Humboldt County Fair & Event Center
August 16-17 & 20-24, 2025
Open on Sat & Sun at 12:00
Open on Wed, Thur, & Fri at 1:00
Events & Shows
at the 2025 Humboldt County Fair
Come one, come all to the Events & Shows page for the 129th Annual Humboldt County Fair! Get ready for nonstop excitement with an exciting lineup of shows, music, and jaw-dropping acts happening every day of the Fair. From high-energy performances and crowd-favorite entertainers to must-see talent that have traveled the globe, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Check back often for schedules and updates—you won’t want to miss a moment!
Fine Arts and Floral Gala
August 15th in the Flower House and Fine Arts Building at 5:30pm
Start the Fair and enjoy live music, wine, hors d’oeuvres, and an early tour of the Fine Arts and Floriculture entries on display for the 129th Annual Humboldt County Fair! $20 entry donation includes two wine tickets and the proceeds will go towards funding special awards for the entries in floriculture and fine arts.
Kinetic Obstacle Exhibition Derby
August 16th in the Grandstands at 1:30
Get ready for pure pedal-powered pandemonium! Kinetic Universe, host to the Kinetic Grand Championship, is bringing all that is absurd and fantastical to the Humboldt County Fair on the first Saturday in a grandiose display of the balance between art, engineering, and a delightful pinch of madness.
Join us for the Kinetic Races at the Humboldt County Fair! The Kinetic Grand Championship is a beloved Humboldt tradition that first burst to life here the Victorian Village of Ferndale back in 1969 and we are delighted to be bringing the rolling back into town.
Expect thrilling obstacle courses, wild creativity, and all the chaos you can handle right in the grandstands. Don’t miss this chance to witness a historic Humboldt staple come alive like never before!
Don't forget to bring elegance and style with you to this event - the Ladies Hat Day is running in conjunction with the Kinetic Races and the prizes are still coming! Check below for more information.
Racers are coordinated with Kinetic Universe directly.
Ladies Hat Day at the (Kinetic) Races!
August 16th in the Grandstands (Time TBD)
A time-honored tradition with a fabulous twist! Ladies Hat Day, a beloved staple of the Humboldt County Fair, returns for the annual celebration—but this year, the fashion meets flair in a whole new way.
Kinetic Universe is bringing a new type of racing to the historic Ferndale racetrack this year! Join us on the first Saturday of the Fair, August 16th, where the elegant and flamboyant meet the grandeur and absurd as human-powered chaos collides with our time-honored tradition.
Don your most outlandish, elegant, or outrageous headwear and compete for serious bragging rights—and serious cash: a Grand Prize of $1000, First Runner-Up wins $500, and Second Runner-Up takes home $250! Let the hats (and the fun) fly!
Enter on the day of to see if your hats or fasteners are a cut above the rest! No baseball caps or daily-wear hats are able to enter, this competition is for the absurd and fantastical.
Live-Judged Apple Pie Contest
August 16th in Belotti Hall at 2:00pm
Win the glory in Belotti Hall this year by competing live during our first annual Apple Pie Contest! Prizes are sponsored by King Arthur Baking Co, Clendenan's Cider Co, Golden Gait Mercantile, and more! Go to our Competitive Exhibits page to enter - you can enter until the day of, August 16th until noon - Click Here for more details!
"I Voted" Competition Announcement
August 16th in Belotti Hall at 4:00pm
Join us at the Humboldt County Fair on August 16 in Belotti Hall at 5 pm for the BIG REVEAL of the two "Vote Humboldt" sticker contest winners!
You'll be able to cast your votes on your favorite designs at the Humboldt Elections Booth starting July 4 at Eureka Friday Night Markets, Bigfoot Daze in Willow Creek, and at the 4th of July celebrations in Eureka and Arcata! After an amazing summer of community voting, we'll be announcing the final two designs that capture the hearts of people across our incredible county.
Come see both winning designs up close at the fair and discover which artistic vision will grace our official "I Voted" stickers for years to come.
Your voice will make this possible - so come celebrate the power of community art and democratic participation! 🇺🇸 We'll see you at the fair!
Jaripeo Rodeo
August 17th in the Grandstands
Get ready for a high-energy event that belongs nowhere else but the historic grandstands of the Humboldt County Fair! Sunday August 25th, experience the thrilling Jaripeo y Baile of Rancho Imperial—an action-packed celebration featuring live bull riding and an unforgettable musical lineup. Headlining the day is the legendary La Original Banda El Limón de Salvador Lizárraga, along with Banda Potrero and Banda Vallarta Show. With ten confirmed bull riders, this is a day full of adrenaline, music, and nonstop excitement.
