calendar of events
Whatever day you are here, there is always something memorable to do. #visitFTA
Fortuna Concert Series
Grammy-Nominated Jazz Pianist Randy Porter Live in Fortuna – April 12!
Get ready for an unforgettable night of jazz! The Fortuna Concert Series proudly presents Randy Porter, an internationally acclaimed Grammy-nominated pianist & Steinway Artist, performing Saturday, April 12 at the historic Fortuna Monday Club.
With a career spanning performances alongside jazz legends like Freddie Hubbard, Art Farmer, and Nancy King, Porter is known for his sophisticated improvisation, harmonic depth, and masterful touch at the piano. His album Porter Plays Porter with Nancy King was nominated for a 60th Grammy Award, celebrating the timeless music of Cole Porter with fresh brilliance.
Date: Saturday, April 12
Location: Fortuna Monday Club, 610 Main Street
Doors Open: 6:15 PM | Showtime: 7:00 PM
Tickets: $15 at the door | Season Pass: $100 for all 8 concerts!
Don’t miss this rare chance to see one of jazz’s finest talents right here in Fortuna! Tag a friend and join us for a night of world-class music!
Coming Next: RLAD with Matt McClimon – May 10
For details, visit www.fortunaconcertseries.com or email fortunaconcert@live.com.
One-Stop Truck Event
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is coming to a city near you on a multi-stop, roadshow throughout Northern, Central and Southern California. Join CARB, local agencies, and Air Districts as we provide insight, education, and resources on CARB’s clean truck and diesel regulations, compliance, funding, and more. Each stop will provide an opportunity to listen to presentations, participate in one-on-one discussions and meet CARB regulatory experts and incentive program staff.
Agenda*
08:30 – 09:00 Doors Open, Check-In Available
09:00 – 09:15 Welcome & Introductions – Orientation to Event
09:15 – 10:15 Clean Truck Check & Compliance Support and Q&A
10:15 – 11:00 Air District & CARB Funding Overview (HVIP, Innovative Small E-Fleets, VW, CORE, FARMER) and Q&A
11:00 – 11:15 Break
11:15 – 12:00 Off-Road & ZE Forklift Programs Overview and Q&A
12:00 – 12:45 Zero-Emission Heavy-Duty Fleets: Continuous Engagement - Panel Discussion
12:45 – 01:00 Closing Remarks/Event Evaluation
Bear River Rumble at the River VI
Bear River Casino Resort is excited to announce an upcoming event that promises to be a thrilling experience for our community. On Saturday, May 3rd, we are hosting the Rumble At The River VI at the Bear River Recreation Center.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, May 3rd
Location: Bear River Recreation Center
Doors Open: 5:30 PM
Fights Begin: 6:30 PM
Age Requirement: 18+
Link: https://tickets.evvnt.com/events/rumble-at-the-river-vi-5-3-2025
Avenue of the Giants- Marathon
The Ave has been called by no less of an authority than RUNNERS WORLD MAGAZINE one of the most beautiful courses in the country. The Marathon is a double out and back, as the course profile indicates; while the Half Marathon is a single out and back. The Marathon starts just beyond the Dyerville Bridge on Bull Creek Road and proceed 6.5 miles to the first turn around. The first mile is relatively flat, and within half a mile of the start, you will be running under a canopy of beautiful Redwoods. After the first mile, there are some sharp curves and fairly short hills. There is an open space and a sweeping curve at about the 4/9 mile mark.
Then for the next mile or so, you enter arguably the most beautiful part of the course. The giant Redwoods close to the road look as though they were painted on a large canvass, the way they are perfectly arranged. At about five and a half miles, just beyond the Albee Creek Campground, you will enter an opening that continues to the first turn around. Don’t worry about heat, however, for the temperature is usually still cool and part of the road is still shaded. The last mile plus is a gradual uphill with few curves. Turn around here, and retrace your steps. There are aid stations at 2, 3.8, 5 and 6+ miles: and of course they will be there on your return trip. Half marathoners will start at 8:30 and will run on the Avenue of the Giants, the second out and back for the marathon.
