Three-Day Event Celebrates Veterans’ Service
Cal Poly Humboldt, College of the Redwoods, California College Corps and American Legion Arcata Post 274 are joining forces to bring Arts in Service to Humboldt to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and Veterans Day 2026 together with veterans in true Humboldt fashion.
Running Nov. 4, 5 and 7, Arts in Service will showcase veteran and professional artists, musicians, art educators and community service providers to deepen understanding of America’s relationship to war, service and civic responsibility, while exploring the theme of “Continuing Service.”
Join us at the Arcata Veterans Hall (1425 J St.) for a community dinner and discussion on Wednesday, Nov. 4, and on the Cal Poly Humboldt campus (1 Harpst St.) on Thursday, Nov. 5, for a keynote talk on America’s philosophical foundations.
Then come out on Saturday, Nov. 7, for the big Arts in Service finale! Combining an art and service fair, Saturday’s event will include free food, artist demonstrations and art activities, a community volunteer fair and live performances. The event will create opportunities for veterans, students and community members to collaborate across lines of difference in celebration of American ideals and American veterans.
All events are free and open to all.
• Wednesday, Nov. 4, 5-7 p.m.: Dinner & discussion featuring a panelist of veteran speakers, followed by an afterparty and music by the Idle Spurs, an Americana, country and blues band, until 9 p.m. Arcata Veterans Hall, 1425 J St.
• Thursday, Nov. 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m.: Philosophy Forum Keynote, “Hope for Our Republic: Exploring the Philosophical Foundations of the American Experiment” with Fresno State Philosophy Professor Andrew Fiala. The Great Hall, Room 260, Cal Poly Humboldt.
• Saturday, Nov. 7, noon-4 p.m.: Arts in Service Fair, Laurel Drive and Jenkins Hall, Cal Poly Humboldt. Veteran artists and organizations, music, food, kids’ activities and a volunteer fair. Celebrating veterans, community service and the arts. U.S. Marines veteran and Berkeley ceramicist offers cup-making for veterans and their families. See website for more details. Veterans and family members, contact Sara Hart (sara.hart@humboldt.edu or 707-601-6619) to reserve your cup.
Special thanks to American Legion Arcata Post 274 for leading outreach and collaboration with local and regional veterans’ organizations, and to numerous partners who have assisted us in dreaming, planning and implementing this event.
Sara Hart is chair of the Applied Humanities Department at Cal Poly Humboldt and founder/cohost of “SNAFUBAR,” a podcast on military matters airing of KHSU 90.5FM.
