Pride In Bellingham is growing. Check out this weekend’s events and vendors
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- Volunteer count for Pride In Bellingham grew from 55 in 2021 to over 200 in 2025.
- Organizers plan 501(c)(3) status to boost volunteer access and sponsor support.
- Festivities feature local vendors and events from July 10 through July 13.
The first year Pride In Bellingham planned the city’s Pride events, organizers saw a volunteer turnout of around 55. It’s been four years since then, and the group — organized by seven unpaid workers — is growing. Volunteer coordinator Daija Heyward is training more than 200 people in preparation for this weekend’s festivities.
“I just had my third volunteer training; we had a huge show out,” Heyward said. “We’re feeling like we’ve got a good stride.”
Amid its growth in popularity, the seven running Pride In Bellingham are looking to make it a 501(c)(3) organization. Some local employers — like WECU and BECU — pay workers for volunteer work with nonprofit organizations. Having a nonprofit status would thus allow more people to volunteer for pride, Heyward said. Sponsors would also be able to tax-deduct their donations to Pride.
“With that new person who’s gonna dedicate a little bit more time to making that happen for us, hopefully, we’ll see that change by next year,” Heyward said.
Funding for Pride in Washington as a whole has looked different this year. Seattle Pride had a 350k funding shortfall this year due to large sponsors pulling out, and Spokane Pride also lost some of its largest sponsors.
Pride In Bellingham made as much money for Pride as they always have, though Heyward said it’s the first time they’ve seen annual sponsors unable to contribute.
“I don’t think it’s a lack of want. I think people want to be able to show up in the way they have in the past. It’s more of, we live in a terrible climate right now, and it’s really hard for folks to show up in the ways they have in the past this year.”
Pride In Bellingham is sponsored mostly by local businesses, which Heyward said is intentional.
“It’s been very intentional for us to steer clear of corporations if we could,” Heyward said.
The focus on local businesses is reflected in the list of vendors. Check out the full list of events and vendors below.
Pride events across Bellingham
Thursday, July 10
Summer Qamp Documentary6 p.m. at Pickford Film CenterScreening of “Summer Qamp” at the Pickford Film Center followed by a Q&A with the director on Zoom. Tickets are $13.50 here.
Belling-Queerstory Tour by the Goodtime Girls 4 p.m. in Downtown Bellingham, $27.20A walking tour of LGBTQ+ history in Bellingham that ends at Rumors’ Cabaret for their Daylight Drag event. Tickets are $27.20 here.
Daylight Drag with Betty Desire6 p.m. at Rumors’ CabaretWriter and Drag Queen Betty Desire performs at Rumors’ Cabaret.
Friday, July 11
Pride Books & Beer 4 p.m. at Ponderosa Beer & Books All-ages are welcome at this LGBTQ+ reading event.
Saturday, July 12
Queer PromRumors’ Cabaret$10 cover charge, $5 for people dressed up for Prom.
Pride Family Picnic12 p.m. at Boundary Bay BreweryAll-ages picnic with food and drink available for purchase.
All Ages PRIDE Dance3 p.m. at -HUT-Pride weekend is the opening weekend for -HUT-, a new venue in Bellingham.
Sunday, July 13
Pride IN Bellingham Parade 11 a.m. in Downtown BellinghamThe parade starts at Cornwall Ave. & Maple St. and ends at the Pride IN Bellingham Festival in Depot Market Square.
Pride IN Bellingham Festival12 p.m. Depot Market Square
Spotlight Drag Show8 p.m. Rumors’ Cabaret
Pride In Bellingham vendors
Local Vendors
Village Books
Third Planet Boutique
Pickford Film Center
Peace Health
Cosmic Games
Chameleon Ink Tattoo and Piercing
This story was originally published July 9, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
