Coming Soon: Happy Birthday, America!

This photo reminded me of the patriotic nature of our city of Ferndale, Ca., and of the two bald eagle that have taken up residence here. (See our earlier Ferndale blog, below). Also, our recent annual observance of Memorial Day, with its great parade and the townspeople following it up to the cemetery to participate in our Memorial Service, has placed me in a mood of great appreciation for our American way of life.

This has prompted me to suggest that if you plan to be in this area in the next month or so, why not make it on July 4th, and get a taste of how small town America celebrates our national birthday? If you're nearby anyway, enjoying a California Redwoods vacation or simply reading a redwoods blog, treat yourself to a side trip and come on in to town...and get a patriotism fix! Here's the line up:

Rides - Parade - Picnic - Show - Fireworks!

Independence Day Fire Engine Rides. Ferndale Volunteer Firefighters celebrate with an old-fashioned treat for the kids: a free ride on a gleaming fire engine. 10 a.m. to noon.

Parade. Ferndale Repertory Theatre, assisted by Ferndale Kiwanis and the Chamber of Commerce, organize an artful Independence Day parade at noon.

Picnic. Ferndale Rotary Club cooks up an Independence Day picnic after the parade. Hot dogs or burgers (including veggie burger option), potato salad, beans and Humboldt Creamery ice cream with chocolate syrup. Hot dog meal, $4; burger meal, $6.

Patriotic Musical Revue, "Celebrate America." This very popular 4th of July show begins at the Ferndale Repertory Theatre at 3 p.m. and features the Scotia Band under the direction of Michael McClimon and Betty Diehl conducting the Chameleon Singers.

Fireworks! Bear River Casino organizes a fireworks display for the family to watch from the grandstands at the fairgrounds in Ferndale.

On second thought, don't just come for the day..,come and stay with us in The Victorian Inn or Redwood Suites for the whole weekend! You could sure do worse in celebrating the 4th of July! And if you're a visitor from another country, you are especially welcome. We would love to share this colorful and wonderful holiday with you.

Here comes the Kinetic Universe!

The Kinetic Universe! That's the new name for the folks behind our 40 year old Kinetic Sculpture Race, founded right here in the city of Ferndale, Ca, way back then. We thought we'd add the information to our Ferndale blog to give you a heads up. The Kinetic Racers will "roar" into town on the third and final day of the race (Monday, May 25th, Memorial Day Weekend). Even though we recently purchased the Hobart's Gallery building, it was formerly the home of the Glorious Founder of the race, Hobart Brown, and has been the traditional finish line for the race. And so it is again this year! If you're anywhere nearby, maybe on a California redwoods vacation or whatever, you should take a side trip into Ferndale and witness this over-the-top event.

Come into town a little earlier on the same day and you can join us in watching our Memorial Day Parade, following it up to the cemetery where the town holds its Memorial Day Service. Folks, this is small town America at its best!

This info isn't exactly our usual redwoods blog, but we hope you enjoy it. And we know you'll enjoy Ferndale if you're here on Memorial Day Weekend.