Hyde Park Street Fair

Hippies in Idaho? Believe it or not every fall a rag tag collection of flower children gather in Boise's North End neighborhood and put on a street fair. There are the obligatory booths selling crystals, tie-dye, peasant garments, spiritualism of every kind, and even free informational booths too. Planned Parenthood is there, along with the Regional Transit Department, Central Valley Health Organization and a few more. There's a children's play area complete with the ever more fantastical inflatable jump houses. They can't even be called jump houses anymore. There's a three story slide and a run down a lane with a bungee cord tied around you one which hardly fit the "jump house" category.
There are two stages for performing arts, and I use the term very loosely. Each year the local belly dancing class puts on a number. We're not talking fashion model waifs here - these women have hips to shake and quite of bit of belly with which to dance. I'm always impressed by how much they enjoy themselves up there on stage. They obviously are a great group of friends who know how to bring some happiness into their lives. Three cheers for the belly dancers - I'm learning how to add that kind of happiness to my own life. The other stage is for musicians and they come in all varieties: folk singers, punk rockers (at least I think that's what they were trying for), rockabilly, rappers and whatnot.
If you get bored of the shopping or the performances you can always sit on the grass and watch the people go by. For some reason the Hyde Park Street Fair brings out the hidden flower child in all Boiseans - especially if you are in high school and too young to have been there yourself.