The second out and and back is mostly shaded, and has only one significant hill, as you travel through Weott at just beyond the 15 mile mark going out or the 23 mile mark coming back (2 and 11 for the half). There is what appears to be a steep hill near the 14/25 mile mark (1 and 12 for the half), but it is mostly an optical illusion. It’s actually an overpass over the freeway.
There are three and sometimes four aid stations, depending on the weather, along this out and back, so there will be plenty of refreshment for all. The area near Weott is open for about half a mile and the road is heavily cambered, so be careful how you attack this section of the course.
The 10K starts on the Avenue of the Giants at the same time as the Half; goes down the Avenue for 3.1 miles and then returns; thus giving 10K folks the fun of the real hill, and the scary bridge. Some time before or after the race, be sure to check out The Founders Tree and the Dyerville Giant, on a short trail circling Founders Grove, about 100 yards down the Avenue from the Dyerville Bridge.
Run wisely, enjoy the natural beauty of the area, and here’s hoping you have a great time as a runner, spectator, or race volunteer.
2025 Forest Moon Festival
The Forest Moon Festival grew out of a passion for film and love of our beautiful region, and all it has to offer.
It began with the vision of the Humboldt • Del Norte Film Commission, to embrace one of the great film franchises of all time, STAR WARS and it's choice to cast our region as the Forest Moon of Endor-- the home of the Ewoks, some 40 years ago!
Our hope is that by inviting fans of all ages to come see the stunning filming locations featured in STAR WARS: RETURN OF THE JEDI and attend screenings of the film, it will also give them a chance to discover all the Redwood Coast has to offer in natural beauty, hospitality, arts, and culture.
The Forest Moon Festival team comes from backgrounds in film, theater, and art-- And we are thrilled to work with businesses, pop-ups, events, and community partners throughout Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, who are creating their own little corner of the STAR WARS universe!
Our team is led by the Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commission staff and Tiffany Miller Designs.
WE BELIEVE:
We believe in thinking like an Ewok. Ewoks live in harmony with their environment, and we should too. Let’s keep the redwood region green. We care about the environment and ask you to consider your choices when planning your visit.
We believe in accessibility. We strive, and encourage all participating businesses, events, pop-ups, and community partners to make our festival accessible for all attendees.
We are dedicated to honoring diversity, inclusion, and equality.
We acknowledge that the region resides on the unceded lands of its Indigenous People, including: the Yurok, Karuk, Hupa, Chilula, Whilkut, Wiyot, Nongatl, Lassik, Sinkyone, Mattole, Resighini, and Tolowa.
Grasshopper Peak Redwoods Run
We love Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Over the last decade, we've covered all 100+ miles of trails in this magnificent and diverse state park, quickly learning where the best spots are hiding. Under the guidance of the Six Rivers Running Club, we are proud to present the 10th year of the Grasshopper Peak Redwoods Run. The routes we've chosen are among our favorites. Won't you join us?
Fortuna Vintage Market
Join us for the first Fortuna Vintage Market of 2025! Bigger, better, and so many more vendors out on the streets. A street dedicated to Vintage, artists, food trucks, and general vendors in Downtown Fortuna.
Free to the public to attend.
Bryan Martin in Concert! with Alex Key & Timmy McKeever
Rodeo Fans: Save the date for a Rodeo Week kick-off concert featuring Bryan Martin along with Alex Key and Timmy McKeever. More details in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!!!
Fortuna Redwood AutoXpo
Registrations are starting to roll in and our amazing volunteers are processing them as fast as they can. Have you sent yours? Register early....we fill up fast. July 25th, 26th, and 27th, 2025.
2025 Humboldt County Fair
August 16th -24th, 2025!
We will have two dark days, Monday and Tuesday the 18th and 19th.
Humboldt Redwoods Marathon
Humboldt Redwoods Marathon
We’ll forgive you if you have trouble concentrating on the road ahead of you while running The Humboldt Redwoods. After all, you’ll probably be looking up at the old growth redwood trees which tower over the course.
Course is on a paved road the winds gently up hill but is mostly a flat, fast destination race. With little to distract you, the tall trees inspire the athlete in each of us to be strong. The course is certified and the marathon is a Boston Qualifying event.
