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Photo by Gerard Horan
2025 Rodeo Committee
Fortuna Rodeo Association, Inc. (a nonprofit organization) is sponsored jointly by the Fortuna Chamber of Commerce and the Fortuna Volunteer Fire Department.
Dave Jackson Secretary/Treasurer, Carnival Concessions
Dave Victorine Vice President, Parade
Jim Hinrichs Parade
Robb Foley BBQ
Javier Luna BBQ
Todd Fulton Merchant Contributions
Hec Wood Street Activities
Travis Mendes Beverages
Bob Natt Arena & Grounds
Ben McWhorter Sponsorships
Cody Waddell Parking/Sanitation
Wayne Tomasini Beverages
Jesse Renner Friday Night Activities
Russ Renner Friday Night Activities
Chad Lake Saturday Night
Erik Bess Saturday Night/Sponsorships
Mike Johnson Arena & Grounds
Doug Burgess Parking/Sanitation
Kellen Brown Security
Chris Broadstock Street Games
Pat Whitchurch Treasurer
W2025 Fortuna Rodeo President’s Message
Shake, Rattle & Rodeo!
Marshal is Christine Barkdull owner and operator of the Bar W Ranch near Bridgeville. Christine has been a supporter of Fortuna Rodeo for a long time and was a Fortuna Rodeo Theme Girl in 1965! Be sure and stop by the Grand Marshal’s box seat during the rodeos and say howdy!
elcome to the 104th Anniversary of the Fortuna Rodeo! We have a full nine days of events and activities that will have you and your family Shaken, Rattling and Rodeoing! We have a huge new addition to this year’s entertainment, “Country on the Coast.” On the evening of July 12th the Fortuna Rodeo Association will present country music star, Bryan Martin in concert along with two other, up-andcoming country artists, Alex Key and Timmy McKeever. The rodeo grounds are going to be transformed into one of the most beautiful concert venues in Northern California. It will include individual seating for nearly 5,000, a 30’x40’ covered stage with lighting a great sound system and every seat will have a fantastic view of the show.
There will be 10 food trucks on site along with the Humboldt/Del Norte Cattlewomen serving up a large variety of delicious food, three full bars, ice-cold beer and Easy Squeezy Lemonade. This is going to be an event you won’t want to miss.
Along with “Country on the Coast,” the week will include a 5k run, Chili Cookoff, Kids’ Street Games and Penny Scramble, six days of carnival fun, two days of Junior Rodeo action, bull riding and Quadiators, mutton busting, breakfast at the park, parade, trick riders, bronc riding, breakaway roping and two days of rodeo action. There’s something for everyone young and old, and all are free or at an affordable cost!
This years Fortuna Rodeo’s Grand
The 104th Fortuna Rodeo is being dedicated to Mr. Frank Hizer, who passed away earlier this year. Frank was a leader in our community on many levels for many years. Frank was a doer! A few of his civic activities included setting on the boards of the Fortuna Rodeo, Fortuna Union High School and was the founder of the Fortuna Redwood AutoXpo Car Show. One of his biggest contributions was his 43 years of service in the Fortuna Volunteer Fire Department. He served in almost every capacity, including the Fire Chief of the district. Frank will be missed by all that crossed his path and remembered with a smile.
At Saturday’s rodeo, we will be having an Empty Saddle Tribute for Frank.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the City of Fortuna, Fortuna Volunteer Fire Dept. Fortuna Chamber of Commerce, our sponsors and all the volunteers that make this community event possible.
So let’s get ready to “SHAKE, RATTLE and RODEO!”
Happy Trails, Shannon McWhorter President
Anniversary Sponsors!
WYCKOFF’S PLUMBINGWYCKOFF’S PLUMBING
Centurion
• American Ag Credit
• Bear River Casino and Resort
• Fortuna Grocery Outlet
• Freedom Fuel
• GRS Construction
• Harbers Insurance Agency
• Mercer-Fraser Company
• Redwood Capital Bank
• Sequoia Gas Company
• Wyckoff’s Plumbing
• Xotic Flavorz All Around Champion
• 3B Farms
RYAN & ROBIN RICE
• Blue Star Gas
• DCI Builders
• Humboldt Fence Co.
• J&G Lawn and Garden
• Jack Hurst Trucking
• Rays Quality Cars Gold Buckle
• Big Valley Mortgage
• Boot Barn
• Cal Poly Humboldt
• Edward Jones
• Fortuna ACE Hardware
• Humboldt Auction Yard
• Humboldt Beer Distributors
• Humboldt Veterinary Medical Group
• Les Schwab Tire
• MCI Contractor
• North Coast Mercantile
• Ray’s Food Place
• Sunbelt Rentals
• Swinerton Construction
• Tri Counties Bank
• Umpqua Bank
• Wildwood Saw
• Windy Point Fencing Silver Spur
• Beacom Construction
• Bugenig Ranch Fencing
• Coast Central Credit Union
• Eel River Hay
• Greg Seiler Edward Jones
• Harland Law Firm
• Hennessy Funds
• Hotel Ivanhoe
• Michelle Bushnell Humboldt County 2nd Dist. Supervisor
• Redwood Glass and Windows
• Ryan & Robin Rice
• Valley Pacific
• Wright Tree Service
Top Hand
• Advanced Security Systems
• Anderson, Lucas, Somerville and Borges, Accounting
• Bodyworks Fitness Club
• Burgess Electric
• Coastal Business Systems
• Cornerstone Realty
• Dave’s Auto Electric
• Demello, McCauley, McReynolds & Holland
• Double D Steakhouse
• Eel River Transportation & Salvage
• Elloway and Wonenburg DDS
• Francis Enos Fire Pump Repair
• Green’s Fortuna Pharmacy
• Heidi Olsen Insurance
• Hensel’s Ace Hardware
• Hensell Materials
• Hohman and Associates Forestry
• Humboldt Builders’ Exchange
• Humboldt County Fair
• Humboldt Redwood
• Johnny’s Flooring
• Mountain Mike’s Pizza
• Owsley Electric
• Pace Supply
• Peterson Cat
• Powerhouse Garage
• Quality Body Works
• Rocha’s Automotive
• The Hurst Group
• Vineyard Offshore
• Wyatt, Whitchurch & Anderson, Inc.
