Overcast skies and even a few early in the day sprinkles served as a gentle reminder the change of seasons is underway for the large crowds attending the 52nd annual North Country Fair last weekend in Arcata. Alex Ozaki-McNeill, director of the fair, said this year’s theme of “Stronger Together” was selected because, in these […]
Mark Larson
Posted inViews
The Good and Bad News at CPH’s Fall Welcome
After attending decades of welcome-back fall meetings at the former Humboldt State University, I found it interesting to watch President Richard A. Carvajal at Cal Poly Humboldt, the ninth president and first Latino to lead CPH after being president of Valdosta State University from 2017 to 2025, in his first ever Fall Welcome event on […]
Posted inGet Out
Corkscrew Trees and a Crooked Trail
Perfect weather on Aug. 1 and a desire to be among the first to walk the newly opened Crooked Trail brought my wife and me to the adjacent and newly open-to-the-public ‘O Rew Redwoods Gateway — a 125-acre Yurok Tribe-owned and managed preserve just north of Orick. The new entry gate read, “Welcome to ‘O […]
Posted inNews
Outlaw Rodeo at the Fair Marred by Two Horse Deaths
Without horse racing for its second year in a row, the 130th annual Humboldt County Fair replaced the thunder of hooves on the track with Saturday’s Outlaw Rodeo College Invitational. While it attracted a strong crowd as the largest single-day event, the injury and subsequent deaths of two horses cast a pall over the festivities […]
Posted inGet Out, Life + Outdoors
Coming Together for Obon
A large crowd showed up under lightly smokey skies from wildfires on Sunday afternoon at Arcata’s Creamery District to celebrate Obon. The Japanese Buddhist festival honoring the spirits of one’s ancestors is a recent tradition in Humboldt, having begun locally in 2022. After opening shakuhachi (Japanese flute) music by Rick Kruse, emcee Marylyn Paik-Nicely welcomed […]
Posted inGet Out
Annie and Mary and Ladies and Crows
The Mad River Old Crows (aka the Old Crows), a Blue Lake men’s group/social club “with no hierarchy, agenda or rules,” emerged on the scene 13 years ago to enjoy each other’s company and to donate their skills, money and energy to community projects. In recognition of their many contributions, the Blue Lake Chamber of […]
Posted inNews
Folk in the Fresh Air
To see all 25 local bands that performed at the Humboldt Folklife Festival this year, it took an eight-day week — fitting, given the two sets of Beatles sing-alongs. Mother Nature cooperated with clear skies and warm temperatures out in Blue Lake from Saturday, July 18, to Saturday, July 25, when attendees showed up for […]
Posted inFront Row
Prodigal Fun
Even if you don’t have fond flashback memories of the late Joan Schirle in the role of Mary Jane and the music from the 2011 production of Mary Jane the Musical, I highly recommend seeing Mary Jane the Musical 2: The Grandson at the outdoor Dell’Arte Amphitheater stage in Blue Lake. (Dress warmly, bring a […]
Posted inArt Beat
Fired Up for Flatmo Alley
Three weeks ago, local artist Duane Flatmo went public on social media with some personal health news and an invite to a June 13 party in Eureka: “Hope to see you at this event. Some of you might know already that I have been given some troubling health news and would love to see friends […]
Posted inArt Beat
Open Studios 2026
In case you missed a chance to visit some of the studios and galleries of the 150 local artists participating in the 26th annual North Coast Open Studios event last weekend, no worries. There’s still time to visit many of their studios and galleries located between Eureka and Trinidad and east to Willow Creek this […]
Posted inGet Out
High Spirits and Higher Winds at the Kite Festival
Wind gusting from 20 to 30 mph and faster made for very challenging kite flying at the free, family-friendly fifth annual Redwood Coast Kite Festival and Artisan Fair held along the Humboldt Bay waterfront at Halvorsen Park in Eureka on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17. The Family Fly kite field open for all […]
Posted inArts + Scene
‘A Living Celebration’ of Cinco de Mayo
The third consecutive year of the Cinco de Mayo cultural celebration at the Old Town Gazebo in Eureka on Saturday, May 2, offered the large crowd in attendance an opportunity to experience Mexican culture and heritage, eat traditional Mexican food, and enjoy Latine dance and music. Family-friendly fun for children included clowns/payasitos, a bounce house, […]