Don't miss it! Poster Here
Presale rodeo tickets are available at:
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El Buen Gusto Market (Fortuna & Eureka)
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Chaparrita Market
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Lochas Restaurant
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El Pueblo Market
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Perlitas Restaurant
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Mickey’s Taqueria
HCF Chili Cook Off with Guy Fieri
August 21st in the Grandstands starts at 1:00
Live music: Monument Road
Participate: Join for free or Help choose a victor with the People's Choice Award and the Golden Buzzer Award
Get Fired Up for the 2025 Humboldt County Fair's Chili Cook-Off with Guy Fieri!
Step into the sizzle on Thursday, August 21st, where the grandstands will be blazing with bold spices, secret recipes, and the ultimate culinary showdown. Amateur chefs, local legends, and spice-slinging professionals will compete for chili glory in front of roaring crowds and Guy himself, so get ready to bring the heat, the flavor, and the flair—all Fieri style.
VIP Meet & Greet with Guy Fieri
August 21st in the VIP Lawn at 12:30
Get ready for an exclusive culinary encounter! Join us for a private, ticketed meet and greet with hometown legend and Celebrity Chef Guy Fieri this year at the Humboldt County Fair! This once-in-a-lifetime experience offers fans the chance to shake hands, snap a photo, and share a moment with the Mayor of Flavortown himself.
The Lumberjack Competition
August 23rd in the Grandstands at 1:00
Redwood Region Logging Conference presents the Lumberjack Competition at the Humboldt County Fair! NO ENTRY FEES!
We can't all be loggers - but we can try! Join us to see if you've got what it takes! Competitors must be 18 or no older. Sign Up Day Of!
More information on Competitions and Prizes HERE!
Live at the Humboldt County Fair
August 23rd in the Grandstands at 5:30
Humboldt County Fair Presents a Night of Legendary Local Music!
We have a fantastic lineup for this evening with local rising musician Luke Powell for opening and beloved local legends delivering folk, bluegrass, and indie folk rock, Huckleberry Flint!
This summer, while the horse races take a pause, the Humboldt County Fair is turning up the volume with live music from local legends. In a bold new twist, The Grandstands will come alive on August 23 with an unforgettable concert headlined by Brett McFarland and the Freedom Riders. The racetrack is being transformed into a full-scale concert venue for one unforgettable night.
PLUS
Join us the night before at 5:30 pm for a free Meet & Greet with Brett McFarland! Come say hello, snap a photo, and connect with the artist behind the music before the big show.
Raptor Events
Every Day of Fair on the Midway
Straight from the Entertainment Capital of the World—Las Vegas—Rich and Marielle are master mentalists who use all five senses to create the illusion of a sixth. With no secret assistants or electronic devices, they craft astonishing, high-energy performances that make the impossible feel real. Their show turns the spotlight on the audience, blending psychology, illusion, and showmanship into a mesmerizing experience that delights crowds coast to coast.
Bella Gantt
Every Day of Fair on the Midway
Bella Gannt is a one-of-a-kind performer bringing world-class talent to the Humboldt County Fair. At just 19 years old, she has captivated audiences across the globe—from the Middle East to China—with her extraordinary skills and magnetic stage presence. Bella is the only person in the world who performs a blindfolded archery shot using her foot, a feat that must be seen to be believed. With appearances on Good Morning America and other national television programs, she combines jaw-dropping talent with vibrant audience interaction. Don’t miss her live on the Midway—performing three times daily!
The Perceptives
Every Day of Fair on the Midway
Straight from the Entertainment Capital of the World—Las Vegas—Rich and Marielle are master mentalists who use all five senses to create the illusion of a sixth. With no secret assistants or electronic devices, they craft astonishing, high-energy performances that make the impossible feel real. Their show turns the spotlight on the audience, blending psychology, illusion, and showmanship into a mesmerizing experience that delights crowds coast to coast.
Greg Thompson, The Banjo Man
Every Day of Fair strolling the Midway
Get ready for toe-tapping fun with Greg Thompson – “The Banjo Man” at the Humboldt County Fair! Blending country, bluegrass, folk, and classic fair tunes, Greg delivers high-energy live performances and strolling entertainment that keeps the crowd smiling. With his banjo in hand, he weaves through the fairgrounds, cracking jokes, telling stories, and creating unforgettable, interactive moments for all ages.