Celebrating Memorial Day in Bellingham? Here are 8 ways to spend your weekend
Memorial Day is on Monday, May 25.
Whether you’re looking to honor military service members or celebrating the unofficial start of summer, there are several events planned in the Bellingham area.
Here are just a few ways to spend the long holiday weekend:
Memorial Weekend Block Party
When: 5 to 9 p.m., Friday, May 22; Noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 23, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, May 24
Where: Stones Throw Brewery, 1009 Larrabee Ave., Bellingham
What: Stones Throw Brewery’s three-day block party kicks off on Friday with a fundraiser for the Bellingham Food Bank and live music by the Legendary Chucklenuts from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The second day of the Stone Throw Brewery block party will feature music by Cascadia Groove, Lost at Last and River Spell as well multiple food trucks. Part of the proceeds will go to Backcountry Medical Guides, a nonprofit group dedicated to building safer communities with on-hands wilderness preparedness.
The third and final day of the block party will feature an “extended beer garden” with beer, cider and local food trucks as well as a makers market and a DJ, organizers said.
Info: 360-362-5058, marketing@stonesthrowbrewco.com
Skylark Café
When: 5 to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday
Where: Skylark Cafe, 1308 11th St., Bellingham
What: In addition to a full bar and fresh food off the grill, Skylark Café in Fairhaven will be serving up live music this Memorial Day weekend. River Spell will perform Friday evening, while Pacific Twang will take the stage Saturday. On Sunday, you can catch Penny Stinkers and The Naughty Blokes in concert.
Info: 360-715-3642
Whatcom Memorial Day Parade
When: Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday
Where: Cornwall Avenue, Bellingham
What: Dancers, marching bands, classic cars and more come together at the annual Whatcom Memorial Day Parade.
The route starts at the corner of Alabama Street and Cornwall Avenue, and continues south on Cornwall Avenue.
“It’s more than a parade,” organizers said on the Visit Bellingham Whatcom County website. “It’s a celebration of community, connection and the moments that bring us together.”
Contact: info@whatcommemorialdayparade.com
Ski to Sea
When: 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Multiple locations in Whatcom County
What: Scores of racers and spectators will gather Sunday for Ski To Sea, a multisport relay race from Mt. Baker Ski Area to the Bellingham Bay at Marine Park.
The event features teams of three to eight athletes competing in seven different sports: cross country skiing, downhill skiing, running, bicycling, canoeing, cyclocross biking and sea kayaking.
You’ll find food vendors at spectator areas including Zuanich Point Park in Bellingham and Hovander Park in Ferndale.
Contact: 360-746-8861
Ski to Sea Finish Line Hangout
When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday
Where: The Landing at Evil Bikes, 700 Harris Ave. in Bellingham
What: The Evil Bikes headquarters will host a “post-race hangout” to celebrate Ski to Sea on Sunday, featuring food trucks, a beer garden and ping pong. You can find multiple local vendors at the Makers Market.
Contact: info@evil-bikes.com
Paws For A Beer
When: Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday
Where: Paws for a Beer, 501 Harris Ave, Bellingham
What: Celebrate Memorial Day weekend with your dog at Paws For A Beer. The pet-friendly beer garden have live music, food trucks and a $5 beer special.
Contact: 360-733-7297
Memorial Day ceremony at Memorial Park
When: 8:30 a.m. Monday, May 25
Where: Memorial Park, 2700 King St., Bellingham
What: American Legion Albert J. Hamilton Post 7 will hold two Memorial Day ceremonies on Monday to honor local military service members.
The first ceremony, which takes place at Memorial Park will feature live music by the Bellingham Community Band, a keynote address by retired U.S. Army Col. Paul Rosser and a presentation of the colors with a 21-gun Salute.
“Memorial Day is a solemn federal holiday dedicated to honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the Armed Forces,” organizers said in a May 18 news release. “Rather than a general celebration, it is dedicated time of remembrance for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Contact: 360 739-8880
Memorial Day ceremony at Bayview Cemetery
When: 11 a.m. Monday
Where: Bayview Cemetery, 1420 Woburn St., Bellingham
What: The local American Legion post will repeat the Memorial Park ceremony at Bellingham’s Bayview Cemetery.
Contact: 360 739-8880