Humboldt Countys first residents hailed from the Yurok, Karuk, Wiyot, Chilula, Whilkut and Hupa tribes, among others. They settled on the coast and along the banks of the Trinity and Klamath rivers. The county was created in May 1853 and derives its name from Humboldt Bay, which was discovered by a sea otter hunting party in 1806 and rediscovered in 1849. Douglas Ottinger and Hans Buhne entered the bay in 1850 and named it in honor of naturalist and explorer Baron Alexander von Humboldt.
Del Norte County has been home to the Yurok and Tolowa peoples for thousands of years. Legendary explorer Jedediah Smith is credited with being the first non-native to enter the region, in 1828. Gold strikes on the Klamath and Smith Rivers in the 1850s led to the settlement of the county, which was created in March 1857. Its name, meaning the north, is derived from its position in the northwest corner of the state.
Events
4/28-9/23: Samoa Drag Strip Races, 442-6753
6/21-7/21, Mad River Festival and Annie and Mary Day, DellArte Theatre, Blue Lake, 668-5663 or 668-5345
4th of July Celebrations:
- Cruise on the Madaket, Eureka, 445-1910
- Festival in Old Town, Eureka, Eureka Main St., 442-9054
- Independence Day Fire Engine Rides, Ferndale Volunteer Fire Dept. 786-9515
- Celebrate America, Ferndale Repertory Theatre, 786-5483
- Ferndale Parade starting at noon, 786-4477
- Ferndale picnic starts at 1 p.m., 786-4477
- Jubilee in Arcata, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., 822-3619
- Festival, Crescent City, 464-3174
- Klamath River Klassic, Klamath, (800) 200-2335
- Community picnic and fireworks, Benbow, 923-2613
13-15: Wood Fair, College of the Redwoods, 476-4136
14: Celebrate Smith River Festival, 464-3320 X203 or www.casadn.org
8: Gasquet Raft Races and Barbecue, 464-3174
14-15: Orick Rodeo, 488-2885
14-15: Blues by the Bay, 445-3378 www.bluesbythebay.org
16-22: Fortuna Rodeo Week, 725-3959 or www.FortunaRodeo.com
27-29: Fortuna Redwood AutoXpo, 725-3916
Also in July, call for dates:
Humboldt Folk Life Festival, Blue Lake, 822-5394
Shakespeare in the Park, Arcata, 822-7091
August 2007
2-5: Del Norte County Fair, 464-9556
3-5: Reggae Rising, Garberville, www.reggaerising.com
4-5: Wildwood Days, Rio Dell, 764-3436
9-19: Humboldt County Fair, Ferndale, 786-9511
11: North Coast Open Studios Art Tour, 825-9039
19: Klamath, Salmon Festival, 482-1350
18-19: Quilt Festival, Crescent City, 464-2016
18: Bridgefest Arts & Crafts Fair, Bridgeville, 777-1775
18-31: Summer Jazz Series, Benbow, www.benbowinn.com
24-27: Civil War Days, Fortuna, 725-3916
25: Hops in Humboldt, Fortuna, 725-9261
26: Organic Planet Festival, Halverson Park, Eureka, www.organicplanet festival.org
Also in August, call for dates:
Banana Slug Race, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, 488-2885
Banana Slug Derby, Orick, 488-2121
Humboldt Folklife Festival, Eureka, 822-5394
Orick Burlwood Festival, 825-8582
Redwood Summer Games (for people with disabilities), 923-9248
September 2007
1-2: Bigfoot Days, Willow Creek, (800) 628-5156
7-8: Cruzn Eureka Car Show, 725-3599
8: North Coast Open Studios Art Tour, 825-9039
8-9: Ferndale, Bargain Lovers Weekend, 786-4477
17: Tour of Trinidad, www.swrotary.org
22-23: North Country Fair, Arcata, 822-5320
22: Henderson Center Street Fair, Eureka, 445-4188
29-30: Longboard Classic, Crescent City, 465-4400
29: Jefferson Border Coast Bike Tour, Crescent City, 465-3995
29: Humboldt Bay Maritime Expo, Woodley Island Marina 443-0801
Also in September, call for dates:
Quacks for KEET, The Great Humboldt Bay Duck Race, 445-0813, or 476-8519
Jammin at Jed, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, 464-8311
Bigfoot Symposium, Willow Creek, (800) 628-5156
Blues at Benbow, 923-3368
Festival by the Bay, Old Town Eureka, 442-9054
Flamingo Flock-in, Strictly For The Birds, Eureka, 445-1822
Southern Humboldt Fiber Fair, Redway, 923-3368
Taste of Ferndale, 786-4477
October 2007
6: Apple Harvest Festival, Fortuna, 725-2123
6: Pastels on the Plaza, Arcata, 822-7206, North Coast Childrens Center
6: Zippity Zoo Day, Sequoia Park Zoo, Eureka, 441-4263
5-6: Sea Cruise Classic Car Show, Crescent City, 464-3174
Also in October, call for dates:
