Concertgoers heading to see Bailey Zimmerman at the Ford Idaho Center on June 5 will be able to kick off the venue’s amphitheater season early with a tailgate-style pre-show party featuring a live DJ, food and drinks, prizes and giveaways, and photo opportunities.

The Ford Idaho Center is hosting its first-ever amphitheater season kickoff party ahead of Zimmerman’s show, partnering with CBH Homes.

Arielle McCormick, CBH Homes’ Director of brand and vision, said the company has long focused on making people feel welcome at community events.

“As Idaho’s number one home builder, we’ve been welcoming Idahoans home for 34 years,” McCormick said. “Making people feel welcomed and ready for fun at whatever event they are here for.”

Organizers said the pre-show party will include a live DJ to keep the energy up before the concert, along with food, drinks, prizes, giveaways and photo ops. Gypsy Tattoo will also be on site offering free flash tattoos inspired by live music.

“I’ve heard they are real tattoos, real flash tattoos, first come, first serve,” McCormick said. “So get here at four-thirty on June 5th.”

The kickoff party starts at 4:30 p.m., hours before showtime. The event is only for Bailey Zimmerman ticket holders. Tickets have not sold out, but organizers say supplies are limited.

BOISE, ID (CBS2) — As Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month comes to a close, Idaho safety officials are urging drivers and riders to stay vigilant as the “100 Deadliest Days” of summer begin — a stretch when roads see more traffic, more inexperienced drivers, more speeding and drunk driving, and more motorcycles.

Idaho State Police Sgt. Andrew Nakashima said troopers have seen an increase in deadly motorcycle crashes.

“We’ve seen a spike in fatality crashes, at least motorcycle crashes,” Nakashima said. “One of the things I’d like to tell people is I really appreciate the value of ‘Look Twice Save a Life’ campaign, but motorcycles need to do their part too.”

Nakashima said everyone has a role in preventing crashes, with drivers staying alert for motorcycles and riders preparing with proper training, awareness and gear.

Sunshine Beer, director of Idaho STAR, emphasized the importance of protective equipment and visibility.

Idaho AAA, the Idaho Transportation Department, and Idaho State Police are all reminding drivers to be aware of motorcycles on the road as the summer travel season gets underway. (Dakota Castets-Didier/CBS2)

“Always wear the gear, can’t overstate how important that is for comfort, protection, visibility,” Beer said. “When you’re in traffic, make sure you place yourself where you can be seen. When drivers hit a rider, they don’t intend to, but they often don’t see the rider…”

The Idaho Transportation Department said 2026 has seen a decrease in fatalities so far, potentially tied to high gas prices reducing the number of trips. But the agency warned that could change as summer continues.

Idaho AAA, the Idaho Transportation Department, and Idaho State Police are all reminding drivers to be aware of motorcycles on the road as the summer travel season gets underway. (Dakota Castets-Didier/CBS2)

“As of Monday this week, we had 66 lives taken on our roads this year, that is fewer than this time last year,” said Josephine Middleton of ITD. “We do know the price of gas has an impact on the number of trips, therefore that’s probably having a direct impact on the number of crashes.”

Officials said the reminders are simple: drivers should slow down, stay sober, and watch for motorcycles — and everyone should “look twice” to help prevent deadly collisions.

Idaho AAA, the Idaho Transportation Department, and Idaho State Police are all reminding drivers to be aware of motorcycles on the road as the summer travel season gets underway. (Dakota Castets-Didier/CBS2)

Josh Ritter, a professional songwriter and graduate of Moscow High School, will headline the America250 in Idaho celebration in Boise on July 4, event organizers announced Tuesday at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise.

Members of the America250 in Idaho Advisory Council unveiled the details about the patriotic celebrations they have been planning and promoting in Boise – and across the state – to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

For the July 4 America250 in Idaho Capitol Celebration at Cecil D. Andrus Park in downtown Boise, planned events include a veterans breakfast, the Idaho 4th of July parade that you can watch live on CBS2 which includes military fly over, a performance by the Army Band, food trucks and concerts by Idaho musicians.

In addition to Ritter, artists scheduled to perform include the Afrosonics, Jeff Crosby and Chad Marvin, officials said.

“We finally have a run of show and (confirmation of) who will be performing,” Jesse Barcroft, the chief of staff for the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office, told the advisory council. “I’m really excited about it; I think that Idahoans are going to be really excited about it. It’s a really cool lineup.”

In addition to planning and promoting the celebration in Boise, members of the advisory council have also approved grants of up to $2,500 each to help local America250 celebrations in communities across the state.

Organizers initially awarded grants to 29 different Idaho arts and nonprofit organizations, but changed gears by cancelling those grants in March 2025 to focus narrowly on patriotic celebrations of America’s founding and 250th birthday, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported.

So far, members of the advisory council reported that they have spent $474,425.51 and have $54,967.53 in available funding on the bottom line.

For more information about America250 in Idaho celebrations in communities across the state, visit america250.idaho.gov.