Fortuna is far enough inland that the sun beats down just a little harder. On a typical August afternoon, you can run through the sprinkler or take a dip in the above-ground pool. Or on Saturday Aug. 23, you can sample a seemingly unlimited number of beers and ciders, while contributing to local nonprofits at Hops in Humboldt ($40, $35 advance). From 1 to 5 p.m., Rohner Park will be transformed into a Pinocchio Pleasure Island of microbreweries, live music and local wares.

Your ticket gets you a commemorative glass, which you can fill over and over again with samples of more than 100 beers from 35 breweries, including 21st Amendment, Deschutes, Ninkasi and more. Not a beer drinker? Can't have gluten? Not to worry, there are multiple ciders to choose from, including Sonoma Cider and Crispin. Pace yourself; that's a lot of booze.

No one wants to drink in silence. The festival features four musical acts to accompany your whistle-wetting. The day's performances include Amanda Gray and Whiskey Savage, The Dirty Rats, Ishi Dube and Vintage Rock N' Soul. These bands run the gamut from reggae to rock, appealing to toe-tappers of all sorts. Again, pace yourself; you've got a lot of suds to sample and a lot of dancing to do.

In fact, it's a good idea to add some food to the mix. You can't let an empty belly slow you down, after all. There will be nine food vendors on site, with options for everyone's hankerings. Even with a packed gullet, there's still a chance of overdoing it. So, plan your transportation in advance. You've got plenty of options. If you can't get a designated driver, you can take advantage of Redwood Transit's "Catch a Ride" rate of $3 oneway, or $4.90 round trip. Once you're in Fortuna, there's a free shuttle service throughout town.