Local EVENTS on the Northern California Redwood Coast

Check out the grassroots events, farmers markets, museum’s, art gallery’s and local iconic businesses that lend flavor to the local culture.

Kinetic Sculpture Race

Memorial Day Weekend 27-29MAY19, 3 days

Introduced in 1969 by local sculpture, Hobart Brown, there is no other Humboldt County event that rivals the Kinetic Sculpture Race in creativity.
This so called ‘race’, of competing inventors, attempt to just cross the finish line on historic Main Street in Ferndale. A win is a win..

Since 1969, Kinetic Sculptures, human powered all terrain art vehicles confront obstacles traversing roads, sand, mud and water over the 50 mile race route. 

Most kinetic sculptures, besides pilots, require an entourage of peons and a pit crew, tools handy, to maintain, repair and sometimes manually move the vehicle.

                                    Day 1  (B.Y.O.B)

The ‘race’ , begins from the Arcata Plaza at high noon. The kinetic sculptures break south to the beach at Manila where they are confronted by several miles
of sand and dunes. This is the first opportunity  for the artists and engineers to test the ‘kinetic’ ability of their wacky  mobiles.

Night 1 the party continues at Halvorson Park in Eureka. Racers get ready for Day 2.

Day 2 (B.Y.O.B)
The ‘race’/party continues as pilots launch their wacky all terrain kinetic sculptures into the water at the Humboldt Bay waterfront.
After exiting the water further south, a one mile accent up and then down the steep Hookton Mountain, a 7% grade, is the next challenge encountered by the pilots,
who have been grinding.

Day 3  (B.Y.O.B.)
The ‘race’ begins at Crab Park and proceeds over land before crossing the Eel River under Fernbridge.

The final leg to the finish line on
Ferndales’ historic Main Street is an all out push over the cow pastures of Eel River Valley. 

 

 

 

 

The wacky, weary and disheveled pilots will continue the party, celebrating
after the race, before attending the Finals Awards Dinner.

Pony Express Days
McKinleyville, CA
29MAY-02JUNE19

The equestrian town of McKinleyville,  CA  referred to ‘Oklahoma By The Sea’ by the locals is a family friendly town
Pony Express Days is a multi day event that commences with a fire department skills competition exhibition. A chili cook off contest occurs the following day.
A Pancake breakfast and the Pony Express Parade highlight the third days activities. The Pony Express Festival at Pierson Park features food and live music from noon to 4:00 pm. 

21st Annual North Coast Open Studios

First two weekends every June
01-02JUNE19
525 7th St
Eureka, California
707-834-6460

Humboldt County is home to more artisits per capita than anywhere else in California!
Open Studios welcomes all artists from Humboldt County.
During the first two weekends every June, 100+ Humboldt County artists open their studios to the public.

Come and tour 40 local artist studios from Fortuna to Trinidad!

Founded in 1998, by artists Sasha Pepper and Susan Fox, the Open Studios event originated in San Francisco and migrated to Humboldt County when Sasha relocated here.
The initial event has grown from 50 participating artists to 120 in 2005 and to the current 150+ artists in 2018.
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The Annual North Coast Open Studios event has reached Southern Humboldt and has expanded to two weekends long in duration!

Open Studios blossomed and became a destination tourism event after emphasis was placed on artist participation, reaching out to new artist participants,
the help of local grant funding and guidebook distribution.
The studios in the Art Center Building a.k.a. the historic Buhne Building has been the local venue for past Open Studio events.

Artist-volunteers do the heavy lifting and deserve credit for the success and growth of North Coast Open Studios.

They assist the coordinator, pour wine, help facilitate other event fundraisers and distribute guidebooks.

Pick up your 2019 guidebook and take the opportunity to speak with artists, browse and purchase their art!

Benbow 43rd Summer Arts & Music Festival

Sat, Jun 1 – Sun, Jun 2
445 Lake Benbow Drive,
Garberville, California 95542

The Mateel Community Center presents the Benbow 43rd Summer Arts & Music Festivalat Benbow Lake State Recreation Area, located two mile south of Garberville CA.
This state park surrounds Benbow lake, a reservoir on the south fork of the Eel River

West Coast style reggae bands and local favorites will entertain from four different stages.

That’s a dance party!

There will be family friendly activities, a kid zone, 150+ craft vendors, food concession stands, belly dancing and much more.

Enjoy a weekend of melodic West Coast style reggae bands and sunny splendor swimming, basking and baking on the Eel River.

Humboldt Crabs Baseball – Arcata
707-826-2333

Founded in 1945 by Lou Bonomini, the Humboldt Crabs are the oldest collegiant summer baseball team in America. The Crabs are independent and not affiliated with any farm, semi pro minor or major league teams.
Consisting of NCAA eligible west coast players, the Crabs provide the local community with outdoor family friendly entertainment and high quality baseball. Beginning in June and running through early August,
there are ample opportunities to make it out to the park. Bring the kids and spend the day with the Crabs at the Arcata Ballpark for a double header.

 

Summer Concert Series Eureka

June – August, Thursdays
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Old Town, Foot of C Street
Eureka, CA
(707) 442-9054

The annual Summer Concert Series highlights the summer season in Old Town, exhibiting a wide genre of music.

