Join Me at the 2026 River Lodge Holiday Craft Fair in Fortuna

Event Details

Friday, December 4th: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM Saturday, December 5th: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Where: River Lodge Conference Center, 1800 Riverwalk Drive, Fortuna, CA Admission: Free

Two days of holiday shopping, food, drinks, and seasonal fun, open to everyone. For questions about the fair, you can call the Fortuna Chamber of Commerce at 707-725-3959 or email office@fortunachamber.com.

Why a Photograph Makes a Good Holiday Gift

I spend most of my year out in the landscape: on the beaches near McKinleyville, in the redwood groves where the light comes down in long gold shafts, along the coast at first light when the water is still the color of pewter. I've spent three decades learning where this place keeps its quietest moments.

A photograph of home is a different kind of gift. It's not something that gets opened, used up, and forgotten by February. It hangs on a wall and becomes part of how a room feels. For the Humboldt native who moved away, it's a piece of home they can carry with them. For the family that has lived here for generations, it's their own backyard, seen with fresh eyes.

At the fair, I'll have a selection of my fine art prints on display, with images from the coast, the forests, and the wide-open skies of the North Coast. You can see the prints in person, feel the quality of the paper and finish, and talk with me about the stories behind the images. That's something a website can't quite give you.

Come Say Hello

If you're a longtime follower of my work, I'd love to put a face to the name. If we've never met, stop by anyway. I'm always happy to talk about where an image was made, what the light was doing that morning, or which piece might suit a particular wall in your home.

I'm also happy to talk about portrait sessions. If a family photo, a senior portrait, or a couples session is on your wish list for the new year, the holidays are a perfect time to start planning one.

Can't make it to the fair? Every print I'll have on the table is also available through my online print store, where you can browse the full collection from wherever you are.

A Season Worth Showing Up For

There's a reason local fairs like this one have lasted. In a time when so much of our shopping happens through a screen, there's something deeply right about walking into a warm room in Fortuna on a cold December evening and buying a gift from the person who made it. You get to hear the story. The maker gets to hear yours. And the money stays in the community that gave all of us something to make and something to love.

So bundle up, bring a friend, grab something warm to drink, and come wander the aisles. The river will be running past outside, the winter light will be fading over the valley, and inside, the old traditions will be alive and well.

I hope to see you there.

Jeff Schwartz Jeffrey Schwartz Photography, McKinleyville, California