4th of July is Booze-Free in McCall

The atmosphere last year got a little rowdy, so the organizers of the 4th of July fun this year in McCall decided to take alcohol out of the equation.

McCall's North Beach drew about two thousand people for the 4th of July in 2015, and Boise Weekly points out it turned into a rowdy, spring-break-ish kind of party.  Things got a little out of hand in 2008 too, when sheriff's deputies on patrol boats said they had glass beer bottles tossed in their direction.  City leaders in McCall wanted to be on the safe side this year, and that's why they made the decision to ban alcohol.

There's no drinking in or around Payette Lake today, but there will be a city-sponsored beer garden in McCall's Depot Park.  And of course the bars and restaurants will be open and serving.

It sounds like there will be plenty of alcohol-free fun in McCall, including bounce houses and a water slide for the kids at Legacy Park, an art and craft walk at Brown Park, food vendors on East Lake Street, and fireworks at dusk from the shoreline of Payette Lake.

There's plenty happening a little closer to home too.  Events are planned at Storey Park in Meridian, Memorial and Brother's Parks in Caldwell, and at Ann Morrison Park in Boise this afternoon and this evening.

Wherever you celebrate, have a safe and happy 4th.