(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.
Ferndale
/ 10 a.m.
Parade down Main Street at noon.
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.
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.
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
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
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
Pearl Lounge
/ 10 p.m.
/ 21+
After the fireworks, stay in Old Town and dance your hot dogs off.
444-2017 /
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Highland Art Center
/ 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
/ Free
Homemade crafts, live music, and great food.
530-623-5111 /
info@highlandartcenter.org /
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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 /
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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
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 /
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Eureka
/ 6 p.m.
/ Free
Eureka's monthly stab at getting everyone together! Opening receptions for artists, exhibits, and/or performances.
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
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