by Mia Costales
The rumble of drums echoed throughout the square — the deep boom gave the already living organism that is the North Country Fair a pulsing heartbeat. A sea of Samba dancers draped in sparkling fabric twirled by the onlookers, swaying their hips and waving their arms to the beat. Booths wrapped all around the Arcata square. Some were filled with homemade pottery, baked goods and paintings, while others handed out political pamphlets, hot dogs and bouquets of flowers. Arcata locals, families and Cal Poly Humboldt students wandered around the square as the festivities rang on around them.
This past weekend marked the 51st annual North Country Fair. On Sept. 20 and 21, local vendors, bands, performers and community members took to the Arcata Plaza to celebrate Arcata’s lively community and participate in a weekend of zero waste. The North Country Fair is a Humboldt County tradition, spanning back to 1974 and typically takes place the third weekend of September. In 2007, a group of community organizers dubbed, the “Same Old People,” banded together to form an official non-profit group and dedicate themselves to upholding the original spirit of the first North Country Fair in 1974. The Same Old People have been committed to organizing the event ever since.
Director Alex Ozaki-McNeill worked with co-director Jessy Preciado and the Same Old People several months in advance to execute this year’s fair.
“Our theme this year was ‘Rise Up’ and is captured beautifully by artist Lynn Jones of Lynnoleum on our poster,” Ozaki-McNeill said. “The theme is chosen more than six months before the event, and it has felt more and more appropriate this year. The board of directors, affectionately called the “Same Old People” felt that it conveyed a similar message to ‘resist’ but in a more positive, uplifting way. The idea was that together, we rise up, as a community, hand in hand.”
One of the defining factors of the North Country Fair is its commitment to zero waste. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own plates, cups and utensils or use the reusable cutlery provided by the fair. Plastic bus tubs were dispersed throughout the square to serve as dumping grounds for any dirty dishes. The fair relies on volunteers to monitor waste stations and direct people to the correct waste bins. Walking and biking to the event were also encouraged over driving to decrease emissions.
Breann Burgess, a Cal Poly Humboldt environmental student and Humboldt local, shared that this year’s fair was even more packed than in previous years.
“As an environmental education and interpretation major, I loved the booths based around our local non-profits like Redwood Rising and Environmental Protection [because] I could network and meet people,” Burgess said. “I love seeing the community come together for events like this and I love how much local artists are showcased at the North Country Fair.”
The All Species Parade and the Samba Parade were the pinnacle of the fair, drawing in people from all corners of Arcata and its surrounding areas. The All Species Parade, which took place on Sat., Sept. 20, embraced Arcata’s unique connection to our fauna and encouraged those participating in the parade to dress up as their favorite animal. On Sun., Sept. 21, the annual Samba Parade was the highlight, featuring Samba de Alegria and Samba do Mar Humboldt.
Another highlight of the North Country Fair is its family friendly activities. Several booths catered to children and families with activities such as face painting, games and even a DIY fort building station complete with cardboard boxes and markers.
“It is a fantastic time for really eclectic local artisan goods, new good music you’ve never heard about, happy uplifting people and vibrations,” Kol Wannigman, a North Country Fair security personnel, said. “Good food, good fun and happy family vibes.”
The North Country Fair is a quintessentially Humboldt event and it is deeply ingrained in the fabric of our quirky community. Thanks to a couple eccentric people back in the 70s, hundreds of Arcata locals can proudly say that they’ve experienced the love and community that is the North Country fair.
“To steal [or] paraphrase from another artist, Catlin Blair, “The North Country Fair feels like a giant hug from the community,”” Ozaki-McNeill said. “This quote lives rent free in my head. And again with the theme of this year, it is incredibly meaningful to help pull off a large scale event that uplifts artists and makers in our community and that together we ‘rise up.’”
Mia is a journalism major and the Editor in Chief of The Lumberjack. She hopes to give a platform to underrepresented communities through her writing and provide the public with thoughtful and informed stories. In her free time she enjoys cooking, reading and playing the violin. Contact her at mdc140@humboldt.edu.
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