Month: June 2026

Par Kermani

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho Falls Pride organizers say this year’s celebration is about more than music, vendors and a parade. It’s about creating a place where people feel like they belong.

The 2026 Idaho Falls Pride celebration, themed “Many Roots, One Rainbow,” will take place Friday and Saturday with events designed to bring together members of the LGBTQ+ community, allies and families.

Mer Riah Goodsell-Hall, president of Idaho Falls Pride, said the theme was chosen to recognize people from all backgrounds while emphasizing inclusion.

“I just want everyone to feel included. And especially with the current political climate, you know, I just want to reach out to our folks of different ethnicities and different backgrounds and be like, we hear you. We love you. We accept you,”

According to Goodsell-Hall, Pride gives everyone a sense of belonging, family and community.

The weekend begins Friday with an 18-and-older drag show at the Elks Lodge. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show begins at 8 p.m.

Saturday’s celebration begins with a parade. Lineup starts at 9 a.m., followed by the parade at 10 a.m. The Pride Festival opens at 11 a.m. and continues until 5 p.m. at the Greenbelt. Organizers say the festival will feature nonprofit organizations, community vendors, live entertainment, drag performers and educational presentations from groups including the ACLU and Trans Affirm.

Goodsell-Hall said Idaho Falls Pride also provides private security throughout its events to help attendees feel safe.

“We always have private security at all of our events… it just makes people feel at ease when there’s security there,” she said.

Looking beyond the festival itself, Goodsell-Hall hopes young people throughout eastern Idaho hear one message.

“It gets better,” she said. “Know that there is your chosen family, that you are loved and accepted for who you are. We are here for you. We are proud of you.”

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – The Bannock County Fairgrounds are welcoming back the Mystic Realms Fantasy Fair in Pocatello, with new vendors, entertainers, and fan favorite food trucks to enjoy all weekend.

Most people are familiar with the term “Renaissance Fair,” but organizers with Mystic Realms wanted to open the event to a wider audience and include all fantasy. Some costumes seen at the fair include pirates, fairies, elves, or favorite movie characters from franchises like Star Wars or Star Trek.

“We have a wide variety of vendors and entertainments that bridge the gap of historical and musicians, magicians, fire breathers, all things like that,” said Michael Collins, co-owner of Mystic Realms. “We wanted it to be more all-encompassing, not so strict, to give people the chance to come out and enjoy themselves however they want to be for the weekend.”

This is the fourth year of the fantasy fair, with last year’s event drawing out more than 4,000 people. The organizers said they hope to break that personal record this year. There will be 84 different vendors selling a wide variety of goods like costumes and props, as well as toys and games for families.

There are four different stages at the venue this weekend, with performances happening all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

“We’ll have music, magic shows, the Buhurt fighters, which is armored combat like MMA in armor, so that’s crazy to watch,” said Deneb Edwards, co-owner of Mystic Realms.

Another new attraction at the fair this year is workshops in Hema, or historical European martial arts. Collins compared the craft to fencing, but with long sword sabers. A teacher will be present at the fair to help attendees learn the fighting techniques.

The fair is the only event of its kind in the area, and the organizers said their goal is to bring the fun to Pocatello. Mystic Realms travels around to Utah and Montana, hosting fantasy fairs, and it has become one of the most beloved events during the summer for Pocatello residents.

“The biggest change is in the entertainers, but we also have a bunch of new vendors,” Edwards said. “We have a lot of returning vendors, but new ones as well, so every year it’s a little bit different. Every year you come, you’ll see new things.”

Whether people want to dress in costumes or not, organizers assure the event is for everyone.

“It’s not at all a requirement,” Collins said. “I ran into people dressed like Star Trek characters and Jedi; it’s not just fantasy, it can be everything. It’s a place to come and feel welcome to do that [dress up], there aren’t many places that you can go and dress up besides Halloween, but if you come not in a costume, you’ll still have a lot of fun.”

Fan favorite Wild Noodles announced it will be the last year of participation at the Mystic Realms Fantasy Fair. Organizers are encouraging people to come and get their delicious food while it’s here. The events will continue all weekend, rain or shine.

If you’re unable to visit the fantasy fair this weekend, Mystic Realms has a storefront open year-round near Outer Limits in Pocatello.

For a schedule of the events and more information on vendors, click HERE.

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Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – It’s Pocatello’s turn to enjoy Chipotle Mexican Grill since the Idaho Falls location opened earlier this month. Today, Chipotle announced the Pocatello store will open on Tuesday, June 30.

This location will also feature the “Chipotlane” for quick drive-thru pickup orders. The location is on Alameda road near the Winco and Fred Meyer at 299 E Alameda Rd, Pocatello, ID 83201. It will open every day from 10:45 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Chipotle Mexican Grill on Alameda in Pocatello, Idaho, June 25

Chipotle also announced that both the Idaho Falls and Pocatello locations are hiring employees. Each store will need approximately 30 jobs. For more information about applications and full-time benefits, click HERE.

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