Monday is the annual chili cook-off, one of many first huge occasions of the 102nd annual Fortuna Rodeo. (Mary Bullwinkel/For the Times-Standard)

It’s time for the annual Fortuna Rodeo and the various actions related to the 102nd 12 months of the custom.

For starters, this 12 months’s rodeo poster, created by native artist Michelle Murphy-Ferguson is a collage of historic photos that say Fortuna Rodeo loud and clear. In the middle of the poster is a picture of the late Roy Curless, who served 66 years on the Fortuna Rodeo Association Board, 34 of these years as board president and there’s additionally a picture of Curless and his spouse Laurada in 2011. Other historic photos embrace the rodeo championship saddle hanging from the ceiling at Parlato’s, Ben McWhorter on a steer from 1987, Marilyn Edgmon Irons and Christine Barkdull from 1965, Viola Russ McBride from the Twenties, and Clarence Bugenig on a bronc from 1937.

The theme this 12 months is “102 This Rodeo’s For You!”

Fortuna Rodeo Association President Shannon McWhorter stated, “The Fortuna Rodeo Association Board of Directors has been working diligently this past year to put together nine great days of inexpensive or free family fun and entertainment.”

There is loads of enjoyable deliberate for day-after-day of the week, main as much as the two-day Fortuna Rodeo on Saturday and Sunday, July 15 and 16.

Monday of rodeo week will once more embrace the Chili Cook-off, sponsored by the Fortuna Chamber of Commerce. 23 groups have signed up and can compete in a number of classes together with hottest chili, individuals’s selection, greatest chili total, and greatest dressed.

Judges this 12 months shall be Fortuna Police Chief Casey Day, Fortuna City Manager Merritt Perry, Fortuna Mayor Tami Trent, Humboldt County Supervisor Michelle Bushnell, Humboldt County Undersheriff JD Braud and Fortuna Rodeo President Shannon McWhorter.

Fortuna Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kristin Chambers stated, “We have a great lineup of judges, a great group of contestants and an awesome musician, acoustics by Ryan Rice and the Remedy Band!”

Chili cookers begin at midday on July 10, and free public tasting of the chili will happen beginning at 5 p.m. Awards shall be introduced at roughly 6:30 p.m.

The carnival arrives in Fortuna’s Rohner Park on Tuesday, July 11 and can proceed by July 16. Carnival wristbands shall be accessible every day for $35 for the rides and video games.

Also on July 11, there shall be household actions on the Redwood Village Shopping Center from 6 p.m. to eight p.m. Activities will embrace face painters, the Local Kick Club, HealthSPORT and Sprinkles concessions.

Wednesday, July 12, the place to be is on Main Street in downtown Fortuna, for road video games together with the Tony Johnson penny scramble, stick horse races, egg toss, and bounce home. Hot canine and hamburgers shall be accessible from the Fortuna Volunteer Fire Department’s muster staff. The hours for the road video games are 6 p.m. to eight:30 p.m.

Also Wednesday, beginning at 9 a.m. and persevering with on Thursday is the Fortuna Jr. Rodeo, happening on the rodeo grounds in Rohner Park.

On Thursday, July 13, additionally on Main Street in downtown Fortuna, are the fireman’s video games, from 6:30 p.m. to eight p.m. Watch as native hearth volunteer firefighters take over Main Street with hose relays and extra.

Something new this 12 months happening Thursday by Sunday is the Fortuna Rodeo Western Outpost. Sponsored by the Fortuna Chamber of Commerce, this four-day buying occasion on the Fireman’s Pavilion in Rohner Park will characteristic western-themed items, items, and extra.

Chamber chief Kristin Chambers stated, “I am thrilled to be able to put together this inaugural vendor show during Fortuna’s annual rodeo event and look forward to building this event in future years.”

Fortuna Rodeo Western Outpost distributors signed up embrace Great Western, Diva Designs, Lost Coast Laser, Moon Baby Candles, Stephanie April Designs, Adore and Joy, T-Mobile, LeafFilter, and Redwood Wishing Wells, Famous Amens, Sisters Clothing, Fortuna Rodeo Association and Country Cut. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday by Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Start the day Saturday with the Fortuna Kiwanis Club pancake breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m., served out of the cookshack in Rohner Park. After breakfast don’t miss the annual Fortuna Rodeo Parade, down Main Street, beginning at 11 a.m. This 12 months the John Rice household is the parade grand marshal.

“John and his family have been ranching in Humboldt County and throughout the Western United States for many years and with John’s untimely passing earlier this year, we wanted to honor his family’s legacy,” McWhorter stated. “John, Peggy, and their family never missed a Fortuna Rodeo,” he added.

Sunday is just not solely the second day of the two-day rodeo, however it is usually the day of the Fortuna Rodeo deep pit barbecue. Tickets are $20 per particular person and embrace a beneficiant serving of beef, baked beans, potato salad, and rolls. The barbecue is served, beginning at 11 a.m. in Rohner Park, close to the cookshack.

McWhorter stated that it takes a group to placed on the rodeo. He gave a shout-out to town of Fortuna, Fortuna Chamber of Commerce, Fortuna Volunteer Fire Department and the various sponsors from all through Humboldt County who contribute to the success of the Fortuna Rodeo.