While many of us won't soon forget the impressive number of home displays that lit up the skies over the Treasure Valley in 2020, we're thrilled that almost all of our favorite community celebrations are returning in 2021! 

In fact, quite a few of these events are being split up over two days to double the fun. Whether you're looking for fireworks, a parade, live music or car show, you're sure to find it in our ultimate Fourth of July guide!

Nampa

God and Country Family Festival

  • When: 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 30
  • Where: Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater
  • What to expect: An inspirational evening of music, speakers and fireworks. This year's featured speaker is Israel Concepcion. Rock Harbor, Hill City Church, Sovereign Grace, Deer Flat, Christian Faith Center and Sister's Promise are helping to assemble a fantastic line-up of Christian Bands.
  • Price: Admission is FREE, the Ford Idaho Center does charge for parking.
  • Fireworks: At Dusk
  • Click HERE for more info

Council

Fourth of July: Freedom and Fireworks

  • When: July 2-4
  • Where: Various locations
  • What to expect: Council kicks off their three day celebration with a Farmers Market and Star Karaoke on Friday, July 2. Their softball and cornhole tournaments, Independence Day Parade and street dance featuring SoulPatch are scheduled for Saturday. The weekend wraps up with their Show & Shine Car Show, saw contest, kids carnival and World Famous Porcupine Races on Sunday.
  • Fireworks: Dusk at the high school football field on Sunday, July 4
  • Click HERE for more info

Cascade

Thunder Mountain Days

  • When: July 2-4
  • Where: Various locations
  • What to expect: This year's theme is "Front Line Responders & Local Hero Salute." The Thunder Mountain Days Parade will roll down Main street at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Cascade's popular rubber duck race is scheduled to start at Kelly's Whitewater Park at on Sunday at 8:30 a.m.
  • Fireworks: Dusk at the Cascade Golf Course on Saturday, July 3
  • Click HERE for more info
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Caldwell

Patriotic Weekend Celebration

  • When: Saturday, July 3 and Sunday, July 4
  • Where: Memorial and Brothers Parks
  • What to Expect: Caldwell is splitting their Fourth of July celebration into two days! Most of the festivities like the parade, vendors, car show, most patriotic bike and watermelon contests and live music take place on Saturday, July 3. Families are invited to watch the fireworks the following day
  • Fireworks: Dusk at Brothers Park on Sunday, July 4.
  • Click HERE for more info

Star

Star Hometown Celebration

  • When: Saturday, July 3 and Sunday, July 4
  • Where: Various locations
  • What to Expect: Like Caldwell, Star is super sizing their festivities and hosting two days of fun. Their fun run, parade, pie contests and auction will take place on Saturday. Families are invited back to Hunter's Creek Sports Complex on Sunday for kids games, live music and the fireworks show.
  • Fireworks: 10:15 p.m. at Hunter's Sports Complex on Sunday, July 4
  • Click HERE for more info

Middleton

Middleton 4th of July Festivities

  • When: Saturday, July 3 and Sunday, July 4
  • Where: Middleton Place Park and Foote Park
  • What to Expect: Most of Middleton's fun takes place on Saturday, July 3. Check out food, craft and carnival vendors and the Show-N-Shine Car Show at Middleton Place Park. Their parade begins from Middleton Middle School at 12 p.m. The fireworks will be the following evening.
  • Fireworks: Dusk at Foote Park on Sunday, July 4
  • Click HERE for more info

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Melba

Melba "Olde Tyme" 4th of July

  • When: Saturday, July 3
  • Where: Various locations
  • What to expect: Melba will be having all of their fun the day BEFORE the Fourth of July. Their fun run, parade, tractor pull, car show, chicken round up and fireworks are back in 2021.
  • Fireworks: Dusk
  • Click HERE for more info

Marsing

3rd of July Fireworks

  • When: Saturday, July 3
  • Where: Island Park
  • What to expect: Prior to the fireworks, the Marsing Lions Club will serve up their famous BBQ and there will be additional family activities throughout the park.
  • Fireworks: Dusk
  • Click HERE for more info

Garden City

Boise Hawks vs Ogden

  • When: 7:15 p.m., Saturday, July 3 and Sunday, July 4
  • Where: Memorial Stadium
  • Fireworks: Post Game both evenings

Boise

Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration

  • When: Sunday, July 4 - 10:15 p.m.
  • Where: Ann Morrison Park
  • What to Expect: This year, no food or drink vendors will be at the park, but families are welcome to bring their own picnics and drinks. Just remember to keep alcoholic beverages at least 250 feet from the Greenbelt and Boise River. Ann Morrison Park will be closed to non-permitted vehicles from sunrise to sunset. Boise Police will close Crescent Rim to through traffic starting at 6:30 p.m. Residents may access it until 9:30 p.m.
  • Click HERE for more info

Meridian

Meridian July 4th Fireworks

  • When: Sunday, July 4
  • Where: Storey Park
  • What to Expect: Prior to the fireworks show, families are welcome to grab something tasty from one of the food trucks serving up snacks and dinners at Storey Park.
  • Fireworks: Fireworks will be set off from the east side of Meridian Speedway at approximately 10:20 p.m.
  • Click HERE for more info

McCall

Fourth of July Fireworks

  • When: Sunday, July 4
  • Where: Payette Lake
  • What to Expect: Like we expected them two, McCall's going to celebrate the Fourth of July for a week straight. Use the link below to view their 36 page guide!
  • Fireworks: Dusk over Payette Lake
  • Click HERE for more info

Garden Valley/Crouch

Fourth of July Celebration

  • When: Sunday, July 4
  • Where: Various Locations
  • What to Expect: This year's celebration includes breakfast, a flag raising ceremony, duck race in Crouch, 4th of July Parade (dry parade, followed by the wet parade) and of course, fireworks.
  • Fireworks: Dusk at Weilmunster Park
  • Click HERE for more info

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Every beach town has its share of pluses and minuses, which got us thinking about what makes a beach town the best one to live in. To find out, Stacker consulted data from WalletHub, released June 17, 2020, that compares U.S. beach towns. Ratings are based on six categories: affordability, weather, safety, economy, education and health, and quality of life. The cities ranged in population from 10,000 to 150,000, but they had to have at least one local beach listed on TripAdvisor. Read the full methodology here. From those rankings, we selected the top 50. Readers who live in California and Florida will be unsurprised to learn that many of towns featured here are in one of those two states.

Keep reading to see if your favorite beach town made the cut.

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Keep scrolling for 50 vintage photos that show the beauty of America's national parks.

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