The Arcata City Council approved a partnership agreement with Humboldt Made to host three Friday night markets on the Arcata Plaza in September. The markets are scheduled for Sept. 5, Sept. 12 and Sept. 26; the plaza would be closed to traffic between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. with event hours from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Under the agreement Humboldt Made will be paid a stipend of $2,500 per night (total $7,500) to organize the events. The city estimated staff costs for pre‑event logistics, public safety coordination and post‑event reopening at about $2,000 per night (total $6,000). The combined out‑of‑pocket cost to the city for the three markets is $13,500 and will come from the city’s economic development budget, which staff said had roughly $269,000 available in the current appropriation.

Assistant City Manager Tabitha Miller and Humboldt Made Executive Director Rosa Dixon described the plan as a smaller, plaza‑scaled version of the organization’s signature Eureka Friday Night Market. Dixon said the Arcata markets would include a beer/wine/distillery garden, about 60 vendors (roughly 10 food vendors), performers, nonprofit booths, and the option for plaza businesses to host free booths.

Dixon described outreach and event operations experience: “I look forward to going to Eureka every single Friday night... The energy and the community that comes together for this event, I’ve never seen anything like it in Humboldt County,” she said. In response to council questions about waste reduction and single‑use items, event staff and Chamber representatives said the Arcata markets would use reusable/recyclable cups and follow zero‑waste practices modeled on other local events.

The council voted to authorize the agreement and to authorize the city manager to execute all applicable documents. No separate appropriation ordinance was required for the expenditure; staff said the funds are available in the economic development appropriation.

Nut graf: The agreement will place three market nights on the Arcata Plaza in September to showcase local makers, food vendors and businesses, pay Humboldt Made a per‑night stipend, and use city staff resources for event logistics. The council approved the partnership by motion; detailed contracts and operational plans will be executed by staff and the event organizers.

Background: Humboldt Made operates weekly markets in Eureka and has partnered with Arcata Chamber of Commerce and city staff. The city and Humboldt Made received a letter from the North Country Fair organizer raising concerns about potential event conflicts; staff acknowledged the concern and said they had considered it in planning.

Ending: Event organizers said they will finalize waste‑mitigation plans, coordinate with Cal Poly Humboldt to attract students and provide outreach to plaza businesses about the free booth option.