Performers, vendors, artists and community members filled the 1300 block of Commercial Street to celebrate the first downtown block party of the year Thursday, June 15.
The party’s theme was Juneteenth, a national holiday celebrating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, observed on June 19.
The Commercial Street Block Party started last year and is organized by Downtown Bellingham Partnership in collaboration with local small businesses. This year, the themes for each party are “Celebrate Juneteenth,” “Pride Continues” and “Nerd Night.” Each of these block parties take place on the third Thursday of every month, continuing through August.
Themes are new to this year’s celebrations but are something the planning committee will likely continue in the future, said Andrea Lawson, owner of MW Soapworks and member of the block party planning committee.
Mo’s Parlor owner Mo Green, also a member of the planning committee, said the event was a team effort.
“Everyone’s kind of putting in their part,” Green said.
The block parties replaced the Commercial Street Night Markets, a discontinued event that took place once a month during the summer.
The block party focused on local Black-owned businesses like Double Dutch Divas — a jump-roping group from Seattle — Mo’s Parlor, Brandywine Kitchen, Thrifted Wonderz and more.
Double Dutch Divas were the featured performers, and the troop invited people of all ages to learn how to double Dutch with them.
“[We’re] bringing unity in the community,” said Angie Marie Mosley, founder of Double Dutch Divas. “Double Dutch is not just a sport, it’s enrichment.”
Commercial Street is a hub of diverse businesses, and the block parties aim to celebrate that.
“We’ve got a couple Black-owned businesses, queer-owned businesses, we have many women-owned businesses,” Lawson said. “We all get it — we all understand the importance of community and networking.”
The block parties are free to attend and free for vendors to sell their goods. This was an important factor to Green.
“I know how vending goes, you know what I’m saying?” she said. “I want to be able to give everyone the opportunity to actually be successful in their vending opportunities.”
Portia Kors was one of the business owners and experienced vendors invited to participate in the event.
“I’m representing my fellow business owners and representing Black-owned businesses,” said Kors, who owns Skin Rhythm Spa, a natural skin product line. “It’s amazing. It’s a good feeling.”
The Commercial Street block party was one of several local Juneteenth celebrations. Western Washington University’s Black Student Coalition and Office of Equity are hosting an event on Friday, June 16. On the same day, the City of Bellingham will hold a Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony at City Hall. Maritime Heritage Park and Boulevard Park are host to events on Saturday, June 17, with more events throughout the weekend.
“We wanted to do it to celebrate Blackness,” Green said. “That was the most important thing.”