Gary Edgmon Memorial All Around Saddle
• American Ag Credit
• Edgmon Family
• Sequoia Gas Company All-Around Saddle and Award Buckle
Sponsors
• TOM MCWHORTER ALL AROUND COWBOY: MCI Construction
• FRED BARRY MEMORIAL TOP HAND: Law Offices of Patrick Barry
• ALL AROUND COWGIRL: Jack Hurst Trucking
• RANCH BRONC SPONSOR: American Ag Credit
Event Sponsors
• FORTUNA RODEO WEEK: Fortuna Rodeo Association
• COUNTRY ON THE COAST: Mercer-Fraser Company
• FORTUNA RODEO RUN: Six Rivers Running Club
• CHILI COOK-OFF: Fortuna Chamber of Commerce
• CARNIVAL: Fortuna Rodeo Association
• JUNIOR RODEO: Fortuna Junior Rodeo
• STREET GAMES: Fortuna ACE Hardware
• FIREMAN’S GAMES: Fortuna Volunteer Fire Department
• BULL RIDING QUADIATORS EXTRAVAGANZA: Bear River Casino and Resort
• PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Fortuna Kiwanis
• PARADE: Fortuna Rodeo Association
• RODEO SATURDAY: Eureka Chrysler Dodge
• SADDLE BRONCS ONLY!: Whitchurch Engineering and Fortuna Grocery Outlet
5-11 p.m. Rodeo Grounds, Rohner Park. Rodeo Week kicks off with a dynamite concert as the Fortuna Rodeo Association presents Country On The Coast, featuring Bryan Martin with guest stars Alex Key and Timmy McKeever. Get details and tickets at fortunarodeo.com
Sunday • July 13
FORTUNA 5K RODEO RUN
9 a.m., 12th and Main streets in Fortuna. Sponsored by Six Rivers Running Club. For details, contact Catrina Howatt (catrina.howatt@gmail.com) or visit 6rrc.com/2025.html.
Monday • July 14
CHILI COOK-OFF
5 p.m., Main Street, Fortuna. Presented by the Fortuna Chamber of Commerce. Free admission and chili tasting. Live music. Details and entry forms at fortunarodeo. com.
Tuesday • July 15
CARNIVAL
Noon. Rohner Park. Wrist bands $45.
Wednesday • July 16
JUNIOR RODEO
9 a.m. til end. Rodeo Grounds, Rohner Park. Young cowhands compete for saddles, buckles, and cash awards. Free admission. Visit Fortuna Junior Rodeo on Facebook.
CARNIVAL
Noon. Rohner Park. Wrist bands $45. STREET GAMES
6:30-8 p.m., Main Street, Fortuna. ALL children’s events are FREE! Stick Horse Race, Egg Toss, Kid’s Bounce House, Tony Johnston Penny Scramble (ages 3 and under with parents, 4 & 5 Years, 6 & 7 years & more). Refreshments: hamburgers and hotdogs provided by Eel River Valley Technical Rescue Team.
Thursday • July 17
JUNIOR RODEO
9 a.m. til end. Rodeo Grounds, Rohner Park.
CARNIVAL
Noon. Rohner Park. Wrist bands $45.
FIREMAN’S GAMES
6:30-8 p.m. on Main Street. Volunteer firefighters take over Main Street. NOT to be missed!
6-10 p.m. Rodeo Grounds, Rohner Park. Enjoy bull riding, junior bull riding, steer riding, sheep riding, the famous Quadiators, 4-wheeler competitions (barrel racing, hyde racing and relay racing). Featuring the Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls stunt riders and live music by Monument Road. Get details, tickets and entry forms at fortunarodeo.com. $5-$15.
CLEAR BAG POLICY (SEE BELOW) The following are not allowed in the fairgrounds: NO Weapons, laser pointers, artificial noisemakers, professional cameras w/detachable lenses, video cameras (including gopro), banners and signs, outside food and drinks, cans or glass bottles and personal coolers, umbrellas, pets. ALL BAGS, JACKETS, AND BLANKETS WILL BE SEARCHED.
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Please Note TICKETS for all Fortuna Rodeo events are available online CASH ONLY will be accepted at the gate. PRE-SALE TICKETS and Packages are available! ATMs will be on site NO PETS: Fortuna Rodeo Week events are pet-free. Please leave your pets at home. All children’s events are FREE
Saturday • July 19
FORTUNA KIWANIS PANCAKE BREAKFAST
7-10 a.m. Rohner Park Cook Shack.
CARNIVAL
Noon. Rohner Park. Wrist bands $45.
PARADE
11 a.m. Main Street. Theme: “Shake, Rattle & Rodeo!” Parade entries accepted in regular and horse division categories. Get entry forms at fortunarodeo.com.
RODEO
Sponsored by Eureka Chrysler Dodge 1:30-5 p.m. Rodeo Grounds. Featuring the Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls. Tickets: $15 adults, $5 under 12. Signups and tickets at fortunarodeo.com.
SADDLE BRONCS ONLY!
Sponsored by Whitchurch Engineering and Fortuna Grocery Outlet
6 p.m., gates and music. Rodeo Grounds. Live music by Monument Road. Mutton
Bustin’ and Steer Riding at 7 p.m. Featuring the Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls. Bronc riding and breakaway roping at 8 p.m. Tickets: $15 adults, $5 under 12. Get tickets at fortunarodeo.com.
Sunday • July 20
BARBECUE
Sponsored by Pacific Pastures Organic Grass Fed Beef
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Rohner Park. Legendary barbecue and live music. Tickets: $25 at fortunarodeo.com.
CARNIVAL
Noon. Rohner Park. Wrist bands $45.
RODEO
Sponsored by Del Reka Distrubuting 1:30-5 p.m. Rodeo Grounds. Featuring the Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls. Tickets: $15 adults, $5 under 12. Signups and tickets at fortunarodeo.com. ✪
Sav a taste of Italy Bella Italia at
Step into Bella Italia and let every bite take you on a trip to Italy. Enjoy authentic Italian cuisine prepared with passion and served with exceptional service. From classic pasta dishes to delectable desserts, our menu is designed to delight your taste buds. Perfect for a romantic dinner or a family gathering, Bella Italia brings the essence of Italy to your table.
2024 Fortuna Rodeo Champions
WOMAN’S ALL AROUNDBUCKLE – Reagan Russ Presented by Hurst Trucking
Team Roping – Corey and Adam Fitzi
Bull Riding – Cash Robinson
FRED BARRY HUMBOLDT COUNTY TOP HAND – Reagan Langer
Barrel Racing – Reagan Russ Steer Wrestling – Keith Johnson
Tie Down – Ben McWhorter
Breakaway Roping – Kaley Schorovsky
TOM McWHORTER ALL-AROUND COWBOY BUCKLE – Cash Robinson
GARY EDGMON MEMORIAL All Around Saddle – Reagan Langer
Saddle Bronc – Cash Robinson
This Ain’t Christine Barkdull’s First Rodeo (Parade)
By Meg Wall-Wild
Grand Marshal Christine Barkdull was born to ranch, greeting the world for the first time in 1948. Her grandfather bought the Bar W in Hydesville from the Weizel family in 1944. She loved herding cattle and riding the high ridges above Ferndale, where she could see the ocean. She was in her element in the saddle, too. Christine rode off with the title of Best Junior Cowgirl in the 1956 Fortuna Rodeo Parade. Nine years later, she was named a rodeo theme girl, like a rodeo queen, just not a registered official one.
