Jun, 1, 2009
ENTERTAINMENT
Warm weather brings summer festivals to the forefront
THE BELLINGHAM HERALD FILE
Competitors race up spar poles during the Deming Logging Show.
Other Whatcom County festivals and special events taking place through Labor Day:
June 7
Farmers Day Parade, Lynden
June 7
Bellingham Scottish Highland Games, Ferndale
June 13
Downtown Gallery Walk, Bellingham
June 21
Harley-Davidson Bike Show, Bellingham
June 28
Sumas Community Days, Sumas
July 4
Old-fashioned Fourth of July, Blaine
July 4
Haggen Fourth of July Celebration, Bellingham
July 16-Aug. 6
Downtown Sounds Alley Concerts, Bellingham
July 19-20
Discovery Days, Birch Bay
July 19
Barkley Village Barbecue, Bellingham
July 27-Aug. 10
Marrowstone Music Festival, Western Washington University
Aug. 2-3
Wood on Water and Drayton Harbor Maritime Festival, Blaine
Aug. 2-3
Point Roberts Arts & Music Festival, Point Roberts
Aug. 8-10
Sand in the City competition, Bellingham
Aug. 11-16
Northwest Washington Fair, Lynden
Aug. 23
Street Festival, Ferndale
Sept. 1
International Lyne 500 Soapbox Kart Race, Lynden
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MARGARET BIKMAN
THE BELLINGHAM HERALD
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Raspberries and rodeos, carnival rides and classical music — Whatcom County draws hundreds of local folks and tourists from near and far to enjoy summer festivals in the Fourth Corner.
Here are some of the special events that are unique to our part of the world. It's a good idea to check our online Entertainment site to get the latest on what's happening, both in Whatcom County and regionally — around the state, in Seattle and in lower British Columbia.
Some of the events are free, and some charge admission.
A few Web sites that are useful for planning your summer fun are:
- www.bellingham.org — Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism.
- www.experiencewa.com — Washington State Tourism
- www.hellobc.com — British Columbia Tourism.
The Deming Logging Show
When: June 14-15, gates open at 11 a.m. each day, events begin at 1 p.m.
Where: Deming Logging Show grounds, 3295 Cedarville Road, near Nugent's Corner
Details: 592-3041, www.demingloggingshow.com.
The Deming Logging Show got its start 30 years ago when an injured logger needed financial assistance. Proceeds from the annual event still go to "busted-up" loggers and their families in crisis. Loggers from Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish counties, with a few regional competitors, compete in cable splicing, speed climbing, axe throwing, log rolling and other events. Guests can also tour the logging museum and enjoy a salmon, beef and chicken barbeque, served by members of the Ladies Auxiliary. Each year, an old-time logger is honored as the "Bull of the Woods."
Sumas Bull-O-Rama
When: July 5 and Aug. 2, starting at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Rodeo grounds at Howard Bowen Memorial Park, 1550 Cherry St.
Details: 739-1715, www.sumaschamber.com.
Experience the excitement of young and old as they compete in bull riding, a chariot race and more, with special events for youngsters like a calf scramble for ages 7 through 12 and mutton busting for kids 5 through 7. Also taking place at the rodeo grounds: the Junior Rodeo on Aug. 30 and 31, and a Tractor Pull on Sept. 20.
Raspberry Festival
When: July 18-19
Where: Downtown Lynden and outlying areas
Details: 354-5995, www.lynden.org.
Luckily for us, we can celebrate our state's status as the number one producer of raspberries in the world, with more than 8,000 acres of the delicious berry in Whatcom County alone. Events for the festival include the Curt Maberry 3-on-3 basketball tournament, the ninth annual Tour de Razz (a shuttle to the Samson Estates Winery and McPhails' berry farm), a fun run and walk benefit for cancer, live jazz, street vendors, food booths, classic car show, and loads of raspberry delicacies. New this year is the Festival Golf Fore Good golf tournament at the Homestead Golf and Country Club, to raise money for orphans in Kenya; and a rookie 3-on-3 basketball tournament for ages 6 through 8.
