Saturday, Sept. 24, and Sunday, Sept. 25

More than 3,500 people are expected to attend the Thousand Springs Festival this year at the Ritter Island unit of Thousand Springs State Park, near Hagerman. They’ll have about 80 artists displaying their work, live music, wagon rides around the island, tours of the Minnie Miller dairy barn, birds of prey, excellent food vendors and more!  

“It’s a fun outing for the whole family,” says Carolyn White, executive director of the Magic Valley Arts Council. “It’s a beautiful setting there on Ritter Island, there’s great food – Basque food, fresh trout, and several wineries participate. It’s just a lot of fun to spend the whole day there.”

The Thousand Springs Festival is one of those must-see, must-do events in the Southern Idaho region each year. This year is the 25th year the event has been held. There is entrance fee of $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and $3 for children aged 5-12. No charge for infants and toddlers. The event is a fund-raiser for the Magic Valley Arts Council.

“Love the pleasant atmosphere, beautiful scenery and talented artists. A must-go every year!” says Tiffany Marie on the Thousand Springs Festival Facebook page.

In late September, the temperatures will be ideal during the day. People can not only visit all the artist booths, but also go for a hike around the island, take a tour of the dairy farm, go for a wagon ride, or SUP, kayak or canoe in the gin-clear water of Thousand Springs and do laps around the island.

Olin and Shelley Gardner of Idaho Guide Service will be there with rental boating gear in terms of canoes, kayaks and SUPs.

There also will be live music on Saturday and Sunday.