5 things to do Fourth of July weekend in Boise — not just fireworks

Pyros are out of the closet. Dogs are under the bed.

And half of Boise is in a massive traffic jam on Idaho 55 leaving town.

It must be Fourth of July weekend.

If you’re hanging around the Treasure Valley, you’ll find lots of fireworks displays in the coming days. But if non-flammable entertainment also sounds appealing, here are calendar events and other ideas that don’t involve punks and fuses.

1. Do some misbehavin’

With Idaho Shakespeare Festival taking a weeklong pause in late June because of COVID-19 breakthrough cases in the company, you’d think this weekend’s shows would be totally sold out. Nope. Tickets are still available for performances of the musical “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” which runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday. “... There is availability for the holiday weekend,” Hannah Read Newbill, director of marketing, confirmed in an email.

2. See a concert

Just a reminder: The Ween concert postponed twice at Outlaw Field got postponed a third time earlier this week. It’s now rescheduled for Tuesday, July 5. (Cross your fingers!)

In the meantime, here are a few club shows this weekend.

▪ Greg Attonito (of The Bouncing Souls): 8 p.m. Friday, The Olympic, 1009 W. Main St., Boise. $15, eventbrite.com. $18 at the door. Special guest: Joe Sullivan.

▪ Street Fever: 8 p.m. Friday, Neurolux, 111 N. 11th St., Boise. $15, eventbrite.com. Special guests: Ani Christ, Tyrus Newell, DJ Pace Jackson.

▪ Femme Von Follies Burlesque & Bands: 9 p.m. Saturday, Neurolux, 111 N. 11th St., $20, eventbrite.com.

3. Have some ice cream (and finger steaks!)

Fanci Freez Burgers & Shakes, 1402 W. State St., is celebrating 75 years in business in downtown Boise. The local Rhodes Hull Magic Band will perform at 1 p.m. Saturday. And during July, Fanci Freez, is selling 75th anniversary stickers and straws with a portion of sales going to local charities that support the Boise and Meridian communities. Because being local is what Fanci Freez is about. “We proudly serve Idaho signature items,” owner Bill Hawes said in an email, “like anything with huckleberries in it, including our huckleberry milkshake and huckleberry cheeseburger!”

4. Float that river!

If you live in the City of Trees and don’t float the Boise River at least once each summer, you’re missing out. Floating season started Monday. Raft and equipment rentals are in full swing at Barber Park from noon to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, noon to 6 p.m. Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Old-school Boiseans might remember inflation stations on site; those are history, sadly. So bring your own pump if you need to fill anything. Parking costs $7 at Barber Park. The float ends about 6 miles downstream at Ann Morrison Park. A $3 shuttle leaves Ann Mo on the hour from 1 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; Friday shuttles run hourly from 1 to 9 p.m. On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, the shuttle leaves every 20 minutes between noon and 9 p.m.

5. Party at the zoo

Zoo Boise will host “Red, White, and Zoo” from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, with last admission at 4 p.m. The event celebrates “three very special birthdays,” according to a media release. Those include: 1) The birth of our nation; 2) Elvis the spider monkey’s 60th; 3) Mr. Mac the Aldabra tortoise’s 100th! Patrons are encouraged to dress in red, white and blue or animal-themed outfits. There will be a costume contest and parade, plus live music, chances to watch animals open presents, Mr. Mac encounters, Butterflies in Bloom, games, activities, vendors and more. And here’s the thing about those birthdays: “Under human care, spider monkeys have a lifespan of 20 to 40 years, so Elvis turning 60 is a big deal,” Zoo Boise says. “Aldabra tortoises have been known to live more than 150 years and may be the longest living of all animals – although this is hard to prove because they have outlived the scientists who were studying them, and proper records were not kept.”

Bonus: Take a drive

▪ Go take in some country air — and the scent of lavender. Take a drive to Kuna and visit a lavender farm. The Lavender Merchant, 2871 Stroebel Road, is hosting its annual Lavender Festival from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. You-pick lavender is $5 a bunch. There also will be handmade lavender products, make-and-take flower crowns, lunch and desserts, and items for sale from other local artisans. It’s free to attend.

▪ Whether it’s hiking, biking or chilling and watching live music, there’s tons of entertainment happening up at Bogus Basin all summer — including this weekend. Check the Bogus website for details.