Fortuna’s 39th Annual Apple Harvest FEstival
The historic Apple Harvest Festival is a city-wide celebration of history, family, and farms, with plenty of apple and cider tasting!
Stay tuned for more details as our date approaches.
https://fortunaappleharvest.org/
Bear River 3rd Annual Taco Fest
Save the date! 🌮🍻 We're accepting vendors for our 3rd Annual Taco Fest on Saturday, Sept. 28th. Click the link to fill out an interest form. Let's make this the best Taco Fest yet! PS: All unique tacos welcome—let's showcase our community's flavors! #TacoFest2024
🔗 https://forms.gle/CAttvpFBgpQUbm9E6
Hops in Humboldt
20th Annual Hops in Humboldt features the best breweries from across the country.
In the heart of the redwoods, just off US 101, 18 miles South of Eureka and 253 miles North of San Francisco, rests the Friendly City of Fortuna, the home of the biggest beer fest in Humboldt.
Hops in Humboldt features over 45 of the best breweries from across the country. For one price you can try unlimited samples of hundreds of different brews in your own cool, commemorative glass, listen to live bands as they rock the stage throughout the day, and cruise different arts and crafts vendors selling everything from Humboldt clothing to locally made jewelry.
History of Hops
The story started in 2003, when a small group of directors were trying to decide on a new event for Fortuna with a $1,000 grant provided by the Fortuna Business Improvement District. It took two years of planning, organizing and research. Fortuna Rotary and ESA offered to sponsor the event and Hops in Humboldt was born. The very first Hops event was held in 2004, in a small beer garden between the two playgrounds at Rohner Park. There were 10 breweries at best; all of our local breweries plus a few more from Northern California. It had a bluegrass theme with local bands and some random vendors. As the event progressed throughout the years more breweries were added. Mixed genres of music became the norm, the Hops beer games and the Hops awards were born. Local homemade food and vendors started to make the event more unique. Partnerships with transportation companies were formed to provide safe transportation alternatives for attendees. The end of year we saw elbow-to-elbow room only in the festival and it was evident the festival had outgrown its location. In year six Hops decided to make the move off the green grass of Rohner Park to a larger home and current location on Bartow Field. That year Hops also started the process of shedding its sponsors and led the paperwork to become its own nonprofit organization. With a board of directors and a dedicated beer-loving committee that works year-round, Hops in Humboldt is bigger and better than ever! Hops has proudly taken in hundreds of thousands of dollars in event income. The majority of our budget is put back into the community and spent with local businesses to make the event happen. 100 percent of the proceeds are given back to local groups each year who fall under our grant categories.
Hops Proceeds
Where does the money go? So, you come to Hops, shell out $30-$100 to get in and there are thousands of people there. They sell Hops gear and have games. Who gets the money? Hops in Humboldt Inc. that’s who. Most folks don’t know but Hops is a registered 501c3 nonprofit corporation. We have a board of directors, bylaws, website and everything. Through a grant process we distribute our proceeds to a variety of Humboldt County organizations that fall within five categories: schools, youth activities, senior programs, municipal programs, and drug and alcohol prevention. Anyone falling within one of these five categories is welcome to submit a grant application to Hops. To date over $500,000 in grants. Thank you for your support and sacrificing your sobriety in the name of community service!
www.hopsinhumboldt.com
Redwood AutoXpo
Redwood AutoXpo:
Since 1990 is how long the Fortuna Redwood AutoXpo has been bringing excitement to the fourth weekend in July. The 2007 event was dedicated to the memory of Pete Perdew, and so we all worked extra hard to make it special. We think we succeeded and we would like to thank those who helped make it happen. Because of all of you, we were able to award scholarships again this year and plan to continue to do so in the future.
Special thanks go to all the merchants and professionals who generously donated goods for prizes and funds for trophies. Your continued cooperation and enthusiasm is gratefully appreciated. We also thank the media for their excellent cooperation and coverage.
