Island Park celebrates the end of the summer season with two great events

By Jeannette Boner, Aug 31, 2022, Jackson Hole News & Guide

Now that the crowds are clearing out and tourist traffic is easing after summer’s heated rush, maybe it’s time to take a drive over the hills and through the woods to Island Park, Idaho.

This Labor Day weekend the Island Park Festival will welcome a host of vendors, crafters and artists just off Highway 20 a few miles north of the Osborne Bridge over the beautiful Henrys Fork. Set along Quakie Lane on the west side of the highway, the event will take run 3-7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday. There will be also fun raffle prizes and food vendors.

The following week, the Friends of Harriman State Park will host their eighth annual “Wine in the Woods” fundraiser starting at 4 p.m. Sept. 10 at Harriman State Park.

The event works to support the Harriman Trails Initiative. After completing the installation of the new Ranch Bridge, the nonprofit has partnered with the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation to launch a five-year project focused on improvements to the park’s trail system. Phase one includes rerouting, re-engineering and resurfacing the John Muir ADA Interpretive Trail, replacing the lower Thurman Creek Bridge and updating trail signs.

Wine in the Woods is hosted at the historical Boys House overlooking the Henrys Fork. Guests can enjoy a variety of wine and beer tastings, light appetizers and guitar music by Scott Balsai.

There also will be a silent auction of artwork, chances to win dining certificates for Henry’s Fork Lodge and TroutHunter, and a live auction of an imperial bottle of Paradigm Cabernet Sauvignon and a day of fishing for two with guide Blakely Epperson.

Also as part of this year’s event there will be an online virtual auction. It will launch Sept. 9 and remain open until 4 p.m. Sept. 17.

Tickets for the evening are $30 in advance or $35 at the door. For information visit FriendsOfHarriman.org.