Adorni Center Annual Halloween Carnival, Eureka, 268-1858
Humboldt Hoptoberfest, Blue Lake, 826-2722
Humboldt Redwoods Marathon, 946-2263
November 2007
9-11: Gem and Mineral Show, 826-0908
18-19: Mushroom Fair - Eureka
22: Blessing of the Fleet, Trinidad, 677-1610
22: Community Thanksgiving Dinner, Crescent City, 464-3174
11/30-12/2 Humboldt Artisans Craft & Music Festival, Redwood Acres Fairgrounds, Eureka, 445-3037
Also in November, call for dates:
Craftsmans Day at the Blue Ox Millworks, Eureka, 444-3368
Henderson Center Holiday Open House, Eureka, 443-4811
Hemp Fest, Redway, 923-3368
Christmas Crafts Festival, St. Bernard High School, Eureka, 443-2735
Redwood Memorial Foundation Benefit Ball, Fortuna, 725-3361
River Lodge Holiday Craft Faire: Fortuna 725-7572
December 2007
1: Victorian Village Hospitality Night Open House, Ferndale, 786-4477
1-2: Holiday Fair, Del Norte County Fairgrounds, 464-9556
2: Tallest Living Christmas Tree Lighting, Ferndale, 786-4477
2: Portuguese Linguica and Beans Dinner, Ferndale, 786-4222
3: Eureka Main Street Holiday Open House, 442-9054
2-3: Christmas Celebration in Song, Ferndale, 786-4477
7: Electric Lighted Parade, Fortuna, 725-3959
8: Santa Claus arrives in Ferndale, 786-4477
8: KEKA Truckers Lighted Truck Parade, Eureka, 442-5744
12: Fortuna Christmas Home Tour, 726-9029
16: Annual Christmas Lighted Tractor Parade, Ferndale, 786-4299
Also in December, call for dates:
Arcata Downtown Christmas Open House, 822-4500
Christmas Light Parade & Tree Lighting, Crescent City, 464-3174
Winter Arts Fair, Redway, 923-3368
January 2008
19: Party in the Vineyard, Ferndale 786-4111
Also in January, call for dates:
Community Multicultural Fair, Crescent City, 465-1820
Clam Beach Run and Walk, Trinidad to Clam Beach, 677-1610 or (800) 346-3482
St. Joseph Health System Health Fair, Eureka, 269-4268
February 2008
2: Clam Beach Run, Trinidad, 677-1610
Also in February, call for dates:
Crab Races, Del Norte County Fairgrounds, 464-3174
HSU Local Filmmakers Festival, 826-4113
Humboldt County Pun-Off, Arcata Community Center, Discovery Museum & Camp Fire Benefit, 443-8019
March 2008
22: Easter Egg Hunt, Ferndale, 786-4477
24: Portuguese Easter Dance, Ferndale, 786-4477
21-22: Symphony of Daffodils, Fortuna, 725-2281
27-31: Redwood Coast Dixieland Jazz Festival, Eureka, 445-3378
Also in March, call for dates:
Aleutian Goose Festival, Del Norte County, 465-0888
Redwood Wild River Run, Del Norte County, 464-3779
Foggy Bottoms Milk Run, Ferndale, 822-1861
Diversity Conference, Arcata, 826-3364
Spring Mushroom Jubilee, Orleans, (800) 628-5156
St. Joseph Ball, Eureka, 269-4268, Lifeline benefit
Taste of Main Street, Eureka, 442-9054
April 2008
Paddle to the Headwaters, Fortuna, 725-1135
Carson Park Annual Easter Egg Hunt, Eureka, 268-1858
Dolbeer Donkey Days, Fort Humboldt, Eureka, 445-6567
Bowl for Kids Sake, Eureka, 445-4871, for Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Godwit Days (birding festival), Arcata, 822-3619
Humboldt International Film Festival, Arcata, 826-5495
Kayak Races, Del Norte County, 457-3019
Rhododendron Festival and Parade, Eureka, (800) 356-6381
Wildflower Show, Willow Creek, (800) 628-5156
May 2008
1: May Day Celebration, Rio Dell and Scotia, 764-3436
3: Cinco de Mayo Festival, Ferndale, 786-9668
5: Avenue of the Giants Marathon, 822-1517
10: Tour of the Unknown Coast (bicycle tour), Lost Coast, 269-0235
11: Mothers Day Garden Tour, Trinidad, 677-0673
24-26: Kinetic Grand Championship, Arcata to Ferndale (3 days), 499-0643
Also in May, call for dates:
Spring Festival, Klamath, (800) 638-3389
Memorial Day Parade, Ferndale, 786-4356
June 2008
6-8: Azalea Festival, McKinleyville, 839-2449
Also in June, call for dates:
Agricultural and Junior Livestock Show, Crescent City, 464-9556
Del Norte Health Fair, Crescent City, 464-7227
Oyster Fest, Arcata, 822-4500
Redwood Acres Fair and Rodeo, Eureka, 445-3037
Humboldt Botanical Garden Foundation Tea & Tour, 442-5139
Fish Feed and Art Festival, Trinidad, 677-1610
Garberville Rodeo, 923-2963
Humboldt Pride Fest, www.humboldtpride.org
Scandinavian Cultural & Music Festival, Ferndale, 444-8444
Summer Arts Festival, Benbow, 923-3368
North Coast Open Studios, weekends, 825-9039