North Country Fair at 52

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 divisive times, our local community is strongest when we support each other and stand with one another to work toward a healthy environment, a robust and vibrant local economy and justice for all life on Earth.

That effort to “work toward a healthy environment” was on full display by artists at the fair in a variety of forms, from jewelry made using recycled glass and bike rubber tubes to doormats woven from used crab pot rope.

The North Country Fair itself continues to lead the way as a zero-waste event, with volunteers at stations working to divert as much of the festival waste from the landfill as possible. Attendees were encouraged to help by bringing their own pint cup for beer, a refillable bottle for water and a personal shopping bag while vendors were required to use recyclable containers.

Fort Bragg artist Joe Murphy has created 634,971 ceramic and wood pieces that say “peace” in many languages over the past 35 years and invited customers to “create a peace chain for a peace chain reaction” at the North Country Fair on Sunday. Credit: Photo by Mark Larson

Saturday’s All Species Parade led by the Arcata Playhouse kept alive the memory of the parade’s founder, the late Tim McKay, with a large crowd of participants wearing their favorite animal or species costumes. Organizers expanded parade participation by inviting local groups, schools and organizations to join the salute to nature, with several showing up with signs and banners advocating for the environment. Playhouse Arts held a free mask-making workshop prior to the fair and also offered free masks to borrow before the parade on Saturday.

Sunday featured a special celebration of the 40th anniversary of the annual Samba Parade including Samba da Alegria, led by Neil Bost, and Samba do Mar, led by Maria Vanderhorst, with both groups boosting their numbers to mark the milestone.

This year’s parade theme was “Deep Roots, Wild Spirit.”

Maria Vanderhorst, a dancer with Samba do Mar for 21 years and now its director, led the group in its 40th anniversary around the Arcata Plaza at the North Country Fair on Sunday. Credit: Photo by Mark Larson

“This will be my 21st year participating in the Samba Parade,” Vanderhorst said at the event. “I am forever grateful for this annual tradition which brings together our small but mighty community to honor Brazilian dance and music.”

Also on tap were 46 sets of live music and dancers on three stages around the plaza, an expanded selection of local art, crafts and food vendors and activities for children.

Established as a community event in 1974, the North Country Fair remains true to its roots of “celebrating and advocating for a healthy environment, cooperation and community, a vibrant alternative economy and justice for every person and all forms of life.”