Barkdull absorbed all she could
about the family ranch. “I always knew I was going to run it. I had it in my heart,” she says. She graduated from Fortuna High School alongside four classmates who started school with her at Bridgeville Elementary. She attended California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, earning a degree in agricultural business management. The Bar W was always in the back of her mind.
After graduation, Barkdull could not find a job in her field so she worked for the IRS before heading back to Humboldt. The Bar W was not ready for her just yet. Never one to sit still, Christine taught at then
Continued on page 16
A young Christine Barkdull in her role as a 1965 rodeo theme girl. Submitted
Humboldt State University while she earned her CPA. That degree led to a position with an accounting firm in Sacramento. But Sacramento was not Humboldt.
“Country girls find our way off, then find our way back,” Barkdull says before confessing that by 1979 she could no longer resist the call of the range. She and her mother bought a ranch together in Loleta, where her mother was raised. “Mom was an astute businesswoman, ahead of her time. Dad was a great stockman, but she had the head for business.” They ran the business together for almost 10 years before buying out her aunt and uncle’s stake in the Bar W herd. When her mother passed away in 1999, Christine took over. The little girl who once rode the ridge dreaming now picked up the reins and kept herding black Angus from the back of her nimble quarter horse.
Barkdull says she enjoys ranching because it allows her to work as she wants. “I love running cattle,” she said. You can hear that love in her voice. But she is her mother’s daughter — an astute businesswoman. Like most successful ranchers, she keeps her ear to the ground. That includes being a member of four trade associations: California Cattlemen, California Cattlewomen, Humboldt Cattlemen and Humboldt Cattlewomen. That is dedication.
But the Bar W is the center of Barkdull’s world. She loves what she does, and where she is able to do it. The high Hydesville ridge is 35 minutes from town. “It’s the perfect lady’s ranch. Paved road to the door, 35 minutes to town, not much snow, no rattlesnakes.” She pauses before adding that she did see one rattlesnake, shaking its warning from a coil of rusted barbed wire. “Even if you’ve never seen one, you know what that sound is!” Fortunately, the rattlers stick to the other side of her high ridge. Mostly.
Grand Marshal Christine Barkdull blazed a trail from the Bar W gate that eventually led back. Show her you are glad she marked that trail for others to follow back home to Humboldt. Pick your spot by 11 a.m. on July 19. Raise a cheer for Christine in the 104th Fortuna Rodeo Parade as she passes along the same route she rode at the 35th Fortuna Rodeo Parade. ✪
Grab your dancing partner and head down to Country on the Coast at the Fortuna Rodeo Grounds on Friday, July 12, at 5 p.m. The triple-threat lineup of Bryan Martin, Alex Key and Timmy McKeever will keep your boots tapping. Pendleton Whiskey’s full bar and Eel River Brewing Co. will keep your thirst quenched. A herd of local chuckwagons have gathered to help maintain your strength so you can boot-scoot under the stars.
Headliner Bryan Martin’s music is much like himself — hardscrabble working-man experiences distilled into country melodies. His lyrics, like in the popular “Everyone’s an Outlaw” show you what he’s learned about life: “Try to see the world through your neighbor’s eyes, And make a difference if you can.” Martin drives a rocking tune, too. Have you heard “We Ride” yet? Better yet, come hear it live for the
first time. The former bull rider from Louisiana has more than 800 million career streams under his belt.
Alex Key hung on tight when his album Outdated debuted at No. 1 on Amazon. Songs like “Haunted House” kept the album at the top of iTunes’ charts for several weeks with his classic country sounds of steel and strings (fiddle, that is). He already has the ear of 1 million followers. Come hear him for yourself!
California’s own Timmy McKeever rounds out the bill. His debut album Devils & Angels includes the popular “I’ve Known Better,” which enticed listeners to hit that listen button 2.5 million times. Find out why “Lightning Speed” is his favorite when you hear him sing it live.
Tickets are $50 (general seating), $75 (arena) and $100 (VIP). Parking in Rohner Park is by paid permit ($12), but there will be a free shuttle running from Newburg Park. ✪
Timmy McKeever
Bryan Martin
Alex Key
Lucas Thornton Captures the Shake and Rattle of the Rodeo
By Meg Wall-Wild
Fortuna-born Lucas Thornton captured the explosive energy of a bucking bull in a vibrant painting that will be auctioned on Saturday, July 19, during Saddle Broncs Only! Thornton credits encouragement from his artist grandmother and talented parents. He began honing his craft with local artist Duane Flatmo, who taught Thornton’s sixth grade class to make masks. He was 14 years old when Flatmo invited him to paint the first of many murals. Thornton eventually joined Flatmo in creating some of the unique kinetic sculptures that race along 42 miles of Humboldt coastline every May in the Kinetic Grand Championship. He took over for his mentor’s kinetic duties in 2015, when it was time to pass the blowtorch, freeing Flatmo to dazzle the crowds at Burning Man. Thornton has
2025 Fortuna Rodeo poster art by Lucas Thornton.
also created and painted surfboards for his business WoodFoot Surfcraft, a most Humboldtian use of his creative skills. He does not limit his talents to traditional art materials, as you can see when visiting his C Street Hall studio during Arts Alive. Or head over to Ray’s Foods to see his mural “Greetings from Fortuna,” a retro postcard homage to the town.
Lucas Thornton was inspired to paint this particular bull rider from a frozen moment he captured in a photograph at the 2024 Fortuna Rodeo. The high school cowboy made a lasting impression on the artist, and not just because of the long ride. “That bull was terrifying!” he recalls. You can honor that brave young man on the angry white bull with the black eye by bidding high. Your donation will help fund the 105th Fortuna Rodeo. ✪
Lucas Thornton. Courtesy of the artist
Bull Riding Quadiators Extravaganza! Brings the Beef
By Meg Wall-Wild
With a sharp clang of the gate, 1,800 pounds of mad beefsteak still on the hoof is let loose. The crowd cheers as the bucking beast works to unseat the cowboy stuck on his back like a burr. Adrenaline flows during high-octane barrel and relay races. The hide race looks hair raising! You know you want to see it all for yourself, and you will on Friday, July 18, from 6 to 10 p.m. ($15 adults/$5 under 12) at the Fortuna Rodeo’s Bull Riding Quadiators Extravaganza!
The famed Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls will thrill you with daring feats of riding and roping that will leave you awestruck. The daring team performed for expert horsewoman Queen Elizabeth at her Diamond Jubilee, so you know they have the right stuff and then some.
Fortuna’s modern-day gladiators the Quadiators are ready for battle. They don’t wear Roman skirts of studded leather, but they do wear helmets and carry padded sticks to beat each other as their quads zoom around the arena. No need for a thumbs down as this is all in good fun. Competition is heated because the winning team of two (one driver, one beater) takes home a prize of their defeated opponents’ registration fees plus an added $500. Did you sign up in time? If not, scope out your competition for next year.
