When you play the new Idaho-themed Monopoly game, you don’t stay at pricey Boardwalk – you’re at Micron instead. Sun Valley Resort replaces Pennsylvania Avenue, and instead of Marvin Gardens, it’s Monsanto Corp.

St. Charles Place has been replaced by the Cataldo Mission, and instead of Connecticut Avenue, there’s the potato. And forget those four railroads – instead you’ll see Idaho’s four largest universities, the three state U’s and BYU-Idaho.

What kind of alternate Idaho universe is this? It’s a fundraiser from the Idaho/Eastern Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation, to benefit the group that works to provide sight and hearing assistance to those in need. It’s offered through USAOPOLY, a group that’s under license from Hasbro.

“We tried to create a game that would represent the whole state of Idaho and show off its beauty, which I’ve come to love,” foundation trustee Ron Gill of Idaho Falls said in a news release. “I really think we have succeeded with this unique game.”

The Idaho-opoly board that resulted is a mixture of “sponsored” and “non-sponsored” places and features – with corporations like Micron and resorts like Sun Valley competing in a silent auction for their spaces, with the donations going to the foundation. That’s why there’s a space for “Yellowstone Bear World,” Great Floors, and Rexburg-based Pinnacle Pensions (their spot replaces “Water Works”).

Even the playing pieces are either Idaho-ized, Lion-ized or sponsored – they include a popcorn bag sponsored by Reel Theatres, a Key Bank symbol, a Spuddy Buddy, a Lion, and a guide dog for the blind. The Idaho-opoly money, thanks to a “considerable donation,” bears the logo of Citi Group.

The center of the board features a scenic photo of the Sawtooths, and an array of Idaho photographers and artists donated their work to portray Idaho features, places and symbols. Due out Sept. 1, the game will be sold in gift shops and by order from the Lions at $27 a pop for pre-orders, or $35.95 later.

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