Cherry Festival heats up the summer in Emmett

The heat wave projected for this week in the Emmett Valley may not be quite as severe as initially thought, but with Cherry Festival opening on Wednesday, expect warmer temperatures and a hot time as you “Let The Cherry Times Roll.”

The annual festival, which has been a staple in the community of Emmett and Gem County as a whole since the 1930s, is expected to be as rollicking as ever.

Held the second weekend of June, it runs Wednesday through Saturday with concerts and the festival carnival unfolding at Emmett City Park. Other celebrations and events during the week take place throughout the community, which is located about 20 miles north of Eagle directly up Highway 16.

Traditionally, over 55,000 people gather over the four-day celebration, for what the festival website describes as “the greatest family-friendly event in Idaho!”

The festival touts its many no-cost features including no admission or gate fees; free daily entertainment and nightly concerts; free parade and children’s parade; and free entry into all contests.

The carnival opens at 1 p.m. on Wednesday along with the entertainment stage and dozens of vendors bringing their annual wares to Emmett.

Thursday is currently expected to be the hottest day of the week with temperatures touching in the low 90s.

Friday may be a little breezy but Saturday is projected to be a clear day with highs in the mid-to-upper 70s. Unexpected thunderstorms are not uncommon in June in Gem County, particularly late afternoon or evening.

Drivers are reminded that one-way streets are in force through Saturday night on 1st, 2nd and 3rd between Hayes and Moffatt avenues, with all parking expected to flow with the new traffic directions.

Parking shuttles will run daily from the Payette River Regional Technical Academy (PR2TA) on SH-16 all four days for those wanting to avoid the congestion downtown. There is no parking in the park this year for festival goers.

For a complete list of events and information for this year’s Cherry Festival, see the flyer attached to this story.