Everything from Classic Rock to Reggae and Cajun Zydeco, are featured at this popular event that includes 49 blocks in the historic Old Town section of Eureka.
Country, R & B/Funk, Blues and Jazz bands are featured. These concerts are free, family friendly and begin at 6:00 pm, ending at 8:00 pm.
Check out the great shops restaurants and Fisherman’s Plaza boardwalk while you are entertained.

Beginning in the mid 1800’s the Carson Mansion and other structures constructed along the Eureka Waterfront, providing much needed services for miners and
prospectors during the the booming gold rush occuring on the Klamath and Trinity Rivers. Humboldt Bay was the source of all commerce and the foundation on which the city was built
An infrastructure was already in place for the timber barons of the late 1800’s to exploit. It was only then that a second ‘gold rush’, the timber industry, evolved and harvesting
old growth redwood fueled a booming local economy.

 Redwood Run Motorcycle Rally

07-08JUNE19, 2 days
Richardson Grove Campground
750 Hwy 101
Garberville, Ca. 95542

The 42nd annual Redwood Run will be  occurring in the heart of the redwoods at Richardson Grove.

This self contained motorcycle rally is an old school event.  Camp sites with showers are available.  A hearty line up of bands will perform day and night. Bike and people contests, great food and spirits guarantee a fun filled weekend.

The wet T-shirt contest will be very competitive and judged accordingly..

Richard Grove State Park is located on Humboldt Countys’ southern most border, 75 miles south of Eureka. It comprises 2000 acres.

Portuguese Holy Ghost Celebration

08-09JUNE2019, 2 days
Humboldt County Fairgrounds & Portuguese Hall
1250 5th Street
Ferndale, CA
707-786-4477 |

Queen Isabel, the revered 14th century queen of Portugal is the inspiration of the Portuguese Holy Ghost Celebration.

An advocate for the poor, Queen Isabel focused on feeding citizens in need.
Consequently, all Holy Ghost events feature an elaborate feast to carry on the virtuous tradition of feeding hungry citizens.

The 95th Annual Holy Ghost Celebration celebrates the history of the Portuguese Azorean culture in the Victorian Village of Ferndale, a rural farming community and agricultural center of the 1800’s.
Holy Ghost Celebrations across the state of California have occurred since the Portuguese immigration to California in the 1800’s.
The hard working Portuguese are recognized historically as an important group of people.
Arriving immigrants found employment on dairy ranches and in the timber industry  later in the century.
For 100+ years, Holy Ghost Celebrations have provided the opportunity for Portuguese community members to meet each other and share their unique traditions.

Scheduled Activities include a Sunday parade between Portuguese Hall and the Assumption Church, an auction, a dance at the Veterans Building and Saturday rosary.
Learn about the rich history, culture and music of Portugal.

The Scotia Band, a marching band will be making their debut at the Portuguese Holy Ghost Celebration.

Savour the aroma of sweet bread and a delicious bean and linguica dinner!

The 95th Annual Portuguese Holy Ghost Celebration celebrates the history of the Portuguese Azorean culture in the Victorian Village of Ferndale, a rural farming community and agricultural center of the 1800’s.

Wicked Monster Truck Tour

08JUNE19
Redwood Acres Fairgrounds Racetrack
3750 Harris St, Eureka, CA 95503
(707) 445-3037

Be on the cutting edge and attend the first Wicked Monster Truck Tour at the Redwood Acres Fairgrounds Racetrack!

Born in 2011, the mission of the Wicked Monster Truck Tour is to provide world class family entertainment. 

Powered by the leader in R/C Technology, full size TRAXXAS Trucks are usually scattered around the race track by the conclusion of the competition.

The need for speed has been a human yearning that dates back to the early nineteenth century and our rich heritage of bootlegging during prohibition.

Meet the drivers prior to the competition and celebrate afterwards at the post event party.

 

Tour of the Unknown Coast

08JUNE19
Humboldt County Fairgrounds
707-845-6117

The 41st annual Tour of the Unknown Coast will have improved road conditions in several historically challenging sections.
Avenue of the Giants Century is a new section of the race route this year that has smooth pavement.

Touted as one of the most difficult 100 mile races, it also one of the most beautiful rides anywhere.

Shorter distance races, 100K, 50 mile, 22 mile and 8 mile rides will be run also.

Post ride festivities will feature live music performed by local musicians.

The Lost Coast nomenclature refers to the depopulation that occurred in the region during the 1930’s.
It is the most least accessible, undeveloped and remote portion of the California coast. 

Because of the geo-technical challenges  of building cost efficient roads through the rugged, sheer cliffs of the Kings Range, the small towns of the Lost Coast,  are strictly grassroots communities.

Art & Wine in the Park

Recurring on the 2nd Sunday of June
Rohner Park
5 Park Street
Fortuna, CA
707-725-9261 |

The Fortuna Rotary Club sponsors the 23rd annual Art & Wine in the Park at Rohner Park.

Wine, fine art and music are integrated nicely at Rohner Park, a picturesque park setting, surrounded by redwoods.
Local wineries and volunteers donate wine and time to support this event, presenting wine makers and artists an opportunity to showcase their wine and song.