ISLAND PARK – This Labor Day weekend, over 200 vendors from across the United States will be in Island Park offering a wide variety of food options.
It’s part of the Island Park Festival, which takes place Friday, August 30th from 11am to 8pm and Saturday, August 31st from 10am to 7pm at 4133 Quakie Lane. Sawtelle Mountain Resort and Connie’s Restaurant are sponsors of the event. Click here to learn more.
This year marks the third year of the festival. Entry is free and the atmosphere is family-friendly.
“It’s fun to see what the vendors come up with. We have furniture made from elk antlers,” said Jean Phillips, the event’s organizer. “We have 80-year-old ladies making these beautiful hand-stitched quilts and men making hand knives, leather and wood items.”
There will be kids’ activities, admission fees, a live chainsaw demo, face painting, a mechanical bull and Smokey the Bear. A DJ will also play music.
There are handicrafts, antiques, jewelry, souvenirs and wooden decor.
“It’s a good time to buy unique Christmas gifts,” Phillips said.
The providers come from places like California, Colorado and Montana.
The festival grew bigger every year.
“People love it because it’s a destination. They like it for their family vacation,” Phillips said. “A lot of people from Pocatello and Idaho Falls drive up for a day and then go camping.”
Phillips expects 3,000 to 5,000 visitors. Festivalgoers can park at Sawtelle Mountain Resort and take a shuttle to the festival.
And don’t forget to come with an empty stomach.
“If you want to eat well, come by because there is a wide selection of dishes,” Phillips added.
Offering smoked barbecue and hamburgers, lemonade, cobbler, ice cream, crepes, mini donuts, shaved ice, Dole Whip, Mexican food, kettle corn, corn dogs and more.
Phillips invites visitors and the community to check out the Island Park Festival.
“Just come, have fun, run around and enjoy the day,” she said. “I call it ‘The Biggest Party in Island Park!'”
Phillips also hosted an Island Park Festival on Pioneer Day weekend in July. She said the festivals have become so popular that she will add a new one in West Yellowstone next year on Aug. 8 and 9.
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