Noyo Harbor

Noyo Harbor Festival jams south harbor, fish taco competiton plank walking fun is Sunday!

Photo of Frank Hartzell Frank Hartzell Send an email September 20, 2025
0 284 3 minutes read
“Old fishermen never lie… or do they?” Veteran sea dogs lean in at the Noyo Harbor Festival, swapping tales taller than the tide.
Harbormaster Anna Neumann challenged deck hands from party boats and other fishermen.

Get ready to crown Fort Bragg’s finest fish taco this Sunday at the Noyo Harbor Festival! Join the fun as local chefs compete for the title, and you—yes, you—get to be the judge.

🐟 After the festivities, four brave souls have pledged to walk the plank… but only if the crowd raises enough funds to make it happen! So come hungry, come generous, and come loud.

Highlights include:

  • A fish-eating competition (eat well—or eat way too much!)
  • Pirate call contests with prizes
  • Local vendors, foxy pirates, and even a young entrepreneur selling bait
  • A showdown between the captains of the SeaHawk and Telestar—though the deckhands claim they beat the bosses (and fishermen never lie…)

At 5 p.m., Harbormaster Anna Neumann, Supervisor Bernie Norvell, FB Police Captain Thomas O’Neal, and yours truly, Frank Hartzell, will walk the plank—if enough of you chip in to make it happe

Plus, a young entrepreneur was out hustling bait like a pro! Meanwhile, the captains of the SeaHawk and Telestar squared off in a spirited showdown—but according to the deckhands, they all outperformed their bosses. And hey, fishermen never lie… right?

Check out today’s photos below. I had to head to work, so I missed the filet contest winners—but the energy, the vendors, and the pirate flair were top-notch.

“Slice, dice, and bragging rights on the line!” The filet contest at the Noyo Harbor Festival drew sharp knives and sharper skills as competitors carved their way to glory. Speed, precision, and a whole lot of fish—only the best walked away with the win (and maybe a few extra fillets for dinner).
There will be contests for best pirates. The Lassie here may be hard to beat!

11:00 to 4:00 PM – Fish Taco Competition
You heard us right! We have got our amazing local restaurants coming out to determine who has the best fish taco!
Judges’ tickets will get you one taco at each booth and beer! Not interested in judging? That’s okay, too. You can purchase tacos directly from the booths as well

11:00 to 4:00 PM – Craft Vendors

Check out our local vendors and their cool stuff

2:00 PM – Fish Eating Contest at Sea Pal

Do you love eating fish? Prove it by winning the fish-eating contest.

Sign up with Nick at the Harbor Office 

3:00PM- Costume Contest

Come dressed as your favorite pirate! Peg legs and parrots welcome 

4:00 PM – Pirate Calls
How strong is your call to the sea? Come prove your love 

Bands:
Noon to 1:00 PM – TBD
1:30 PM to 2:30 PM –  TBD
2:30 PM to 4:00 PM –  TBD

5:00 PM – Awards for Best Fish Taco
5:00 PM – Awards for Best Sand Castle
5:00 PM – Awards for Biggest Fish

Last year’s Noyo Harbor Festival was held on the North Harbor side, where parking was nearly impossible. This year, organizers moved it across the Noyo River to the South Harbor, which boasts ten times more parking—but even that couldn’t keep up with the crowds. Every spot was taken: the front lot, the roadside stretch all the way to the final dock, and even the elevated parking above!

Whether you’re here to judge the best fish tacos, cheer on pirate calls, or witness local legends walk the plank, the Noyo Harbor Festival promises a full day of flavor, fun, and unforgettable moments. With packed parking, buzzing vendors, and even bait-hustling entrepreneurs, the South Harbor is the place to be. So grab your crew, bring your appetite, and join us for a Sunday celebration that’s as wild as the sea and twice as tasty. See you there!

“Hooked on hustle!” A young entrepreneur reels in attention at the Noyo Harbor Festival, selling bait with charm and savvy beyond his years. Proof that in Fort Bragg, the next generation of fishermen is already casting lines and making waves.
There were sweets and tacos and fun for kids all day Saturday.

The filleting contest was packed wall to wall with fans, and everybody seemed to be filming with their phones.









Start your day with Company Juice in Fort Bragg, California
Photo of Frank Hartzell Frank Hartzell Send an email September 20, 2025
0 284 3 minutes read
Photo of Frank Hartzell

Frank Hartzell

Frank Hartzell has spent his lifetime as a curious anthropologist in a reporter's fedora. His first news job was chasing news on the streets of Houston with high school buddy and photographer James Mason, back in 1986. Then Frank graduated from Humboldt State and went to Great Gridley as a reporter, where he bonded with 1000 people and told about 3000 of their stories. In Marysville at the Appeal Democrat, the sheltered Frank got to see both the chilling depths and amazing heights of humanity. From there, he worked at the Sacramento Bee covering Yuba-Sutter and then owned the Business Journal in Yuba City, which sold 5000 subscriptions to a free newspaper. Frank then got a prestigious Kiplinger Investigative Reporting fellowship and was city editor of the Newark Ohio, Advocate and then came back to California for 4 years as managing editor of the Napa Valley Register before working as a Dominican University professor, then coming to Fort Bragg to be with his aging mom, Betty Lou Hartzell, and working for the Fort Bragg Advocate News. Frank paid the bills during that decade + with a successful book business. He has worked for over 50 publications as a freelance writer, including the Mendocino Voice and Anderson Valley Advertiser, along with construction and engineering publications. He has had the thrill of learning every day while writing. Frank is now living his dream running MendocinoCoast.News with wife, Linda Hartzell, and web developer, Marty McGee, reporting from Fort Bragg, California.

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