After the dust settles, the music of Monument Road fills the air. Luke Lancaster and the boys bring the classics and current country toe tappers. You’ll want to dance long into the beautiful July night! Or at least until the music stops.
Quadiators take to the arena Friday Night. Facebook
Above and right: The grace and athletics of the Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls. Brandi Phillips/Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls
Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls
THE ZWERDLING LAW FIRM, LLP thanks you for supporting local community events like the FORTUNA RODEO . Our partner Heidi Wells is a former rodeo queen and avid equestrian. The dedication, patience, and grit required in the arena make her an empathetic advocate and fierce litigator. If you or your loved one have suffered an injury or loss of a family member, we invite you to call for a free and confidential evaluation of your case. Our attorneys and staff are here to listen and to serve.
Heidi Wells of The Zwerdling Law Firm with her horse Maddie Mae
Chuckwagons Circle Country on the Coast
By Meg Wall-Wild
Cowpoke-gourmet grub reigns supreme during Fortuna Rodeo Week. The first Eel River Brewing Co. brew is drawn on Saturday, July 12, with the final call washing down the last tasty morsel on Sunday, July 20. The popular Kiwanis mimosas are back, too. Local nonprofits offer you a fair trade — your bucks go to feed you and support Fortuna
at the same time. It’s a win-win with the added bonus of no dishes to wash. More time for family fun!
New this year is the fleet of food trucks ready to fuel you up so you can dance all night at Country on the Coast on Saturday, July 12. Sample the best mobile Humboldt has to offer: the Couxp, Fry Burger, Frybread Love, Humboldt Bay Burgers, Little Bits, Lon-
continued on page 25
Head for Main Street on Monday, July 14, for the Fortuna Chamber of Commerce Chili Cookoff. Carol Niles Photography
continued from page 23
cheria mi Pueblito, Manzanilla Kitchen and Patron Kitchen. The legendary Humboldt County Cattlewomen’s tritip sandwich makes a special appearance, giving you four opportunities to indulge instead of the usual three. With fried chicken, burritos, frybread, burgers (gourmet or classic), and everything in between, even picky eaters will be spoiled for choice. Buttercream Broomstick offers temptations to satisfy your honey’s sweet tooth, while Vampire Penguin cools you down with an icy delight. Designated drivers will find refreshment at Easy Squeezy Lemonade, and adult passengers will be tempted by the full bar stocked by Pendleton Whiskey and Eel River Brewing Co.
At 5 p.m. on Monday, July 14, hungry Fortunans head to Main Street with spoon in hand. The annual Fortuna Chamber of Commerce Chili Cookoff is where you will find a rollicking good time and gallons upon gallons of chili. Watch the exalted judges stir the pot of rivalries (when not tasting chili, of course). Can anyone beat perennial People’s Choice Wyckoff’s Plumbing? Will you brave a bite from 2024 Fortuna’s Hottest Chili winner Humboldt Spice Company? FYI: The judges witness hottest chili entrants eating their own dish to make sure no one (especially the judges) spontaneously combusts when tongues register OTT Scoville Units. Ferndale’s Luke Powell takes the stage with guitar in hand to distract you from the burn. Listen to
this local rising star now so you can say, “I heard him first at the Fortuna Rodeo Chili Cookoff!” Awards are announced at 6:45 p.m., so get ready to cheer for the winners.
Every member of the family’s appetites can easily be tamed by the vendors of scrumptious victuals from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, July 18, to Sunday, July 20. While you have your annual Humboldt County Cattlewomen’s tri tip sandwich, your partner is eyeing a pulled pork burrito from the Fortuna High School Husky Boosters. The Native Sons of the Golden West have hot dogs and brats to keep your young cowhands happy, and oysters for you to keep happy, too. The Fortuna Fire Ladies Auxiliary brings hamburgers and chili to spice things up.
It’s finally time for that beloved family tradition — the Fortuna Rodeo Pancake Breakfast! Bring the whole family because the stacks are golden and the syrup is flowing at the Rohner Park Cook Shack on Saturday, July 19. You can treat those hardworking moms and grandmoms to a mimosa, and get a glass of milk for those who still get regular visits from the tooth fairy. Hot chocolate, coffee and juice will be poured with a smile, too. The first jack is flapped at 7 a.m., with the last hitting the plate at 10 a.m. Thank those generous Kiwanis members for feeding your hungry crew and investing in Fortuna’s children ($10/adult and $6/child, $7/mimosa).
The Kings of the Firepit are back
at Rohner Park on Sunday, July 20, for the Fortuna Rodeo Barbecue. There’s a hunger that can only be satisfied by one thing: deep pit beef barbecue. Stacks of buns and heaps of potato salad wait to fill your plate. Beans? Of course! The process starts on Saturday, when 4,000 pounds of Pacific Pastures grass-fed beef is lovingly seasoned. The pit is carefully prepared with wood split to suit. It is then, and only then, time for meat to meet heat. The overnight fire pit vigil by the volunteer team is the stuff of legends. When you taste the fruits
of their labors, you too will sing the praises of the pit. Be there at 11 a.m. if you want that first plate. Competition is stiff! The last ladle of beans gets scooped at 1 p.m. Go to fortunarodeo.com to get your tickets ($25) in advance. Don’t be that dude with the long face holding an empty plate. Sunday is also Del Reka Distributing Day, so there are plenty of cold brews to keep you nice and chill. You’ve had breakfast and lunch at the rodeo, so you might as well stay for supper before heading home to dream of the 105th Fortuna Rodeo. ✪
Firepit Kings reign supreme at the deep pit barbecue, Sunday morning, July 20. File photo
Cute Cowpokes Take Over the Town
By Meg Wall-Wild
The cheer goes up around town. It’s Rodeo Week when kids rule over Main Street! Do you remember your very first carnival ride, hanging on for dear life while giggling like a fool? It’s now time to pass that memory of childhood joy to your own children at the Fortuna Rodeo Carnival starting Tuesday, July 15. The kaleidoscope of colors will dazzle your little tyke as they try to see everything all at once. Rides and games (and funnel cake!) can be enjoyed by parents, too. Carnival ride bracelets will be on hand (well,
wrists) for $45. The carnival is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from noon until 11 p.m., and Friday, Saturday and Sunday from noon until midnight. That gives you time to put the kids to bed and sneak down for a cuddle at the top of the Ferris wheel. Street Games are back on Wednesday, July 16, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Main Street gives way to the entertainment of the smallest cowpokes with gently competitive events for ages 3 years and under (with parents), 4 and 5 years, and 6 and 7 years (and up). The humble cent won’t be around forever, so the Tony Johnston Penny Scramble may need to upgrade to nickels. Until
Things get wet and wild during Thursday’s Firemen’s Games.
