Friday to Friday

The Treasure Valley’s making this girl's job a lot easier by offering sooo much to do and see during the summer months. This week’s loaded with options like the Meridian Dairy Days, a Friday night pool party for teens, outdoor movies in Boise and Nampa, free beginner’s hockey and ice skating lessons at Idaho IceWorld, a big cultural opportunity at World Refugee Day at the Grove, as well as African stories at the Library, a Jewish festival on Latah, and a Scandinavian potluck picnic with music and dancing at the Municipal park. You’ll never get bored in Boise.

*Don’t forget to check out the Appetite for Idaho Facebook page, with new things to explore every weekday, and keep a slot on your bookshelf for the first Appetite for Idaho book, coming out this summer. Have fun out there!
~Amy

Meridian Dairy Days
June 20th-21st
Parade Friday at 7pm in Meridian. It began in 1929 as the opening celebration for the Meridian Creamery. 85 years later, there’s a parade, Old McDonald’s Farm, food vendors, entertainment in Storey Park with inflatables and a mechanical bull, a Warrior’s Fun Run on Saturday, a Meridian Pool Bash, Dairy Cattle & Goat Show (Saturday), carnival (Friday-Saturday) and those 13 and under can now race their bikes on the Meridian Speedway track (Saturday at noon). This is one you won’t want to miss.

Friday Night Pool Party
Fri., June 20, 9-10:30 p.m.
Ivywild Pool 2250 Leadville, Boise
Contests, music and fun giveaways for ages 12-17. $2
208-384-1697

Silver Screen on the Green
Fri., June 20, 9 p.m., Sat., July 12, 9 p.m., Fri., Aug. 1, 9 p.m. and Sat., Aug. 16, 9 p.m.
Optimist Park Nampa 16680 11th Ave. N. Ext., Nampa
Blanket, check. Friends and family, check. Camp chair, check. Super-duper large, inflatable screen with fun movies on it, check! Disney’s Frozen is featured this Friday.
Mary Poppins (July 12), Despicable Me 2 (Aug. 1), and The Lego Movie (Aug. 16). FREE
208-461-0823

World Refugee Day
Sat., June 21, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Gather at the Grove Plaza Downtown, where our most recent Idahoans, hailing from a variety of countries and cultures, will share with us things about where they’re from through storytelling, poetry, music and dance, crafts, and of course food. There will even be a naturalization ceremony. The Idaho Office for Refugees (hi, Jodi), and area resettlement agencies are hosting, along with support from the Capital City Market. FREE

Kids Hockey Clinic
Sat., June 21, 11 a.m.
Idaho IceWorld 7072 S. Eisenman Road, Boise
Want to try out hockey? Wait no longer. Everything’s provided to skate and learn for kids 5-13. To register, call 208-608-7716 or register online. FREE
208-331-0044

Learn to Skate for Free
Sat., June 21, 1:30-2 p.m.
Idaho IceWorld 7072 S. Eisenman Road, Boise
Kids four and up can learn to skate, with skates supplied for them to use. Family-friendly, pro instructors. Beginners only, please. Advance registration is required. FREE
208-331-0044

Africa to Idaho
Sat., June 21, 2 p.m.
Boise Public Library Hayes Auditorium 715 S. Capitol Blvd., Boise
Abdi Korane’s inspiring story of how his family got from a Kenyon Refugee camp to Boise is worth the trip. All ages welcome, and cultural food will be involved. FREE
208-384-4076

Idaho Jewish Festival
Sat., June 21, 2-10 p.m.
208-343-6601
Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel 11 N. Latah St., Boise
Ever wondered about the Jewish culture? Wonder no more as you’re immersed in dancing, music, art, films, and performances by world-famous Klezmer musicians Yale Strom and Elizabeth Schwartz. For a complete schedule, visit facebook.com/delidaysboise. FREE

Movies Under the Stars
Sat., June 21, 7 p.m.
Gene Harris Bandshell 700 S. Capitol Blvd., in Julia Davis Park, Boise
A fun community event with more than just movies. Activities and games for all ages at the park. First movie is Despicable Me 2. Sponsored by the Boise Public Schools Education Foundation and the city of Boise. FREE

Scandinavian Midsummer Festival
Sun., June 22, 12:30 p.m.
Municipal Park 500 S. Walnut St., Boise
A potluck picnic at the park! Bring a dessert, main dish, or salad and your own table service. Singing and dancing with music by ScandiBand, the decorating of the traditional midsummer pole, and more. FREE

Biodiversity Basics Summer Camp
June 23-27, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge Visitor's Center 13751 Upper Embankment Road, Nampa
Fourth and fifth graders will hike the habitats, create their own field guides, and see what being a biologist is all about over the course of a week. Register by June 11, 2014. FREE
208-467-9278

Alive After Five: Girls Guns and Glory
Wed., June 25, 5-8 p.m.
Grove Plaza Downtown on Eighth Street between Main and Front streets, Boise
Chill on the sidelines, or splash in the fountain with the kids. No matter what you do, it’s a cool place to be on Wednesdays.With Buckskin Bible Revue. FREE

Sunset Series: Find Your Rhythm
Wed., June 25, 7 p.m.
Jim Hall Foothills Learning Center 3188 Sunset Peak Road, Boise
Free music at sunset…aren’t we lucky to live in the Treasure Valley? Great performers like Carolyn Failla, Lisa Stravers and friends get toes tapping and the audience involved. FREE
208-514-3755

Take Back Your Lunch
Wednesdays, 12-1 p.m. Continues through June 25
Capitol Park 601 W. Jefferson, Boise
Get away from the desk and get into motion during an otherwise average workday.
PacificSource is serving up healthful treats, fruit-infused water, and leads the weekly walking group. Wednesdays through June 25. FREE