Crazee Daze kicks off this Saturday

This year's Crazee Daze carnival will run from Thursday to Monday in Railroad Park.

A Mountain Home tradition resumes as the community celebrates this year's Crazee Daze festival on Saturday.

Sponsored by the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce, the event represents "a celebration of spring and summer" while fostering the spirit of community involvement, said Jessica Smith, chairperson for the downtown festival.

"It's something for people to enjoy" while encouraging individuals to visit the various businesses and shops in this part of town. It also gives non-profit organizations and charities a chance to spread the word on their efforts here and across southern Idaho.

In conjunction with Crazee Daze, the Chamber has brought in the Funtime Carnival Company and its lineup of rides and entertainment to town from Thursday to Monday. Set up in Railroad Park, the carnival's return to the downtown area is part of an ongoing effort to revitalize the merchants' promotion during Crazee Daze, chamber representatives said.

Featuring an assortment of rides, games and attractions, advanced ride tickets remain on sale this week. Sold in advance for $15 per person, the tickets are available at the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce, Grinde's Diner, Lucky Perk, Paul's Market, Stoaked Frozen Yogurt and Taco John's. The daily ride packages are also available at the carnival midway for $20 per person with individual ride tickets also available.

This year, the Chamber has restored many of the "old day" attractions that made Crazee Daze so popular in the past, according to representatives from the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce. Traditionally, booths, food, entertainment and amusement rides filled the city's downtown area during the Saturday Crazee Daze.

After an absence spanning several years, aspects of those familiar sights and sounds returned to this part of Mountain Home in 2011.

Among those sites were the vendor sidewalk booths and merchant sales on Saturday -- an aspect that was once a hallmark of the yearly celebration, chamber representatives said.

This year, more than 30 vendors representing various crafters, local shops, home-based businesses and charities have already signed up to open booths across the downtown area on Saturday with more expected to apply as the date approaches. Chamber members can set up a booth for free. The cost is $10 for non-profit organizations, $25 for crafters and $50 for non-Chamber members.

Crazee Daze typically runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day with most activities focused on North 2nd East and adjoining side streets. Organizers hope to fill the downtown area from East Jackson Street to American Legion Boulevard with various booths and events.

In addition, a full day's worth of entertainment is planned for Saturday.

Those taking the stage starting at 10 that morning include local bands, cheerleaders as well as martial arts and fitness instructors.

Meanwhile, Activities normally held in the park during the weekend, including the Farmer's Market on Saturday, will move that weekend to the El Rancho Parking Lot and return to Railroad Park after Crazee Daze.

For more information on Crazee Daze or to reserve a booth space, call the Chamber office at 587-4334.