Photo by Carol Niles Photography
then, let the copper pennies fall where they may while the children squeal in delight! The bounce house is so much fun it requires multiple visits. The rodeo wannabes line up to show off their equine skills in the Stick Horse Race. See who will end up with yolk on their face after the Egg Toss. The Eel River Technical Rescue Team lives up to its name by serving up hamburgers and hot dogs to hungry families. This free family event is the talk of the plushie pony set.
Volunteer firefighters fan their competitive flames during the Firemen’s Games on Thursday, July 17, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Main Street gets a bit damp as the firefighter’s muster threatens to douse all in maximum fun.
The competitive men and women of Ferndale, Fortuna and Loleta volunteer fire departments run the hose relay and bucket brigade to gain bragging rights for the year. Come cheer for these brave, drenched public servants! Floats will shake, rattle and roll down Main Street during the 104th Fortuna Rodeo Parade on Saturday, July 19. Old Glory leads the way at 11 a.m., followed by Grand Marshal Christine Barkdull of the Bar W Ranch. (She was also named Best Junior Cowgirl at the 1956 Fortuna Rodeo Parade.) Little kids love it when the fire engines blast their horns. Big kids love the classic cars. There are even princesses (dairy) for those who adore royalty. And bespangled horses, of course! ✪
Kids scramble for pennies during the Street Games.
Photo by Carol Niles Photography
Frank Hizer Opened Fortuna’s Doors
By Meg Wall-Wild
When community members like 90-years-young Frank Hizer pass on, the hole they leave may not be obvious at first. Then one day you notice gaps created by his absence are being bridged by the people he left behind. Frank wove his magic throughout Fortuna, leaving a legacy based on love and humor.
The California native was born in 1934, the son of a logging family. Hizer met his first wife, Shirley Luster, at Arcata High School. The two moved
to San Diego, where Frank served in the Navy on the USS Sperry. When the family, which now included little Donna and Joe, moved back to Humboldt, Frank’s Naval Master Welder certification was in his pocket.
After an uncomfortable stint welding for PG&E, Frank found that the place he belonged was the one he created himself. Fortuna Wheel and Brake opened its doors in 1961. Frank immediately settled into all things mechanical for the next five decades. Occasionally, he popped his head out
2006 Fortuna Rodeo Grand Marshall Frank Hizer. Submitted
from under the hood to show horses.
Like many dads, he got involved in youth sports. Hizer played a pivotal position in starting up Fortuna’s Pop Warner Football, now ERV Youth Football. Ever community minded, he joined clubs, including the Jaycees, and served organizations like the Fortuna Union High School Board. Somehow, in 1965 he also found time to join the Fortuna Volunteer Fire Department. He rushed to give aid to Fortuna’s hurt and helpless for 43 years, climbing up Company 3 Hook and Ladder to reach its highest rung — Fire Chief.
“The last 50 years, if you saw Frank, you saw me. We always had something to do together,” Joe Toroni said of his friend. He and Hizer were in the handful of serious motorheads who founded the popular Fortuna Redwood AutoXpo. Toroni was proud that Frank “entertained downtown for an entire week” when serving on the Fortuna Rodeo Board.
Fortuna was proud of Frank Hizer, too. He garnered a few awards and posts to prove it: Fire Chief (20012006), Citizen of the Year (2002), Fireman of the Year (2005) and Fortuna Rodeo Parade Grand Marshal (2006).
Hizer loved to share his community with others. He began dating his second wife, local teacher Linda, in
1999. “I was more reserved,” she said, “but I got to meet everybody. Frank brought me into his family. He opened up the doors and windows to his community and pulled me through.” Her gratitude for how Frank opened up her life comes through. “I would not have the social circle I have if I hadn’t met him.”
Fortuna Wheel and Brake was another avenue for Frank to recruit people to support his community. Frank’s “work wife” Kathy Wildgrube soon found herself serving as the Redwood AutoXpo secretary. “I learned so much from Frank. He was full of jokes and knowledge. He cared for everybody. I just can’t say enough about him. He used to get me into trouble sometimes, like a real wife!”
Frank’s years of service to the Fortuna Rodeo was celebrated when he was named Grand Marshal. Four generations of the Hizer family turned out to parade in his honor, including his baby great-grandson.
The legacy of a man happy to pull apart pistons continues through Frank and Joe’s touring car. “We donated it to Fortuna High School to get kids interested in building motors and hot rods.” Don’t be surprised if you see the rizzedup car in a future Redwood AutoXpo.
The care he had for his community and its people makes it easy for them to keep doing what Hizer loved to do. Linda continues to do what she can for this year’s AutoXpo, taking place July 25-27. “We are dedicating this year’s dance and show to Frank and another member, Pauline Evans. It will be extra special,” she said with a thick voice. “He was a great man. Fiesty!” Frank’s legacy and his beloved 1967 Chevelle convertible are in good hands.
As Hizer stepped back from public life his community roles were filled by people who cared. Celebrate his love of Fortuna by filling roles of your own. Meanwhile, raise a glass with a hearty, “For Frank!” ✪
Saturday’s Saddle
Broncs Only!
By Meg Wall-Wild
The gates open at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, as Monument Road plays you into your evening. This talented local band will get your family swinging to a hip country beat. Their playlist aims to please all ages, so you might wind up getting down with your country lovin’ kid.
Get your guffaws ready to go. It’s time for junior mutton busting! There is a reason that riding sheep is not a regular pastime but a gleeful spectator sport. Picture young cowpokes bouncing around the ring on darting balls of fleece. Steer riding and ribbon racing add to your family’s enjoyment.
The Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls are back to wow your Stetson right off your noggin. The talented trick riders seem to defy gravity, and they could give Wonder Woman a few lasso tips. Not only can they hang upside down while galloping hell bent for leather,
they make it look easy.
Artist Lucas Thornton painted a stunner for this year’s Rodeo Art Auction. You couldn’t help but notice the poster in windows around town. You may find that the big white bull with the wild black eye has cast a spell on you and end up bidding. The auction supports the 105th Fortuna Rodeo, so your winning bid goes to a good cause.
At 8 p.m. the atmosphere changes as Saddle Broncs Only! rides in. Break roping drives up the suspense. Which way will that cow pivot? Then a wild flurry of horse and rider captivates the entire arena. This bronc is determined to remind the rider clinging to their arching back that they were once the king of the open range. Who will last the longest? Seconds seem like minutes as the crowd holds its breath, yet it’s over in a flash when rider hits the dirt. But did they stay on long enough to win the night? ✪
Saddle broncs get buckin’ at 8 p.m.
Photo by Gerard Horan
Frank Hizer. Submitted
Rodeo Events
Shake,
Rattle and Rodeo!
Welcome to the 103rd annual Fortuna Rodeo, the centerpiece of the Friendly City’s weeklong summer celebration! Fortuna is proud to offer the largest rodeo in the region, giving cowboys up and down the state a chance to show off the skills that built the American West.
