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Here is How Humboldt Will Celebrate 239 Years of American Awesomeness

(Hey. Play that Lee Greenwood video above while you read this, by dammit. Thanks.)

Yippee ki-yay, Humboldt! Who's ready for loud noises? (Answer: Not your pets.) Let's see. Surveying Humboldt's Fourth of July landscape, while Arcata, Ferndale and SoHum are showing up to the 'Merica party, we have to admit that Eureka is the place to get your freedom on today and tonight.

As is tradition, Old Town Eureka will be packed with roughly 100 food and vendor booths, music at multiple venues and stages, a classic car show, a firetruck your kids can screw around on and, oh, this is the first Saturday of the month, so I guess we're doing Arts Alive too. What a country!

Then, yes, there will be Fireworks over the bay at roughly 10 p.m. Make your way to the Foot of F Street for best viewing (unless you have a friend with roof access. Then do that.) Don't wear yourself so much in the daylight hours that you can't consume music after the planned booms. A couple highlights: The cool kids of Companion Animal will synth out The Siren's Song Tavern (sets before and after fireworks) and Pressure/Anya, Humboldt's finest DJ duo, will blow up the dance floor at The Pearl. You are free to twerk, as the founding fathers intended.

--Andrew Goff

(Alright. Throwing some love Arcata's way: It is pretty great watching the Humboldt Crabs at the Arcata Ball Park on the Fourth and there are few bands that embody joy more than Yogoman Burning Band who are rocking Jambalaya. There. We feel better.)

EVENTS (SUBMIT YOURS!)

Fourth of July in Ferndale

Ferndale / 10 a.m.

Parade down Main Street at noon.

Fourth of July Jubilee

Arcata Plaza / 10 a.m.

Even Arcata gets into the spirit! More than 60 arts and crafts booths, music, food and a kids' zone, featuring games, crafts and face painting. Samba Quente performs at noon.

Fourth of July Festival and Fireworks

Old Town Eureka / 10 a.m.

The heart of Eureka will be packed with more than 100 vendors, live music on two stages, classic cars, kids' activities and firetrucks. The fireworks display starts over the bay at 10 p.m.

Humboldt Crabs vs. Solano Mudcats

Arcata Ball Park / 2:30 p.m. / $9 / $4 kids under 12 / $6 students/seniors

Double header! "Red, White & Blue Day": Wear your patriotic colors for July 4th for both the Crabs game and the festivities in town. This game traditionally sells out. Bleacher seating is limited. So, bring your chairs and picnic blankets just in case to spread out down the baselines.

Web site

Companion Animal

The Siren's Song Tavern / 8 p.m.

Celebrate Independence day with Eureka synth/funk/rock band. Sets before and after the fireworks.

442-8778 / thesirenssongtavern@gmail.com / Web site

SoHum Fourth of July Fireworks

Benbow Lake State Rec. Area / 9:30 p.m.

SoHum gets patriotic.

Yogoman Burning Band, Dynasty One

The Jam / 10 p.m. / $10

Celebrate your 4th of July with Great Jamaica New Orleans dance rhythms, afro, hip-hop, reggae, funk, soul and more.

822-5266 / Web site

Pressure/Anya

Pearl Lounge / 10 p.m. / 21+

After the fireworks, stay in Old Town and dance your hot dogs off.

444-2017 / Web site

The Highland Art Center's 4th of July Art & Crafts Fair

Highland Art Center / 9 a.m.-3 p.m. / Free

Homemade crafts, live music, and great food.

530-623-5111 / info@highlandartcenter.org / Web site

Lanphere Dunes Guided Walk

Lanphere Dunes / 10 a.m.-1 p.m. / Free

Join a Friends of the Dunes naturalist for a guided tour.

444-1397 / info@friendsofthedunes.org / Web site

Where's Waldo Arcata

Northtown Books / 10 a.m. / Free

The entire month of July in Arcata, Waldo will be hiding in local businesses. To participate in the hunt, pick up your passport at Northtown Books or any of the other participating businesses and look for him hiding in any or all of 29 local businesses.

822-2834 / info@northtownbooks.com / Web site

Doug Fir and the 2x4s

Mantova's Two Street Music Stage / 2:15-4 p.m. / Free

Multigenerational rock.

845-4995 / fbacik@townofscotia.com / Web site

Grateful Dead Live Webcast

Humboldt Brews / 5-9 p.m. / Free / 21+

Fare Thee Well Concert in Chicago shown on BIG screen with BIG sound.

826-2739 / humbrews@gmail.com / Web site

Arts Alive

Eureka / 6 p.m. / Free

Eureka's monthly stab at getting everyone together! Opening receptions for artists, exhibits, and/or performances.

The Curiosities

Ramone's Bakery & Cafe / 6-9 p.m. / Free

A curious blend of folk, gypsy and jazz.

darcybrown111@gmail.com / Web site

The Lost Dogs

Mad River Brewery Tasting Room / 6 p.m.

Local blues.

668-4151 / Web site

Jim Lahman Band

Old Town Coffee And Chocolates (Old Town) / 7-9:30 p.m. / Free

Blues, funk and rock while waiting for the fireworks to begin in Old Town.

445-8600 / Web site

Sylvia

Ferndale Repertory Theatre / 8-10 p.m. / $14 / $12 Students and Seniors

Greg brings home a dog he found in the park—or that has found him—bearing only the name "Sylvia" on her name tag. A street-smart mixture of Lab and Poodle (played on Broadway by Sarah Jessica Parker), Sylvia becomes a major bone of contention between husband and wife. Then hilarity ensues.

786-5483 / info@ferndale-rep.org / Web site

4th of July Fireworks Paddle

Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center / 8 p.m. / $45 / $35 HSU Students

Watch the fireworks display as it bursts in colorful magnificence above you from a kayak or canoe on the Humboldt Bay Waterfront.

826-3357 / cntract@humboldt.edu / Web site

Black Slate, Synrgy

Blue Lake Casino Hotel / 9 p.m. / 21+

Music in Blue Lake.

668-9770 / Web site

Doug Fir & the 2x4s

Cher-Ae Heights Casino / 9 p.m. / Free / 21+

Multigenerational rock and roll band.

845-4995 / fbacik@townofscotia.com / Web site

Karaoke

Little Red Lion / 9 p.m. / 21+

How could this be a bad idea?

Buddy Reed & th' Rip it Ups

SpeakEasy / 10 p.m. / Free

444-2244 / buddyreedripitups@gmail.com / Web site

Dukes and Boots

Bar Fly Pub and Grub / 10 p.m.-2 a.m. / Free / 21+

Wear your best western attire with drink specials.

443-3440 / Web site

Let Free Dumb Ring Comedy Show

Palm Lounge at The Eureka Inn / 10:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m.

MOVIES

Broadway Cinema
Mill Creek Cinema
Minor Theatre