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Press release from the Fortuna Redwood AutoXpo:

After much discussion the decision has been made to cancel the 2020 Fortuna Redwood AutoXpo, which was scheduled to take place July 24 – 26. That decision was made this week by the Fortuna Redwood AutoXpo committee.

“It is with regret that we announce the cancellation of our event,” said Fortuna Redwood AutoXpo Committee President Ryan Walters. “We discussed this and decided it was in the best interest of our community not to hold this gathering,” he added. 

Walters said this year would have been the 30th annual event. “We’ll just have to wait until next year to celebrate, and I have no doubt it will be better than ever, with Fortuna living up to its Friendly City reputation,” he said. The dates for next years show will be July 23 – 25, 2021.

Fortuna Redwood AutoXpo draws classic cars from states throughout the Pacific Northwest including California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada, and some years from as far away as Montana and Arizona.

“We want to give a huge shout out to the merchants and individuals who make this event such a success every year,” Walters said. “with contributions helping cover the costs of trophies and prizes for the participants. We also want to thank all the volunteers who work long and hard to make this event happen,’ he added, “and we appreciate all the support we get from the City of Fortuna, namely the police and parks and recreation departments

“This year we already had 180 cars planning to attend,” said AutoXpo Committee Member and Treasurer Marilyn Strehl. Typically there are  300 cars that are on display on Fortuna’s Main Street all day Saturday during the event and another 150 cars that are participating in the Show and Shine portion of the event, and on display in the Fortuna Union High School parking lot on 12th Street. 

Other activities that are normally included in the annual Fortuna Redwood AutoXpo event include a Friday night participant parade  of classic vehicles on Main Street and Fortuna Boulevard, Friday night dance at the River Lodge, a poker run, a display of tractors and hit and miss engines, artisan show, swap meet, Saturday night barbeque, and winners would receive their awards in Rohner Park on Sunday morning. 

Strehl said those who have already signed up and paid their registration fee will be offered a choice of receiving a refund or rolling over fees to next year, or they can donate their entry fees to the Fortuna Redwood AutoXpo scholarship fund. 

Each year, Fortuna Redwood AutoXpo awards scholarships to Eel River Valley high school seniors who are planning to pursue a career in automotive-related fields. Since the scholarship program was established in 2006, Fortuna Redwood AutoXpo has awarded a total of 23 scholarships with a value of $23,000. 

The deadline for submitting scholarship applications for this year was May 23rd and the names of recipients have not yet been announced.