Photo by Phil Doyle
Photo by Gerard Horan
In addition to competing in the individual events, which are described in the following pages, each cowboy’s individual scores are totaled together to make them eligible for three all-around cowboy prizes — the rodeo’s top honors. They are:
Tom McWhorter Memorial
All-Around Cowboy
Award given to the cowboy who has won the most money overall across all events of the rodeo.
Sponsor: Mobley Construction (MCI)
The Fred Barry Memorial
Top Hand
Award for the Humboldt County Top Hand. Given to the Humboldt County-based cowboy with the highest overall standings in all events of the rodeo.
Sponsor: Law O ces of Patrick J. Barry
All-Around Cowgirl
Awarded to the cowgirl who has won the most money.
Sponsor: Jack Hurst Trucking
JACK HURST TRUCKING
continued on page 33
Law Offices of Patrick J. Barry
Photo by Phil Doyle
Photo by Gerard Horan
Bull Riding
Maybe the most popular event and probably the most dangerous, bull riding is a battle of wits and brute strength between a cowboy and the most dangerous of ranch animals. The cowboy attempts to ride for eight seconds, strapped to a bucking, whirling 1-ton bull, holding on with only one hand. This is a judged competition: Points are awarded for the cowboy’s form and for the di culty of the ride. But if the rider is bucked o , or if he touches the bull with his free hand, he is disqualified.
continued on page 35
Photo by Phil Doyle
continued from page 33
Tie-down roping — also called calf roping — introduces another element into the mix. Not only must the cowboy rope the animal, as in breakaway roping, he must also bring it to a full stop and immobilize it. After the animal is lassoed, the cowboy dismounts and runs to the calf carrying a small rope in his teeth. He then throws the calf to the ground and binds three of its legs, after which he signals to the judges and time is called. The event isn’t over, though — if the calf kicks o the rope on its legs within six seconds, the contestant is disqualified. Rodeo Events
Tie Down Roping
continued on page 37
Photo by Gerard Horan
Rodeo Events
continued from page 35
Saddle Bronc
Bronc riding comes from the essential cowboy skill of taming (or “breaking”) a horse for use. As in bull riding, a contestant must stay atop the wild animal for eight seconds using only one hand. But the bronc rider has additional considerations — he is also judged on how well he spurs the horse to action with his boots, and he must keep his feet in the stirrups at all times. Bronc riders come out of the chute with their legs over the horse’s shoulders in order to give the animal the initial advantage.
continued on next page »
Photo by Gerard Horan
Rodeo Events
continued from previous page
Steer Wrestling
Steer wrestling (or “bulldogging”) tests the cowboy’s strength as well as his skill at handling both horse and cattle. In this timed event, the steer leaves the chute at a run, tailed by one horseman (“the hazer”) who keeps the animal running in a straight line. After a head start, the barrier holding back the mounted contestant is tripped, and the steer wrestler races after his quarry. When he catches up, he dismounts his horse at a run and transfers his weight to the steer, which he then wrestles to the ground. Quickest time wins, but as with all timed events the contestant gets a 10-second penalty if he leaves the chute too early.
Photo by Carol Niles Photography
Ribbon Roping
In this two-person, timed rodeo event, the roper, who starts out in the box, and the runner, who starts from another location in the arena determined by the field judge, attempt to rope a steer and take a ribbon from its tail. Once the steer comes through the barrier, the roper can use any catch to rope it, then loop the rope around their saddle horn. The runner then snatches the ribbon from the steer’s tail and sprints to the box with the barrier as the finish line.
Brett Rojo, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Team Roping
The only team event in the rodeo, team roping features two di erent styles of lasso work. A steer leaves the chute running. After a short head start, two cowboys follow on horseback. The first must rope the animal’s head or horns to stop its forward progress, moving it into a turn. Then the second — the “heeler” — attempts to lasso the animal’s rear legs. A five-second penalty is assessed if he manages to rope only one leg. The clock is stopped when the steer is fully roped and the contestants’ two horses face one another.
Breakaway Roping
This fast-paced event is the purest test of a cowgirl’s lasso skills. As in steer wrestling, a calf leaves the chute at a run and after a head start trips the barrier holding back the cowgirl. The contestant then gives chase and attempts to lasso the calf’s head. She has the rope tied to her saddle horn with a string and halts her horse. Time is called when the calf, which is still running, breaks the string.
Barrel Racing
The premier women’s event in the rodeo, barrel racing is the ultimate test of speed and agility. Riders attempt to run a cloverleaf pattern around the three barrels in the fastest time possible. The quickness of the clockwise and counterclockwise pivots around the barrels are crucial, as is the final sprint back to the starting line. Riders are penalized five seconds if they tip over a barrel. ✪
Photo by Phil Doyle
And they’re off! 139 racers (not counting the dog) participated in the 2024 race. For all results and more photos, visit.6rrc.com.
Photos courtesy of Six Rivers Running Club
Fortuna Rodeo Runners Compete on Main Street
By Meg Wall-Wild
Asharp report ricochets down Main Street. It’s the starter’s gun for the 5k Fortuna Rodeo Run. The Six Rivers Running Club invites you to beat the time of last year’s course champions, Juan Ornelas (18:00) and Amy Alzina (19:29). Toe the line at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 13. Register online or arrive at least 30 to 40 minutes early that morning to sign up before starter’s orders. The run is free for Six Rivers Running Club members, $10 for non-members. Conveniently, the Redwood Cafe at 12th and Main streets serves as start and finish.
Your family can set a blistering pace or coast down the street like little 2-year-old Oliver and his parents did last year, when the smiling Cruz family clocked in with a course time of just over one hour. Amparo Mendez was the oldest female participant at 83 years old, but not the last, besting Olivia Matias by one second to grab the penultimate spot. Go put those new running shoes in your trunk because the challenge has been issued. ✪
Juan Ornelas was first to cross the finish line at 18:00..
Amy Alzina was the first woman across the finsh line with a time of 19:29.
One Hundred Years of Fortuna Rodeo
By Susan J.P. O’Hara and Alex Service
During the long history of the Fortuna Rodeo, many “firsts” have marked new ideas and new ways of building community involvement. Some of these firsts became treasured annual events; others lasted only a few years. Some became Fortuna Rodeo lore, preserving the memory of past rodeo heroes and setting standards for present competitors to achieve or surpass.
Chief among all “Fortuna Rodeo firsts” is the first Fortuna Rodeo itself, held at the newly created Rohner Park on August 27 and 28, 1921. It was sponsored by the Humboldt County Stockmen’s Association as entertainment for their annual picnic. Cowboys put on riding exhibitions to thrill the audience as well as some actual contests with local cowboys riding alongside Ty Stokes and Jesse Stahl, two well-known African American riders who were among the best rodeoers of the 1920s. Jesse Stahl was posthumously recognized for his abilities in 1979 when he was inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame, and he was the first of the many future Hall of Famers who rode at the Fortuna Rodeo.
