Building on response from last year's event, the Port of Bellingham is sponsoring its second annual Bellwether Family Fun Night, a full evening of activities celebrating the waterfront around Squalicum Harbor.
"It's geared specifically toward children and families," said Marie Duckworth, the port's community relations coordinator. "It was one of the most popular activities last year."
It starts at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, at Tom Glenn Common, the bayside open space near the Hotel Bellwether, 1 Bellwether Way. Admission is free, as are all the activities, including a performance of the Bellingham Circus Guild and a 9:10 p.m. outdoor showing of the 1995 movie "Jumanji," featuring Robin Williams.
Food vendors will offer meals for sale, and people are encouraged to bring their own picnic dinners. Participants also are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or a blanket for watching the movie.
In place of an admission fee, the port is collecting donations of nonperishable foods for the Bellingham Food Bank.
Varied food choices for sale will include cheese tortellini from Guiseppe's; gluten-free and regular macaroni and cheese, plus sliders and chocolate-dipped Rice Krispies Treats from the Harborside Bistro; Subway sandwiches; an ice cream vendor; and free popcorn from Anthony's restaurant.
Free parking will be under the Hotel Bellwether and the offices of CH2M Hill, 21 Bellwether Way. Each adult gets a free raffle ticket - two tickets if they ride a bike.
In addition, check the Port of Bellingham page on Facebook.com for daily "Jumanji" trivia and a chance to win a coupon for free food from one of the vendors.
Although the event is geared toward all ages, some of the activities from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. are best suited for younger kids, Duckworth said. That includes face painting and Redden Marine's Kids Fishin' Pool, where children can cast a fishing pole over a screen.
Giveaways during the evening include beach balls and animal masks as part of an overall "Jumanji" theme.
Other free activities include henna tattoos and kite making and kite flying with the folks from Bellingham Kite Paddle Surf.
"It was really adorable last year to see the kids make their kites and then fly them,' Duckworth said. "I just loved seeing the sky filled with kites."
At 8 p.m. is a an hour-long performance of the Bellingham Circus Guild, a local troupe of jugglers, acrobats, aerialists and clowns that put on a multi-theatrical event.
"They'll do a performance that's loosely themed on the movie "Jumanji," with animals and skits and a hunter on safari," Duckworth said.
COAST SALISH LONGHOUSE
"Building Longhouses" is the final summer Fun Friday of events related to the Skagit County Historical Museum's "Native Journey" exhibit of Coast Salish canoes, baskets and other artifacts.
It features a chance to build a model cedar longhouse, plus stories and music, from noon to 3 p.m., Friday, Aug. 19, at the museum, 501 S. Fourth St. in La Conner.
Admission is $4 for adults and $3 for children; it's free for children 12 and younger. For more information, call 360-466-3365 or go online to skagitcounty.net/museum.
For a true inter-urban adventure, climb aboard Whatcom Transportation Authority's express bus to Mount Vernon, and hop on a Skagit Transit bus to the museum.
Leaving the downtown Bellingham station at 9:40 a.m. on WTA bus No. 80X gets you to Skagit Station in Mount Vernon at 10:22 a.m. From there, take Skagit Transit's route No. 615 (Mount Vernon-La Conner-Marchs Point) at 11:15 a.m. That bus stops at 11:34 a.m. at Second and Washington streets in LaConner. To get to the museum, walk uphill (left) on Second Street jump a few blocks to Bensen Street, making a left and continuing uphill on Benson to Fourth Street. Take a left and go to the end of the street.
Skagit Transit's No. 615 heads back to Skagit Station at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. from Second and Washington streets, arriving at Skagit Station in time to catch the 4:10 p.m. or 6:15 p.m. WTA bus No. 80X back to Bellingham.
Fare for the 80X bus is $2 each way; children under 8 and adults over 75 ride free. Skagit Transit fare is $1 each way. For more information, call toll-free 877-584-7528 or go online to skagittransit.org. Find more information about the WTA at ridewta.com or 360-676-RIDE.
If you decide to try a bus excursion, be sure to dress for the weather and bring snacks, water and age-appropriate diversions such as packable games or books.
