Today provided another example of Humboldt’s ability to answer enveloping tragedy with its own brand of unique beauty.

Around 300 people packed the Arcata Community Center Saturday to celebrate the life of Dylan Ruiz, comet of energy and positivity, who died last month in a car accident at the age of 23.

Presided over by members of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, the over-two-hour ceremony featured several musical performances, belly dancing, Pressure/Anya’s Twerk Team, fire dancers and a video montage containing footage shot for a proposed reality show starring Dylan and his “Wolf Pack” partners, Michael Weiss, Todd Larsen and Joel Bollinger. A lengthy stream of Dylan’s family and friends passed the mic around to share both humorous and heartfelt stories of their lost loved one, painting a picture of a man who lived life uninhibited, exuding love and generosity.   

In the event you missed it, the ceremony’s video stream was recorded and may be posted online in the future. Should that occur, LoCO will update this post.