By 1925, the local businessmen became involved in the rodeo, ensuring its position as one of Fortuna’s summer festivities. In 1927, the businessmen created the first Fortuna Rodeo parade,
described at the time as a “historical pageant.” The parade featured an ox cart, a covered wagon and a stagecoach, with parade participants dressed as figures from California’s past such as padres and aristocrats from Spanish California, gold miners and pioneers. Members of the Hupa Tribe performed their White Deerskin Dance in what is believed to be the first time since 1879 that the dance was performed in public. Another first from 1927 was the first Fortuna Rodeo queen contest, won by Maxine Gould.
The first rodeo sponsored solely by the Fortuna Businessmen’s Association was held in 1930. The stockmen felt they could no longer support the rodeo financially, due to the stock market crash of 1929. The Fortuna Rodeo made it through the first years of the Great Depression, but ultimately was canceled due to the economic hard times in 1934 and 1935. However, the rodeo returned with renewed vigor in 1936. At this time the “penny scramble” became a feature of Rodeo Week. This event is now for children only, but when it began, it was open to everyone (thanks to the Depression, most people could use a bit of extra pocket money). Also in the late 1930s, the Fortuna Volunteer Fire Department became involved with the rodeo, sponsoring the traditional Saturday night dance. The
Photo courtesy of the Depot Museum
rodeo returned to its preeminence on the Professional Rodeo circuit, with riders such as Hall of Famer and National Champion Johnnie Schneider riding and roping at the event. The year 1941 marked a Fortuna Rodeo high point when renowned rodeo photographer DeVere Helfrich attended and captured the action, his photographs chronicling national competitors as well as regional riders such as local favorite Clarence Bugenig.
In 1942, the Fortuna Businessmen decided to cancel the rodeo in order to focus on the war effort. However, that year a one-day amateur rodeo was sponsored by the Fortuna unit of the Women’s Ambulance and Defense Corps. The women used the money raised at this rodeo for purchasing an ambulance for local use during World War II. In 1943, the Armed Forces requested that the rodeo not be held, since if an emergency caused the highway to be closed, rodeo attendees would be stranded. Also, many of the local businessmen, as well as the cowboys themselves, were serving in the Armed Forces. With the end of the war, the rodeo resumed in 1946. Many favorite events returned, such as the penny scramble (which had now become a kids-only event), a carnival, dances and a large parade.
marshal was Captain Leroy Gates, who served as an air force pilot in both WWII and the Korean War and was one of the founders of the Rohnerville Airport. A rodeo tradition begun in 1953 was a pancake breakfast during Rodeo Weekend. This event was first sponsored by the women’s service organization the Quota Club, then by the Business and Professional Women’s Association from 1959 onward, and then from 1997 by the Fortuna chapter of the Kiwanis Club.
teers and featuring a closely-guarded secret recipe.
A major first for the Fortuna Rodeo came in 1951, when the Fortuna Rodeo Association was formed, with a board made up of equal numbers from the Fortuna Volunteer Fire Department and the Fortuna Chamber of Commerce. The by-laws developed by the Association, which are still followed today, state that once expenses are paid, all funds raised by the rodeo will be used to maintain and improve facilities at Rohner Park.
The 1953 rodeo was the official celebration of the City of Fortuna’s “Diamond Jubilee” 75th anniversary. This year may also have been the first to feature a grand marshal for the Fortuna Rodeo parade. In 1953 the parade’s
In 1954, Clarence Bugenig won the local champion saddle. The year 1954 also saw the final professional rodeo held in Fortuna. In 1955, the Rodeo Association decided the Fortuna Rodeo would become an amateurs-only event. They hired Dick Hemsted to provide the stock animals, which Hemsted Rodeos continued to do into the 1990s. The 1950s also saw the return of the deep-pit rodeo barbecue and the queen contest. The first Fortuna Rodeos back in the 1920s had featured free barbecues, with stockmen donating the animals, but now the Rodeo Association charged a small admission fee for the ever-popular meal created by a team of volunteers led by “SuperChef” Nat Evans, inventor of a secret blend of meat-seasoning spices. To this day, the beloved tradition of the Fortuna Rodeo barbecue continues, made possible by dedicated volun-
In 1964, Al Cooper won the first of his four local champion saddles and in 1965, Charlie Rodriquez won the first of his five local championships. These two men would remain the competitors with the highest number of local champion wins at the Fortuna Rodeo until Casey Minton achieved an astounding nine local champion saddles in the early 2000s. Popular Rodeo Week events in downtown Fortuna in the 1960s included street dances, a greased pole climbing contest, greased pig contest and an orange crate race, first sponsored by the Fortuna Junior Chamber of Commerce (the Jaycees) in 1966. In the late 1960s, the tradition began of the Volunteer Fire Department hosting a Firemen’s Games event on Main Street during Rodeo Week. For three years in the 1970s, Rodeo Week festivities included a children’s parade. Youngsters from the Strehl and Ryles families were among the frequent winners of children’s parade awards for entries like their “Five Little Ducks” in the 1974 “Disneyland of the West” kiddies’ parade. In 1975, a horseshoe-pitching competition became part of the Rodeo Week lineup, and around this same time, bicycle races were added to the week’s activities. Also for the first time in 1975, a volunteer Fortuna Rodeo Band was created to take part in the rodeo parade, composed of students from the local schools along with other community members. In 1976, the year of the United States’ Bicentennial celebrations, the Jaycees sponsored their first Fortuna Rodeo Tennis Tournament, which would be part of the annual events until the early 1990s.
The Rodeo Association declared that 1979’s event would be the 50th anniversary rodeo, although later re-calculation led to the conclusion that this milestone was actually a few years off. (Matters were complicated by the several years without a Fortuna
Rodeo during the Great Depression and World War II, and by disagreement about which events had been official Fortuna Rodeos.) As part of the official celebrations of the rodeo’s first 50 years, a Friday night fireworks display became part of Rodeo Week, remaining a highlight of the festivities until 1986.
In 1980, for the first time, Outhouse Races were added to the Rodeo Week fun. This rip-roaring event continued until 1985 and later was re-introduced for several more years in the early 2000s. Early in the 1980s, the merchants of the new Redwood Village Mall began sponsoring Rodeo Week entertainments, and during this decade, Redwood Village would become the location for the kids’ activities on the Tuesday of Rodeo Week.
A major milestone took place in 1984: for the first time, the winner of the local all-around champion saddle was a woman. Suzi Fusi captured the honor only one year after riding in her first rodeo (at the Fortuna Rodeo in 1983). Fusi also won the Pro Rodeo California Cowboys Association’s 1984 award for Rookie of the Year. In the first 100 years of the Fortuna Rodeo, two other competitors have joined Suzi Fusi in the ranks of women who have been Fortuna’s local all-around champions: Sherry Luman in 1988 and Jennifer Renner in 2019.
