• Photo by Mark Larson

The Humboldt Folklife Festival, that plucky, good-time community get-together presented by the Humboldt Folklife Society and officially part of Dell'Arte's Mad River Festival, is back for its 40th year. The jug jubilee in Blue Lake spans eight days — July 7-14 — offering nightly performances, a barn dance and two all-day festivals that bookend the fun.

Things get rolling at the Kick-Off Party at Mad River Brewing Co. on July 7 from 2 to 9 p.m. with music from That Buckin' String Band, La Patinas, Psychedelvis and the Rounders (free).

On July 8, sprinkled throughout locations in Blue Lake, you'll find activities for everyone during Annie and Mary Day. There's a pancake breakfast, mountain bike race, parade and party at Perigot Park with music from Brendas, Barnett, Belles of the Levee, Gatehouse Well and the Vanishing Pints, plus a barbecue, vendors, kids' stuff, a car show and more (free admission).

Next up are the nightly shows at Dell'Arte. Songwriters Night July 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Carlo Theatre features Kray Van Kirk, Michael Kavanaugh, Ari Guillette and Marcia Mendels and hosted by Jam Bramlett ($10, $8 members, $5 kids). On July 10, catch Trad on the Mad Night at the Carlo Theater at 7:30 p.m. ($12, $10 members, $5 kids) with Chubritza, Good Company, Crested Hens and Compost Mountain Boys.

The popular Under the Stars night happens July 11 at 6 p.m. at the Dell'Arte Amphitheatre with tunes by The Yokels, The Detours and Huckleberry Flint ($15, $12 members, $5 kids). New Moon Fever heats up the Dell'Arte Amphitheatre on July 12 at 6 p.m. ($12, $10 for members, $5 kids) with No Pardon, April Moore and Ranch Party, and Georgia Ruth.

On Friday, July 13, head to Arcata Veterans Hall for the Barn Dance at 7:30 p.m. with Striped Pig Stringband and Lyndsey Battle calling ($10,$5 members, free for children under 12).

The festival closes with the All-Day Free Festival on Saturday, July 14 starting at 10:45 a.m. in downtown Blue Lake with two stages of music, food trucks, workshops and a kids' tent with arts and crafts.