Relish a nibble or a sip at Bite of Bellingham | Bellingham Herald

This is the first year that Black Drop Coffeehouse will participate in the annual Bite of Bellingham, and co-owner Stephanie Oppelaar is excited to “show off the goods” from their newly opened bakery.

The Bite is noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, at Depot Market Square.

The Champion Street coffeehouse will offer what Oppelaar says are three most-requested items: mini-versions of bacon-cinnamon rolls; a gluten-free Earl Grey shortbread cookie, drizzled with lavender icing; and a grain-free, vegan Black Bean Brownie — “super fudgy and delish,” she says.

Kyle Fuller, marketing director for Downtown Bellingham Partnership, is now in her second year working on the Bite and says the event has grown tremendously.

“The Bite of Bellingham is the biggest culinary event in Bellingham because not only does it bring more than 4,000 people to Depot Market Square, but it is the one event that someone can go to and sample more than 30 local food and drink vendors,” she says. “Our goal is to introduce people to restaurants, bars and breweries that they may not have never even heard of, and having them patronize them after the Bite.”

New this year is a cocktail competition with Uisce, Casa Que Pasa, The Racket, and The Shakedown competing.

And unlike in years past, people 21 and older can get sample drinks in the beer garden, Fuller says.

“Make your own sampler flight from all of the breweries, bars and wineries, and sip while you enjoy your food,” she says.

“There will be a pop-up shop from Village Books on-site, so that when you eat something amazing and are inspired to cook at home, you can get a cookbook and get started right away,” she says.

CJ Good, marketing director at Aslan Brewing Co., says the brewery participated in its first Bite last year.

“It was an obvious choice to participate,” she says, “because it’s a healthy way to develop a presence and sense of community with a voice and aesthetic that showcases our culture.”

Nick Hartrich, executive director of Downtown Bellingham Partnership, says that “as the culminating event to Eat Local Month, we invite families and friends to sample a variety what our local vendors offer while continuing to celebrate a growing downtown.”