Basques in Boise

An Idaho license plate that depicts a sheep camp on the left and indicates "BASQUE" at the bottom of the plate is at risk of being discontinued if more applications are not received by next March, the Idaho State Dept. of Transportation has notified the Cenarrusa Foundation for Basque Culture.

First approved in 2005, the Basque license plate is a tribute to the Basque heritage of a large part of the Idahoans and Boiseans.

In addition to normal vehicle registration fees, this customized plate costs an additional $35 for the first year with an additional $25 renewal fee each year thereafter. A portion of these fees go to the Cenarrusa Foundation for Basque Culture and are cycled back out to support Basque programs all over the state through annual Community Grants.

During 2008, Foundation funds supported 12 projects – from dance costumes for the Gooding Basque Club’s children’s group, to funds for AV equipment storage in Homedale, to funds for exhibits at the Basque Museum, tuition assistance at the Ikastola, and cable for live broadcasts of games in the Fronton in Boise.

Visit your local county motor vehicle office to purchase the standard issue Basque specialty plate for your vehicle. To order either personalized or sample Basque specialty plates you can look on the Internet at the Idaho Department of Transportation.