on request.
Cost: $5 for adults (13 and up); $4 for seniors; $3.50 for children age 3-12. Seniors swim on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon for $3. Monday is Family Night from 5 to 10 p.m. Adults are $3, seniors are $2.50 and kids are $2. Show Family Night Card or mention Family Night for discount.

RV Hookup: $25 per night for two people. Dry camping: $20 per night for two people. Cabins: $55 per night for two people. Each additional person costs $5 for ages 3-12 and $7 for ages 13 and over. Price includes one day of swimming for each night of camping, showers and taxes.

Idaho Shakespeare Festival

TThe Idaho Shakespeare Festival will celebrate its 26th year of professional theater this summer in its year-old outdoor amphitheater located at 5657 Warm Springs Avenue, Boise.

The 2002 season features: “Much Ado About Nothing,” “Arms and The Man,” “Twelfth Night” “Macbeth” and finishes with “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”

Here’s a look at this year’s dates:
“Much Ado About Nothing” — June 27-28; July 14, 16-17
“Arms and The Man” June 29-30; July 11-12, 18; Aug. 3-4, 6-7, 15-16, 30
“Twelfth Night” — July 5-7, 9-10, 19; Aug. 1-2, 10-11, 13-14, 20-21, 24-25, 29
“Macbeth” — July 26-28, 30-31; Aug. 8-9, 17-18, 22-23, 27-28, 31
“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” — Sept. 6-8, 11-15, 18-22, 25-28

Prices range from $17-$28 for a single ticket and $70-$150 for season tickets. They offer special prices for children and students, as well as discounted multiple show and multiple seat packages. For information and reservations, call 336-9221 or see the Web site at www.idahoshakespeare.org., or by mail at Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Attn: Box Office, P.O. Box 9365, Boise, ID 83707 (allow 1-2 weeks for processing)