Last weekend marked the 33rd year of the Redwood Coast Music Festival in Eureka. The event evolved a long way from its original Dixieland jazz era into what organizer Mark Jansen describes as “a musician’s festival where players collaborate with each other and one that they all want to come to.” “The musical focus of […]
festivals
Posted inGet Out
North Country Fair Rising
“Rise Up!” was the theme for the free and family-friendly 51st annual North Country Fair on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20 and 21, at the Arcata Plaza. The fair’s organizers said the theme was a reminder “that as a community we can work together to celebrate and advocate for a healthy environment, a vibrant alternative […]
Posted inArts + Scene
Photos: Folklife Festival Strings Along
The Humboldt Folklife Society’s 46th annual Humboldt Folklife Festival featured a talented mix of performances by local musicians last week (July 22-26) under the sunny, then foggy, then sunny, then foggy … and finally sunny skies on closing day in Blue Lake. It was another successful festival, said longtime Folklife Festival volunteer and emcee Patrick […]
Posted inArts + Scene
All is Chaos but Oyster Fest is On
Mark your festival calendar for June 14, as the official announcement for the Arcata Bay Oyster Festival is out. As is tradition, the Saturday before Father’s Day will see crowds, vendors and live music all over the Arcata Plaza from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. like hot sauce on a grilled Pacific. The strong of […]
Posted inArts + Scene
Photos: Return of ROTR
For the 35th year, Reggae on the River, which has seen its share of tumult and financial struggle, brought crowds, musicians, artists and vendors to a multi-day party on the North Coast after a five-year absence. From Aug. 2-4, reggae lovers returned to County Line Ranch for camping and live performances, hosted by the Mateel […]
Posted inArts + Scene
Photos: A Fairy Farewell
The fourth annual — and what looks like the final — Enchanting Fairy Festival attracted another “Frolick of Fairies” in wild and magical costumes to the Arcata Plaza on Sunday. “The Fairy Festival has been a labor of love created by our tiny team with limited capacity,” said organizer Shoshanna about why she is stepping […]
Posted inNews
Valley West, Cannabis Taxes, Trail Access and Festivals
Long overlooked Valley West in Arcata is seeing changes. We’ll talk about how residents are organizing and and getting heard. We’ve also got an update on Measure S cannabis taxation and great news for folks with mobility issues who want to hit the trails. Finally, get ready to plan your weekend because Humboldt festivals will […]
Posted inArts + Scene
Photos: Cannifest Manifests
People from all over the U.S. showed up for the Cannifest Humboldt 2023 held last Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 9-10, and there were lots of legal smiles on the 21-or-older attendees at the fenced-in Cannabis Festival and Trade Gathering at Eureka’s Halvorsen Park. A long line-up of live and DJ music on two stages provided […]
Posted inArts + Scene
Photos: Oyster Fest’s Return to the Plaza
The crowds, vendors and bands were back in their old stomping grounds for the Arcata Bay Oyster Festival. The official count of attendees hasn’t been released yet but by noon, the masses lining up for oysters and other festival eats resembled pre-pandemic crowds. Photographer Mark Larson was on the scene for the oyster calling and […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Oyster Fest Hopes to Pack the Plaza Again
The last time revelers swarmed the Arcata Plaza for Oyster Fest was 2019, the pre-pandemic Before Times, when long lines, sunburn and a hangover were the looming fears. Following two years of virtual events and a ticketed in-person event in the Creamery District last June, the annual bivalve bacchanalia is set to take over the […]
Posted inArts + Scene
Photos: Redwood Coast Kite Festival and Artisan Fair
The winds and weather were a bit fickle at the second annual Redwood Coast Kite Festival and Artisan Fair last Saturday and Sunday at Halvorsen Park in Eureka, but Humboldt Kiter organizer Mark Ahrens called the festival a success in every way. Saturday featured early morning drizzle and swirling winds but a large number of kite-flying […]
Posted inArts + Scene
Forest Moon Festival to Celebrate Return of the Jedi’s 40th
We sense something … a presence we have not felt since the premiere of Return of the Jedi in 1983. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Star Wars sequel featuring the moon of Endor, filmed locally in Del Norte and Humboldt counties, the Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commission is putting on its inaugural Forest Moon […]