News - Local News

POSTED: Wednesday, Jul. 01, 2009

Good weather, plenty to do in Whatcom County on July 4

Whatcom County residents can look forward to a fun- and sun-filled Independence Day as temperatures will remain high and activities plentiful before the evening's fireworks displays.

The weather should remain clear and dry during the next few days, said Jeff Michalski, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Saturday's temperatures are expected to be in the mid- to high 70s near the water and in the low 80s farther inland, he said.

Whatcom County residents will have a number of events to choose from that day. Some of the bigger ones:

BELLINGHAM

Haggen Family Fourth of July, 1 to 9:30 p.m. at Zuanich Point Park.

The celebration was expanded this year to include live bands and a kid's zone that will feature bounce houses, games and face painting, said Ken Oplinger, president of the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

There also will be a Boundary Bay beer garden and vendors selling food and crafts.

The fireworks display will run from about 10:30 to 10:50 p.m.

Part of the reason for providing a day of activities this year was the cancellation of Seattle's "4th of Jul-Ivars." With more people looking for a good fireworks show, Oplinger said he hopes Bellingham's festivities will attract more tourists.

"We wanted to provide a little more activity than we have in the past, and we want people to let us know how we did," Oplinger said.

If the chamber receives enough positive feedback, it will consider providing the all-day activities again next year, he said.

Parking is expected to fill quickly so a shuttle, running continuously between Bellingham Technical College and Zuanich Point Park, will be provided from noon until midnight.

BLAINE

Old-Fashioned Fourth of July celebration, all day downtown.

The celebration kicks off at 8 a.m. with a pancake breakfast, but the big event is a parade at noon down Peace Portal Drive. Other activities include a car show, kid's activities and an arts and crafts fair with more than 80 vendors.

The parade, which is open to anyone who wants to join, will feature marching bands, draft horses and performers from the community theater.

Fireworks will be displayed from 10:15 to 10:40 p.m. over Semiahmoo Bay.

One of the most popular places to view the show is at Blaine Marine Park where the fireworks are shot off. "Anywhere you can see the harbor, you can see the fireworks," said Carol Solomon, the Blaine Chamber of Commerce office manager.

Parking becomes a problem during the day, so Solomon encourages people to arrive early and spend the day enjoying all of the festivities.

"The earlier you can get down here, the better," she said. "You can save yourself a long walk back to your car."

POINT ROBERTS

Noon to 6 p.m., Lighthouse Marine Park.

Science-fiction fans will want to catch this year's parade, with its theme "An Outer Space Fantasy." The Vancouver-based fan club for the Sci-Fi Channel TV show "Stargate Atlantis" will march in the parade, which starts at noon.

David Hewlett, who played an astrophysicist on the series, will serve as grand marshal.

Following the parade, Hewlett will sign autographs at Lighthouse Marine Park where the festivities will continue with a Family Funfest until 6 p.m. There will be games with prizes for all ages, refreshments and musical entertainment.

First prize in a raffle, which will benefit the Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce scholarship fund, is a Hawaiian vacation.