This is the project vision. Image courtesy of the former mayors.


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Press release from Eureka Main Street:

In a show of community spirit, five former Mayors of Eureka have come together to light up Old Town for the holiday season. Nancy Flemming (1990-2002), Peter LaVallee (2002-2006), Virginia Bass (2006-2010), Frank Jager (2010-2018) and Susan Seaman (2018-2022) launched the Former Mayors’ Holiday Lighting Project in September with an initial fundraising goal of $20,000. Thanks to generous contributions from local businesses and residents, the campaign has raised $22,937 to date! These funds will be used exclusively for the display including decorations, lighting, and the necessary infrastructure to support it all.

This project is a collaboration between former Mayors, the City of Eureka, and Eureka Main Street, aligning with the City’s lighting plan. Both the City of Eureka and Eureka Main Street are providing logistical and administrative support to ensure the project’s success.

Building on the decorations already used by local businesses—such as red velvet ribbons, warm white twinkle lights, and garlands – the project will feature twinkle lights, garlands, wreaths, and lighted balls around the Gazebo area, along with a light display over F and 2nd Streets. Installation will begin in November to be ready for Small Business Saturday.

Sponsors for the project include: PG&E, Vineyard Offshore, Coast Central Credit Union, Redwood Capital Bank, RWE, Eureka Natural Foods, Building and Construction Trades Council of Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, Pierson’s Building Center, Jitterbean, Express Pros, and the Knights of Columbus and many wonderful individual donors.

PG&E was an early supporter of the project and is one of the two anchor, or “Santa,” sponsors. “The spirit of cooperation embodied by the former Mayors group is a powerful example of how our community can and does work together,” said Alison Talbott, local Government Relations Representative for PG&E. “PG&E is proud to play a role in their efforts.”

Erik Peckar, Vineyard Offshore Director of External Affairs for the West Coast, represents the other anchor sponsor. He said, “As a business with our office in downtown Eureka, Vineyard Offshore is proud to work with our neighbors and the former Mayors of Eureka in sponsoring the Holiday Lighting Project, that will inspire support for our local business neighbors during this holiday season. We are grateful for the collaboration amongst the city’s leaders and look forward to continued support and partnership with the City of Eureka”.

“We’ve been so grateful for the support of the community for this project,” said Seaman. “This has been our first effort as a team, but we hope to continue into future years to build really celebratory and eye-catching displays that celebrate our downtown businesses, reminding us all that we should be supporting them as much as possible during the holiday season.”

If you’re interested in supporting the Eureka Former Mayors Holiday Lighting Project, they will continue to accepting donations through their Go Fund Me link here.


The Former Mayors at their launch party: Susan Seaman, Nancy Flemming, Peter LaVallee, Frank Jager and Virginia Bass. Photos by Isabella Vanderheiden.