Our "Friendly City" nickname is well earned and the atmosphere it creates for visitors during AutoXpo is often remarked upon by our participants. We appreciate what our community does in support of our event. The small army of volunteers, many of whom have helped all seventeen years, always make us look good as they attend to the many tasks, not all of them fun, which are necessary to keep all our venues operating smoothly. From standing on a street corner during the Cruise on Friday, to helping with clean-up on Sunday night, we would be lost without our volunteers throughout the weekend. And, of course, an army is always looking for recruits, so if you, too, want to be overworked and under appreciated, give us a call at (707) 572-7855 and get your name on the list for next year.
We cannot say enough about the excellence and cooperation of our police and parks departments. They are always there for us to make our vision a reality. They anticipate our needs and deliver on our wishes.
So, thank you Fortuna, for being such a great place to be all the time, and an extraordinary place to be during AutoXpo.
For more information 707.572.7855
Po Box 210 Fortuna, CA 95540
www.redwoodautoxpo.com
Fortuna Chili Cookoff
For more information contact The Fortuna Chamber of Commerce (707)725-3959
103rd Annual Fortuna Rodeo week
103rd Annual Fortuna Rodeo
Stay tuned for more details:
https://fortunarodeo.com/
Fortuna Fireworks Festival
Stay tuned for more details on this family fun festival.
fortunafireworks@gmail.com
Humboldt Botanical Summer Concert Series
Humboldt Botanical Garden
44.5 acres of gardens, including a greenhouse, earth sculpture, over two miles of hiking trails, and stunning views of Humboldt Bay and Table Bluff.
2nd Annual Shuck Yeah!
Come join us for the 2nd Annual Shuck Yeah on June 8th, 2024!
We are excited to bring this event back for a fun filled day with oysters and vendors galore!
Stay tuned for more details and updates to come!
If you would like to be a part of this event reach out to bar@eelriverbrewing.com and get your vendor application turned in!
Can't wait to see you all in sunny Fortuna!
Eel River Brewing Co.
1777 Alamar Way Fortuna, CA, United States, California 95540
Fortuna's First Fridays
Stroll Downtown Fortuna on the First Friday of June, July, and August from 6 - 9 pm.
Foggy Bottom Milk Run
45th Foggy Bottom Milk Run. The 2 mile starts at 2PM and the 4 mile starts at NOON. There is not a 10-mile event. Start and finish in downtown Ferndale. A wonderful family event, with prizes in school team divisions as well as age divisions. Contact race director at foggybottommilkrun@gmail.com
www.6rrr.com
Before I Do Wedding Show
The Fortuna River Lodge and The Fortuna Chamber Tourism & Marketing Committee are
pleased to announce the revival of the "Before I Do" Wedding Show, which will be held
Sunday, January 21, 2024 from 11 to 4 PM at the spectacular River Lodge Venue &
Conference Center located in Fortuna, California.
Due to the pandemic in 2020, and staff shortages, Fortuna’s Annual Bridal show had to be
canceled for a few years but we are thrilled to inform the public that it is back, revamped
and better than ever!
This come-back bridal show event will feature over 30 fabulous vendors who will be
showcasing a multitude of wedding products or services. There will be everything from
wedding venues to thank you cards and everything in between. Plus, vendors will be able to
sell merchandise that can be purchased on site this year!
Upon entry, attendees will be offered a glass of champagne or can purchase a tasty
espresso beverage at the mobile coffee shop. As an added feature this year, the first 100
guests will receive a free gift! Also, attending Brides and Grooms can enter a raffle to win a
basket with items of wedding bliss.
For more information on this event, please contact The Fortuna Chamber of Commerce at
(707)725-3959 or follow the event on FaceBook: facebook.com/fortunachamber
AL GRAY LIGHTED PARADE
Enjoy an enchanted evening with a lighted holiday Parade starting at 6pm on Fortuna Main St.
For more information contact Morgan Dodson (707) 725-9261
Fortuna River Lodge Holiday Craft Fair
Please join The Fortuna River Lodge for their annual Holiday Craft Fair:
Nov. 18th, 2023 10am-4pm
Nov. 19th, 2023 10am-3pm
For more info. (707) 725-7572