Going out with a bang: Melaleuca says 2026 could mark final Freedom Celebration in Idaho Falls
Par Kermani
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — One of eastern Idaho’s largest Fourth of July traditions could be coming to an end.
Melaleuca announced Thursday that the 2026 Melaleuca Freedom Celebration and Riverfest are expected to be held for the final time unless a suitable new venue becomes available.
“This is going to be our last year for the foreseeable future,” said Melaleuca Executive Chairman Frank VanderSloot. “…This event has been wonderful. I want to say thank you to the entire Idaho Falls community for the wonderful support that we’ve had over the years. Families from all over the country have come to Idaho Falls to be home, a home in Idaho to witness this.”
According to the company, development at Snake River Landing is making it increasingly difficult to continue hosting an event that draws an estimated 220,000 spectators and requires extensive parking, traffic management and public safety infrastructure.
“The venue at Snake River Landing has allowed Melaleuca to produce one of the five largest shows in the nation,” VanderSloot said. “Unfortunately, the property that has been used for the event is now being developed into housing and industry.”
The Freedom Celebration has been held at Snake River Landing for the past decade after previously being hosted at Ravsten Stadium and later near the Johns Hole boat dock along the Idaho Falls Greenbelt.
Melaleuca said it is not currently aware of another venue in Bonneville County capable of meeting the event’s size, safety, parking and traffic needs. Company officials said creating a suitable replacement venue could require significant public investment and several years of development.
“We’d like to find a way that we could pick it up again,” VanderSloot said. “But for the foreseeable future, at least for the next couple of years, even if we found the venue today, it would take a couple of years and an investment of well over $10 million to prepare a spot that we could do this.”
City and County leaders react
Melaleuca said if the community is able to develop another suitable venue in the future, the company would be willing to continue providing the fireworks show.
Idaho Falls Mayor Lisa Burtenshaw said the city will adapt and continue to champion its Fourth of July celebration.
“I think that it is great that it is a moment for them to do their biggest and their best celebration. It matches perfectly with the 250th anniversary, and I think that I believe Frank Vandersloot when he says that they are willing to participate if another venue comes available,” said Idaho Falls Mayor Lisa Burtenshaw. “I just think that right now, with the growth in the city and in the county, that it will go back to the inner city, more of the Johns Hole Bay area, and we will have a great Fourth of July next year as well.”
County leaders are also invested in celebrating Independence Day and our nation’s incredible legacy.
“We are working closely with the city to make sure the next 4th of July is maybe not quite as big, but equally as much fun and equally as great a tradition for our families as it has been since I was born and raised here in Idaho Falls myself,” said Bonneville County Commissioner Michelle Mallard.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the event’s future, organizers say this year’s show will be the largest in the celebration’s 33-year history.
After 33 years, the annual Melaleuca Freedom Celebration is preparing to have nearly 19,000 explosions to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.
The July 4 fireworks display will feature 18,915 shells, making it the largest fireworks show west of the Mississippi River and one of the five largest displays in the nation, according to Melaleuca. The show is scheduled to begin at 10:03 p.m. at Snake River Landing.
“18,915 shots in the air – all choreographed to music,” VanderSloot said. “Thirty-one-minute tribute. Doesn’t seem long enough for us to just take a minute and say thank you to the men and women who gave their lives so that we can be a free nation.”
