upcoming

2011 North Country Fair

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Mark your calendar now to celebrate this year’s Autumn Equinox at the 38th Annual North Country Fair in Arcata, Calif., on September 17 and 18.
The two-day celebration features nearly 200 craft, food and information booths, two parades and three stages of continuous local entertainment. Admission is free. 
“I’ve only missed the fair once in the 28 years I’ve lived here,” said Arcata resident Sarah O’Leary. “It’s my favorite event of the year. And I always make sure to get there in time for the Samba Parade. It gets me all jazzed up for a weekend of fun.”
Crowds line up around the square when Samba D’Allegria, a local Samba troupe, shakes up the Plaza at 1 p.m. on Saturday with live drumming and costumed dancers performing original choreography. The parade wraps up with a dance jam that welcomes the crowd to join in. On Sunday the All-Species Parade gives children and adults the chance to parade the Plaza dressed as their favorite species. 
Shoppers will find a plethora of high quality handcrafted goods created by bioregional artisans. Pottery, jewelry, clothing, sculpture, garden décor and weavings are just a small sample of the items featured at the fair. Since the North Country Fair requires that all goods offered for sale are hand-crafted by the vendors themselves, the event promotes a healthy local economy.
“I do most of my Christmas shopping here,” said O’Leary  “I can always find things that I’d never find at the Mall, and I like supporting my neighbors. Of course I always find a few things for myself that I can’t resist too!”
One of the first events in California to include recycling as an integral part of its operation the North Country Fair is a Green Event. All food vendors now use compostable or recyclable plates, cups and utensils.
Local bands and musicians rotate throughout both days on two separate stages, including singer-songwriters, the Arcata Interfaith Gospel Choir, and a variety of upbeat dance bands. Additionally, fair-goers are entertained throughout the day with puppet shows, belly dancing and other dance routines, all performed on a central stage on the grass.

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