This week: Free state parks, rock show and the Bham Fam Fair | The Bellingham Herald

Day-use parking is free Saturday at state parks, and there’s the popular plant sale, rock show and Bham Fam Fair.

State park free days

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No fee is require to park at Washington state parks on Saturday, March 26. The free day applies only to day-use parking at state parks; the Discover Pass or day-use pass is still required on WDFW and DNR lands. For beachcombers, Bellingham low tide is 1.2 feet at 1:36 p.m. Info: discoverpass.wa.gov.

Growing, Northwest style

Whatcom Conservation District’s annual native plant sale and expo, featuring more than 40 species of trees and shrubs, is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at the Roe Studio on the Whatcom Community College campus, 400 W. Kellogg Road. Info: whatcomcd.org/plant-sale.

Gem of a time

The Mount Baker Rock and Gem Club’s annual free Gem and Mineral Show features displays of rocks, minerals, fossils, gems, jewelry, lapidary equipment, special activities for children and demonstrations such as gold panning from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 26, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 27, at Bloedel-Donovan Park, 2214 Electric Ave. Info: mtbakerrockclub.org/rockshow.html.

Celebrate women’s history

“Valley Girls: Noteable Women of the Skagit” opened this week and runs through June 20 at the Skagit County Historical Museum, 501 S. 4th St. in La Conner. Take the long way there through the coastal flats and farmland and see wintering raptors and blooming fields of tulips, daffodils and irises. Info: skagitcounty.net/Departments/HistoricalSociety. 360-466-3365.

Family fun fair

Bellingham Families magazine’s second annual Bham Fam Fair features more than 35 family-oriented business sharing information on products, services and activities for families with children up to ages 12 or 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at the Sportsplex, 1225 Civic Field Way. Food trucks, live music from Seattle kindie rockers the Not-Its! (noon), plus bounce castles, crafts, ice skating, and more. Admission $8 at door; $30 group; 2 and under free. Info: 360-715-2237.