Old Settlers' Picnic
When: July 24-27
Where: Pioneer Park and downtown Ferndale
Details: 739-3319 or 384-4021, http://www.whatcomoldsettlers.com
The Whatcom County Old Settlers Association presents the 113th annual event, called a "picnic," but actually a full three days of live entertainment (including a talent show), a carnival, a junior and a grand parade, a fun run/walk, a flower show and a classic car show, horse-drawn wagon rides around town, and tours of the historic cabins at Pioneer Park by members of the Ferndale Heritage Society. The events honor and keep alive the memory of the early settlers of the Nooksack River Valley.
Washington Civil War Association Reenactment
When: Aug. 9-10
Where: Hovander Homestead Farm, 5299 Nielsen Road, Ferndale
Details: 633-2663 or 392-8267, www.wcwa.net.
The 12th annual event features battles between the Yanks and the Confederates both days, fought on horseback and on foot in full costume. The grounds are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 9 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 10, with Civil War-era civilians on site to answer questions, and the camps open for the public to inspect.
La Bella Strada, Bite of Bellingham and Chalk Art Festival
When: Aug. 9-10
Where: Downtown Bellingham
Details: 527-8710, 676-8548, www.downtownbellingham.com and www.alliedarts.org.
The Downtown Renaissance Association and Allied Arts of Whatcom County present a juried fine arts festival with live music and a chance to vote on the "Best Bite" from area restaurants. The popular Chalk Art Festival allows artists of all ages to create masterpieces on the downtown sidewalks, with judging in several categories.
Music events
BELLINGHAM FESTIVAL OF MUSIC
When: July 5-20
Where: Western Washington University and Bellingham Yacht Club
Details: 201-6621, www.bellinghamfestival.org.
The music festival, which closed after its 2006 season for financial reasons, returns to present a roster of world-class classical musicians performing orchestral and chamber music concerts. The festival has been in operation for 15 years, and draws hundreds of classical music aficionados from around the world. Conductor Michael Palmer is the festival's artistic director.
BLAINE JAZZ FESTIVAL
When: July 6-12
Where: Blaine Performing Arts Center, Blaine boardwalk, Fairhaven Village Green and Bellingham Cruise Terminal
Details: 332-5335, blainejazzfestival.com.
The Pacific Arts Foundation, headed by Sandy Wolf, joins the city of Blaine, the Blaine School District and a number of corporate sponsors to bring professional musicians from the United States and Canada to present classes and rehearsals for young jazz instrumentalists and vocalists, ages 18 through 23. The festival culminates in numerous semi-formal and informal concerts by the students and their mentors.
MT. BAKER RHYTHM & BLUES FESTIVAL
When: Aug. 1-3
Where: Deming Logging Show grounds, 3295 Cedarville Road, near Nugent's Corner
Details: www.boomkak.com/bakerblues.
For 13 years, promoter and blues-diehard Lloyd Peterson has presented a packed schedule of top musicians from across the country, originally at a tree farm in Deming, and now at a larger space, outdoors at the Deming Logging Show grounds, which allows for overnight campers and RV-hookups. This year's line up includes Canned Heat, the Zen Blues Quartet, the Electric Flag, Eric Sardinas, Kal David, Jason Ricci, Becki Sue & Her Big Rockin' Daddies, the Curtis Hammond Band and Fat James. Tickets are available at Avalon Music in Bellingham, as well as through the Web site.
SUBDUED STRING BAND JAMBOREE
When: Aug. 8-9
Where: Deming Logging Show grounds, 3295 Cedarville Road, near Nugent's Corner
Details: 348-3393, www.stringbandjamboree.com.
Robert Sarazin Blake, who divides his musical touring between the United States and Ireland, is the organizer of this two-day event of old-timey, bluegrass and root-Americana informal concerts, campfire jams, square dancing and workshops, now in its eighth year. Included on the lineup this year are the Gallus Brothers, the All-Nighters, CR Avery and Kristin Allen-Zito.
