Missing the Summer Arts and Music Festival this year? You're not alone. The beloved two-day event, typically presented the first weekend in June for the last 44 years, was cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally scheduled for June 6 and 7, 2020, the event sees the Benbow State Recreation Area moving and grooving with throngs of art and music lovers and ushers in summer in the redwoods. It is a Southern Humboldt institution and one of the largest fundraisers for the Mateel Community Center with big musical acts, dozens of food, art and craft vendors, dance performances, health and wellness areas, kids' activities and more. Its cancellation is a big loss for the center and the community.

Even though this year's event has been cancelled, the Mateel Community Center has made it so SAMF revelers can reminisce about the good times and hopefully still get their fix. The Mateel is presenting a video tribute of Summer Arts and Music Festivals from years past on its YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/mateelcc or at mateel.org.  The tribute includes over two dozen artists including The Real Sarahs, Durand Jones & the Indications, Garbervillle Town Band, Jah9, Delhi 2 Dublin, Lost Coast Marimbas, Afrolicious, Candelaria, John Popper & Object Heavy, Carolyn Wonderland, Brothers Comatose, Motherlode featuring Fred Wesley and Nakho & Medicine for the People.


In a press release about the tribute, Mateel Community Center Board of Directors and staff had this message: "We look forward to the time when we can celebrate together again and hug and love one another. If you’re not already a member please support us and become one, or if you would like to give a donation, we would be very honored to receive it, please visit our website at mateel.org. ... The Mateel will be open as soon as we can. Enjoy, be happy, be well, be love
and be the change we wish to see in the world."