If you're taking a stroll through Bellingham this weekend, you're going to be met by a flurry of activity.

There's art, chalk, sand and food, and quite a bit of fun along with it.

And if you're in Lynden, there's no way you can miss the Northwest Washington Fair. Now's the time to turn a casual stroll into a fantastic time.

La Bella Strada Art Festival

The street will be full of arts, crafts, gifts and food this weekend. The festival will take place from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10 from the 1200 to 1400 blocks of Cornwall Avenue.

Bite of Bellingham

Take a bite of what Bellingham restaurants have to offer. The event will run from noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9 in the 1200 block of Cornwall Avenue downtown. Tickets are $1 each, with bites ranging from one to three tickets and entrees from four to seven tickets.

Chalk Art Festival

Kids and adults alike will decorate the city sidewalks from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9. Take a look before you walk all over these fantastic pieces of art.

Sand in the City

Sand castles are the standard for summer fun, so get to building. This event takes place from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8 and Saturday, Aug. 9, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10 in front of the Harbor Center Building, 1801 Roeder Ave. The event is free, but donations are accepted and will go to the Marine Life Center. For more information, go online to www.portofbellingham.com and click on the calendar for events.

Northwest Washington Fair

For the ultimate in outdoor arts and entertainment, head over to Lynden's Northwest Washington Fair and Events Center from Monday, Aug. 11 to Saturday, Aug. 16. There are rides, vendors and tons of fair foods, as well as some great music.

Reach Zoe Fraley at zoe.fraley@bellinghamherald.com or call 756-2803. Visit her blog, "Style & Error," at TheBellinghamHerald.com/blogs.