This mobile claw machine arcade is bringing fun and magic to your special event
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IDAHO FALLS — A mobile claw machine arcade is creating unforgettable and nostalgic moments for birthdays and special events.
Claw Queen Amusements, an Idaho Falls-based business owned by Morgan Blacksten, brings the magic to your party.
“When people see it operating, they love it. They’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is the coolest thing!'” Blacksten said. “It’s a unique concept.”
The business opened earlier this year and serves Idaho Falls and anywhere in eastern Idaho, according to its Facebook page.
Blacksten brings the experience to you in her custom trailer, fitted with bright, colorful, eye-catching claw machines. She has 10 total claws across five machines, as some machines have multiple claws.
The machines are fully stocked and can have custom-curated prizes. She’s had 3D-printed figures, plushies, fidget toys, candy and slimes for kids. It’s perfect for birthdays, school events, and corporate parties.
And the claw machines aren’t just for children; the adults enjoy them too.
“I could even see it at a wedding. Instead of leaving favors for your guests in a basket, let them win it out of a claw machine. Make it an experience. I even had the thought of a bachelorette party where we can put some fun adult items in the claw machine!” she said with a laugh.
Blacksten would like to eventually have a catalog of local makers, meaning she wants to support local makers instead of ordering all the prizes for the claw machines online.
“That’s the goal … to be able to fill the machines with locally made goods,” she said. “I have an agreement with a girl. She is 10 years old, and she makes scrunchies. Any fabric you want. I can put those in my claw machine easily if somebody wants something like that.”
For the last 12 years, Blacksten has been a licensed hearing aid dispenser. She administered hearing tests and helped with hearing aids and care needs.
Many people locally know her name and recognize her face because of it. She eventually left her job and the claw machine arcade was a dream of hers.
“I’ve always loved claw machines. I’ve always been obsessed,” she said.
She did some market research while she was in Las Vegas for her business to see how all the “clawcades” worked.
“Clawcades have been popping up. They started mostly in Asian countries like Japan, Taiwan and Singapore. They’re very popular. So when I realized that a clawcade, or an arcade that’s completely made out of claw machines, is a thing, and it could be a business, I wanted to be part of that!” Blacksten said.
“There’s actually a very big claw machine world and scene in Las Vegas. We hit basically all of them,” Blacksten continued. “I joke that it’s my gambling addiction.”
Her favorite part about Claw Queen Amusements is watching people win for the first time. She’s heard time and time again that claw machines are rigged or that people love claw machines but never win.
Blacksten said she genuinely wants people to leave happy and with prizes.
“The other thing is, I want to be people’s first experience winning something from a claw machine. So seeing that, giddy, jumping up and down, like, ‘Oh, my gosh, I caught it!’ That dopamine rush is just my favorite thing to see,” she said.
The machines are token-based and use one token per play.
“It’s almost nostalgia. It’s the mental thing of putting in a coin. You keep trying, and it makes you want to keep putting another token in,” she said.
Blacksten said it’s a $300 base price to bring Claw Queen Amusements to an event, which gets everyone two hours of unlimited play inside the trailer.
“I’m calling it my roll-up ready party,” she said. “We basically just open the trailer up and everybody goes to town. So two hours of unlimited playtime, you keep everything you win. If that means you clear out the machines, you clear out the machines!”
If you are interested in learning more about Claw Queen Amusements, you can contact the business at (505) 608-8605 or by emailing morganbart226@yahoo.com.
Blacksten added that she hopes she can get involved in community outreach events and is looking for ways to begin that process.
“Things like the women’s shelter, where there are parents who are struggling to provide fun for their kids. If anybody has any ideas, I would love to get involved in more of that,” she said.
Biz Bits
Rolling on the River steamroller printing returns as part of Idaho Falls Arts Day
The following is a news release from The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho.
IDAHO FALLS– The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho invites the community to experience Rolling on the River, an exciting outdoor steamroller printmaking event taking place on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the museum parking lot as part of the community-wide Idaho Falls Arts Day celebration.
Now in its third year, Rolling on the River transforms a full-sized steamroller into a giant printing press as local artists hand-ink their intricately carved wooden blocks before carefully positioning them on the pavement to create dramatic, oversized prints.
Throughout the day, visitors can create their own custom-printed items using hand-carved blocks generously shared by participating artists.
Bring your own blank T-shirts or purchase a blank tote bag, hat, dish towel, bandana and more from The Art Museum.
“Rolling on the River is one of those rare events where the creative process becomes the performance,” said Executive Director Alexa Stanger. “It’s exciting to watch these monumental prints come to life, but it’s even more rewarding when people can roll up their sleeves, create something of their own, and connect with the artists behind the work.”
Rolling on the River is one of several free art experiences taking place throughout Idaho Falls during the inaugural Idaho Falls Arts Day, a collaborative celebration presented by the Idaho Falls Arts Council, The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho, the Idaho Falls Symphony, East Idaho Jazz Society, and the ARTitorium on Broadway.
Oswald Service & Repair announces grand opening of new Idaho Falls north location
The following is a news release from Oswald Service & Repair.
IDAHO FALLS — Oswald Service & Repair, a trusted name in automotive service since 1939, has announced the grand opening of its third location, Idaho Falls North, on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026.
It will be at 2458 East Iona Road. There will be an Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4 p.m., followed by a community celebration featuring free hot dogs, drinks and treats, games, giveaways, prizes, facility tours and more.
The new facility will expand the company’s ability to serve drivers throughout Idaho Falls and surrounding communities while continuing a family legacy that spans more than eight decades.
“As our existing Idaho Falls and Rexburg locations continued to grow, we found ourselves booked several weeks in advance on a regular basis,” said Kevin Oswald. “We knew our customers deserved better access to the services they rely on, and expanding our existing facilities wasn’t an option. Building a third location allows us to continue serving our community the way we believe it should be served.”
The new facility will feature 12 service bays, 11 vehicle lifts, a dedicated alignment rack, and more than 12,000 square feet of combined shop and customer space.
In addition to increased capacity, the facility will introduce expanded service capabilities, including electric vehicle maintenance and repair, European vehicle service, light-duty diesel repair, advanced diagnostics, and comprehensive maintenance and repair for domestic and Asian vehicles.
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