Foot races through town had joined the Rodeo Week lineup in or around 1980, and by 1984, the annual Fortuna Rodeo Fun Run was sponsored by the Six Rivers Running Club. Two beloved Fortuna Rodeo traditions came into being in 1986: the “kidnapped tourists” trial and the chili cook-off. The first tourists to be “kidnapped” and treated to a free weekend of rodeo-themed hospitality were Al and Raylene Key, a honeymooning couple from Vermont. Tourists continued to be “kidnapped” as part of the Rodeo Week shindigs until the final abduction of a vacationing family during the rodeo celebrations in 2016. The first chili cook-off took place in the parking lot of Del’s Liquors and Deli on Fortuna Boulevard; in later years the event would move to
Photo courtesy of the Depot Museum
Enjoy the Rodeo!
continued from page 45
its current downtown location on Main Street. A major difference between the early chili cook-offs and the event we know today was a lack of beans: the “Fortuna Rodeo Chili Society” declared that “true chili” consists of “any kind of meat, or combinations of meats, cooked with chili peppers, various other spices and other ingredients, with the exception of items such as beans or spaghetti which are strictly forbidden.” Also in 1986, the Rodeo Association unveiled the first annual Country Music Showdown at the rodeo grounds. For several years, the showdown would be a highlight of Friday night’s events.
An “ugly dog contest” was introduced in Rodeo Week 1988, and took place for several years. Cyrus Comer’s Dalmatian/English bulldog mix Jeremiah was the first pooch to be proclaimed Fortuna’s ugliest dog; in subsequent years Charlie Washburn’s scruffy little canine Rambo would be Jeremiah’s biggest rival for the title.
The biggest Fortuna Rodeo first of the 1990s was the creation in 1994 of a junior rodeo, the Fortuna Junior Round-Up. The event would grow to become one of the biggest and most popular junior rodeos in the northwest. In the late 1990s, Fortuna’s own West Coast Rodeo Co. inherited the mantle of the Hemsted Rodeo Company, becoming the stock contractor for the Fortuna Rodeo.
In the year 2000, the Rodeo Association decided to change the way past rodeos were counted. Things had gotten confusing over the years, with disagreements about the number of years in which no Fortuna Rodeo took place. From 2000 onward, the rodeos have been reckoned by the number of years since 1921’s first Fortuna Rodeo. This change created what might seem to be a case of time travel: 1999’s Fortuna Rodeo was advertised as the 70th annual rodeo, and 2000’s was the 79th. In 2002, the Association introduced “Family Night” at the rodeo grounds as a highlight of Rodeo Week’s Friday, with kid-focused activities such as piñatas and an “animal scramble.” Over the next few years, Friday’s activities morphed into the wild competition
known as the Quadiators, and Friday became Motorsports Night at the Fortuna Rodeo.
The year 2006 brought another Fortuna first: the tradition of commissioning an original artwork each year to illustrate the rodeo’s posters and program. Don Brown, who was then the Rodeo Association member in charge of advertising, brought the idea to Fortuna. The first Fortuna Rodeo painting, by Arcata artist Forest Stearns, shows Ben McWhorter bullriding, with Roy Curless and Tom McWhorter among the spectators.
In 2013, a new event joined Saturday night’s lineup: Bands, Bulls and Brews (another b-word, Broncs, would later be added to the title). That first Bands, Bulls and Brews also featured a game of “cowboy poker,” pitting card-players in the arena against a bull: the last player to leave the table, after the bull had chased all the other players away, was the winner. Among the most recent Fortuna Rodeo firsts, in 2017, the elite bullfighting cadre Bullfighters Only, based in San Antonio, Texas, became the central attraction during Friday night’s festivities.
Some Fortuna Rodeo firsts are far less welcome than others. In 2020, due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, what would have been the 99th anniversary Fortuna Rodeo instead became the first Fortuna Rodeo to be cancelled since the end of World War II.
Since almost the very beginnings of the Fortuna Rodeo, it has been traditional for rodeo organizers to declare that the next year’s rodeo will be “bigger and better” than the one before. In 2021, for the 100th anniversary rodeo, a bigger and better rodeo again takes its rightful place as one of the greatest annual celebrations of life in the Friendly City of Fortuna. ✪
Historians Susan J.P. O’Hara and Alex Service are the authors of In and Around the Arena: The 100 Year History of the Fortuna Rodeo. The book, featuring over 800 photographs from the collections of local community members and museums, is available at the Fortuna Depot Museum and other local stores.
Saddle & Silver
There are plenty of reasons to mount up for rodeo competition, practice for countless hours and risk injury in the dusty arena. But long after the cheering has subsided and the purse is spent, the trophies taken home by champion cowboys shine on. Here are the the storied prizes riders are shooting for at the Fortuna Rodeo.
Gary Edgmon
Memorial Saddle
The Gary Edgmon Memorial Saddle is awarded to the top local all-around cowboy. Competitors must reside in Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity or Mendocino counties to qualify for this award. Edgmon was the owner of Ferndale Meat Co. and a member of the Fortuna Rodeo Board for many years. He was in charge of the rodeo’s deep pit barbecue while on the board and he served up a great meal. Edgmon passed away in 1998 and a memorial saddle has been given in his name ever since. He was a lifetime Fortuna resident known for his lighthearted humor and giving personality. American AgCredit, the Edgmon Famly, and Sequoia Gas Co. are proud to sponsor this award.
Fred Barry Memorial Buckle
The Fred Barry Memorial Buckle, named after one of the larger figures in Fortuna Rodeo lore, is awarded yearly to the Humboldt County top hand.
Born and raised in Humboldt County, Barry was a cowboy and rancher. He won the all-around cowboy award at the 1941 Fortuna Rodeo and would later go on to have a successful rodeo career on the national circuit, competing in many of the big rodeos, including the Cheyenne Frontier Days, Pendelton Roundup and the Calgary Stampede. After retiring from rodeo,
Fred ran a successful cattle ranching operation in Loleta and continued to be a big supporter of the Fortuna Rodeo. The Fred Barry Memorial Buckle carries on his spirit, sponsored by his son Patrick Barry
Tom McWhorter Memorial All-Around Buckle
This buckle is presented to the Fortuna Rodeo’s all-around cowboy. Mobley Construction proudly sponsors this award.
Rodeo has always been a McWhorter family tradition. For 54 years, Tom McWhorter served on the Fortuna Rodeo Board, enjoying the sport and camaraderie that are part of the cowboy way of life. From 2005 until 2012, Tom’s family granted the Tom McWhorter Rodeo Scholarship to local high school rodeo participants in the California High School Rodeo Association.
Tom grew up on a ranch in Yager Creek and always enjoyed going to the high school rodeos, watching the young people develop their skills and grow into world-class athletes. “District Two has had a number of state and college champions who started in the local high school rodeo circuit,” said McWhorter’s son Ted, who continues the family’s rodeo tradition working for West Coast Rodeo Co. “We have an excellent reputation for outstanding competitors from our district.” ✪
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