Festival draws a big crowd to Island Park

ISLAND PARK, Idaho (KIFI)- It happens twice in the summer, the Island Park Festival brings large crowds into the area on Pioneer Day, and Labor Day weekends. The festival is a big craft fair as well, giving local vendors the chance to share their work.

"We're able to pick the best of the best because there's a lot of people that want in. And it's been fun though, but we were able to put all the food trucks down the one road and then we still put vendors on the road and, and then we filled the park too," said Jean Phillips the director of the Island Park Festival.

The festival goes through Friday and Saturday on the two weekends that they run. They also try to find things that would spark interest from all ages.

"We've got activities for the kids. We've got Smokey the Bear, we've got a bull over there. They can ride. We have face painting, we have a lot of fun kids activities too," Phillips said.

The festival got its start two years ago and since has grown rapidly thanks in part to the prime location of Island Park that helps drive the festival's success and increase tourism in the area.

"It's been fun because people on their way to Yellowstone, they'll stop by and enjoy it and it will bring people into the area. The hotel and restaurants are really happy that we're here because it helps patronize Island Park. People then become familiar with our beautiful area. It's beautiful up here. It's so overall, it's been well attended and things," Phillips said.

For vendors taking part in the festival, the weekend was great for business.

"We've had tons of fun meeting lots of people, travelers, locals, lots of visitors anyway, and it's been pretty busy this year. Last year it was a little bit smaller, maybe a lot smaller. So it's been really exciting and the creativity that the people are crafters around here is super awesome," said Tara Galbraith owner of the Island Park Soveniour Shop.

"It's been pretty good. It's been pretty steady. Last night (Friday), kind of got a little rained out, but Saturday has done pretty good," said Earl Romriell with 4R Custom Leather Goods.

Galbraith lives in Island Park and was excited that people were enjoying the festivities and the scenery of Island Park.

"I love it. I always say, come see the magic. So I always invite people to come up here and enjoy our little magical area," Galbraith said.

For those visiting the area and seeing the festivities was a great experience.

"We are here again this year and so we thought we'd come over just for an hour while we are standing just right across the road. So it's good a lot of nice stuff," said Virgil Morningstar.

Morningstar lives in Wyoming and Island Park is a halfway point for him to meet his family. He says coming to the area for the past two years, has been memorable, and seeing the festival has been fun.

"There's a lot of nice tents here. The nice metal art over there. And my wife actually bought a ring," Morningstar.

Everyone who went to the festival had a good time.