News - Local News

POSTED: Monday, Dec. 01, 2008

Holiday events galore this weekend around Whatcom County

If you're looking for a way to celebrate the holidays this weekend, you have plenty of options.

Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5 and 6, are jam-packed with local events celebrating the Christmas and winter seasons, with a few events carrying over to Sunday, Dec. 7

In addition to community events, holiday shoppers can find gifts at the numerous holiday bazaars around the county. For a complete listing of them, go to www.bellinghamherald.com and type "bazaar" in the community calendar search box.

Events below are listed in chronological order, based on the first day of the event. Everything is free unless otherwise listed.

ALLIED ARTS FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

What: Holiday craft show featuring 100 local artists.

When: continues Wednesday through Sunday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Where: 1308 Cornwall Ave.

SCROOGE - THE MUSICAL!

What: Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth performs the traditional Charles Dickens Christmas story.

When: 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Saturday. The play continues the next weekend.

Where: BAAY Actor's Studio, 1059 N. State St.

Tickets: $10 per person. Tickets can be reserved at www.brownpapertickets.com.

BLAINE HOLIDAY HARBOR LIGHTS

What: Holiday celebration in downtown Blaine, featuring a cookie contest, art walk, holiday bazaar, sidewalk karaoke, horse-drawn trolley rides, tree lighting and lighted boat parade.

When: Friday, various events 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, various events 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Where: Downtown Blaine.

Key events Community tree lighting in H Street Plaza at 5 p.m. Saturday, after Santa's arrival.

For more information: call 332-4544 or go to www.blainechamber.com.

18TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY PORT FESTIVAL AND GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST

What: Holiday festival with music, dancing, horse-drawn wagon rides, pictures with Santa and a gingerbread house contest. New this year is a food drive for the Bellingham Food Bank.

When: Friday, noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Bellingham Cruise Terminal.

For more information: Go to the festival Web site at www.portofbellingham.com.

WINTER WONDERLAND EVERSON-NOOKSACK CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL

What: Holiday celebration in Everson and Nooksack.

When: Friday from 4 to 8 p.m.

Where: Most events are at Everson Park or Everson Senior Center.

Key events: Tree lighting ceremony, Santa arrival and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Contest for pets, 7 p.m.

FESTIVAL OF TREES

What: 20 decorated Christmas trees on display and available for auction.

When: Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Leopold Retirement Community, 1224 Cornwall Ave.

Also: Musical performances; "Make a Holiday Craft" with kids, Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Gala Event and Auction, Saturday 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., tickets $40.

For more information: Call 733-6714.

PICTURES WITH SANTA

When: Bellingham Public Market, Friday, 5 to 8 p.m.; Allied Arts Holiday Festival, Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Bellingham Public Market, 1503 Cornwall Ave.; Allied Arts Holiday Festival, 1308 Cornwall Ave.

THE SANTA TRAIN

What: A train ride through 10 acres of winter displays and lights that ends at the "North Pole" where kids can visit Santa.

When: Continues Friday through Sunday. Opens at 5 p.m.

Where: Miniature World family Fun Center, 4620 Birch Bay Lynden Road.

Cost: Rides are $5.50 for children 12 years and younger, $7.50 for everyone else.

DOWNTOWN BELLINGHAM TREE LIGHTING

What: Lighting of the Christmas tree that stands at Depot Market Square (Bellingham Farmers Market).

When: Saturday, 5 p.m.

FERNDALE COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING

What: Tree lighting with Mayor Gary Jensen and Santa Claus.

When: Friday, 5 p.m.

Where: Centennial Riverwalk Plaza.

For more information: 384-6461.

OLDE FASHIONED CHRISTMAS IN FERNDALE

What: Experience the Christmas season the "pioneer way" with the Ferndale Heritage Society.

When: Friday, 5 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 1 to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.

Where: Pioneer Park, Ferndale.

Cost: Tickets $3 for adults and $2 for children.

"WALK THROUGH BETHLEHEM"

What: A family Christmas event with a simulated Bethlehem city street.

When: Friday through Sunday, 6 to 8 p.m.

Where: Bakerview Christian School, 5353 Waschke Road.

WINTER WONDER RUN

What: A 5K fun run/walk with proceeds benefiting Girls on the Run of Northwest Washington.

When: Saturday, 9:30 a.m., with registration starting at 8:30 a.m.

Where: Start and finish is at Depot Market Square.

Cost: $10 per person. To register in advance, go to www.whatcomymca.org and click on the "Programs" link.

LAKE WHATCOM RAILWAY SANTA TRAIN

What: Old passenger train ride.

When: Saturday, 9:30 a.m.

Where: Lake Whatcom Railway, Wickersham.

Cost: $9 for children, $18 for 18 and older, free for 2 and younger.

For more information: 595-2218.

FAIRHAVEN FROSTY 5K AND 10K

What: A Greater Bellingham Running Club race along Chuckanut Drive, the Interurban Trail and Fairhaven Park. A free 1/4-mile kids' race starts 15 minutes before the main race.

When: Saturday, 10 a.m., with registration starting at 9 a.m.

Where: Start and finish is at Fairhaven Park.

Cost: Greater Bellingham Running Club members are free; $8 for adults and $3 for high school-aged and younger.

SINTERKLAAS ARRIVES IN LYNDEN

What: Parade brings Sinterklaas, the Dutch patron saint, to town amid festivities.

When: Saturday, 1 p.m.

Where: Downtown Lynden along Front Street.

Also: Ebenezer Christian School Wreath and Bake Sale, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Dutch Village Mall; storytelling, klompen dancing, folk music and children's gifts at Lynden Community Center.

For more information: call 354-5995 or visit www.lynden.org.

ANNUAL HOLIDAY TEA AT DEMING LIBRARY

What: Community event to celebrate the library expansion and the holidays.

When: Saturday, 1 p.m.

Where: Deming Public Library, Deming, 5044 Mount Baker Highway.

For more information: Call 592-2422.

HOLIDAY PARTY AT EVERSON LIBRARY

When: Saturday, 1 p.m.

Where: Everson McBeath Library, Everson, 105 Kirsch Drive.

For more information: Call 966-5100.

LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE

What: Cars, trucks, floats and more covered in lights make their way through downtown Lynden.

When: Saturday, 6 p.m.

Where: Fairway Center to downtown Lynden, with procession moving along Front Street.

25TH ANNUAL SILVER TEA

What: Community gathering with festive table displays, musical performances, raffle, silent auction, and yuletide refreshments. This year's theme: "Traditions - Old and New."

When: Sunday, 2 p.m.

Where: Everson McBeath Library, 105 Kirsch Drive.

For more information: 966-5100.