GRAND OPENING WEEKEND ITINERARY
To celebrate the grand opening of the Redwood Sky Walk, the City of Eureka has planned a weekend long celebration of events. Media are invited to cover the weekend’s festivities but individual registration is required for each event to ensure COVID-19 capacity restrictions are carefully managed. Please use the descriptions and links below to plan your coverage. We look forward to welcoming you up in the trees the first weekend of June.
Friday, June 4th
8:30am – 10:00am | Media Tours & Complimentary Breakfast at ECOS Cafe
Media are invited to tour the Redwood Sky Walk before it opens to the public and take photos and video as needed to support their planned coverage. After the tours, media representatives will be welcomed back to the café for a light complimentary breakfast and the opportunity to network and interview community leaders involved with the project – subject matter experts to include wildlife experts, tree health advisors, city officials, zoo leadership, and more. Please note that due to space restrictions, this event is by invitation only.
10:30am – 11:15 am | Grand Opening Ceremony
The grand opening ceremony will be held on the forest floor below the Redwood Sky Walk and will include speeches from local dignitaries, recognition of vendors, donors, and other project contributors, and a formal ribbon cutting.
5:00pm – 9:00pm | En Plein Air Painters Group
Members of the Humboldt County En Plein Air group have been invited up into the trees to paint. Several artists have agreed to donate their paintings to the silent auction that will be held during Saturday night’s fundraiser event. Representatives of local organizations affiliated with the Eureka arts community will be on hand to speak with media about the art scene in Eureka and the profound importance of art to the local culture and community.
Saturday, June 5th
8:15am – 9:30am | First Ever Yoga on the Redwood Sky Walk
Instructors from Pali Yoga will be leading a series of community yoga flows up among the trees. This special ticketed event will offer a group yoga class on the Redwood Sky Walk. Enjoy the sights and sounds of nature alongside a melodious gong sound bath. Participants should be aware that temperatures on the Sky Walk can be as much as 10 degrees cooler than on the forest floor, appropriate attire is encouraged. The class will begin promptly at 8:30am. We ask that all media arrive by 8:00am. Advanced registration is required.
9:00am – 5:00pm | Subject Matter Expert Talks
Sequoia Park Zoo guests will be treated to special talks focused on native wildlife, tree health and monitoring, and the Redwood Sky Walk design/build process. Talks will be offered in rotation throughout the weekend during regular zoo operating hours. Day of sign-ups will be available inside the zoo.
Cost: Included with zoo admission
6:00pm – 8:00pm | “Old Growth, New Adventures” – POSTPONED
Join us for an evening under the stars (and in the trees) as we celebrate the opening of the Redwood Sky Walk! The community will reunite with friends and neighbors, dance to the music of Backstreet Band and enjoy the Redwood Sky Walk while raising money for the beloved Sequoia Park playground. All funds raised will benefit the Sequoia Park Playground Improvement Fund housed at the Humboldt Area Foundation.
Attire: Dust off your pre-pandemic party outfits! Elegant attire is encouraged to celebrate ‘Old Growth and New Adventures.’
Limited media slots available.
Sunday, June 6th
8:30am – 9:30am | Forest Bathing with Justin Legge
Join local Naturalist Justin Legge of Benbow Historic Inn and Benbow KOA, for an introduction to Forest Bathing and Forest Therapy. In this one-hour session, participants will engage with the natural world and deepen their understanding of the forest that surrounds them. Participants will come away with a greater understanding of this ancient Japanese tradition, have an opportunity to try a few concepts first-hand, and be able to incorporate new practices into their health and well-being routine. This experience will take place on the forest floor, outside of the zoo. This event free and open to the public, but space is limited. Media and participants must register in advance.
9:00am – 5:00pm | Subject Matter Expert Talks
Sequoia Park Zoo guests will be treated to special talks focused on native wildlife, tree health and monitoring, and the Redwood Sky Walk design/build process. Talks will be offered in rotation throughout the weekend during regular zoo operating hours. Day of sign-ups will be available inside the zoo.
Cost: Included with zoo admission
*All events are subject to size restrictions consistent with the California Reopening Plan and local health official guidance which are both subject to change as the events draws near.
**Masks are required for all group activities and events.