Several longtime events return to Whatcom County after a two-year absence: the Sunnyland Stomp, Bellingham’s Pride Festival and Lynden’s Raspberry Festival. Plus, the Bellingham Roller Betties put on their skates again!
Summer art show
Mix and mingle with more than 150 artists whose works are included in the Summer Exhibits at the opening from 6–8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 14, at the Jansen Art Center, 123 Front St. in Lynden. Live music will be playing throughout the gallery spaces, and beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.
On display are Rachel Rothberg’s bird portraits, “Elegy;” Trish Harding’s environmental paintings, “Wet Lands/Dry Lands;” Eric Chauvin’s paintings, “Nova Roma;” the 10th annual “Cup Show” from the ceramics studio; “Make A Scene,” a group shadowbox exhibit from the jewelry studio; “Woolscapes” by Flora Carlile-Kovacs; a felting exhibit from the textiles studio; and works from the Whatcom Artist Studio Tour. The exhibits can be seen throughout the summer.
On opening night, stick around to watch the screening of a short film at 8 p.m. to accompany Eric Chauvin’s exhibit, where visitors can see how these intricate pieces are constructed with precision and planning. Find out more at jansenartcenter.org.
Nathan Heatherly’s “Mushroom Hiker” is among the works exhibited in the summer shows at the Jansen Art Center. An opening reception for the variety of new exhibits takes place from 6–8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 14. (Photo courtesy of Jansen Art Center)
Whatcom County’s red treasures
The 33rd annual Northwest Raspberry Festival takes place throughout Lynden on Friday and Saturday, July 15–16, and includes 3-on-3 basketball tournaments, live entertainment on two stages, a street market, a kids’ zone, raspberry treats, fresh raspberries, a beer garden, a salmon barbecue on Friday evening and the “Razz and Shine” Car Show on Saturday. Info is at lynden.org.
Take a chance
Squalicum Musical Theatre Institute presents “Mamma Mia!,” the musical that tells the hilarious story of a young woman’s search for her birth father, using the songs of 1970s band ABBA to move the plot along. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 15; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 16; and 2 p.m. Sunday, July 17, at Squalicum High School, 3773 E. McLeod Rd. Tickets are $15 online or at the door.
As a new nonprofit, Squalicum Musical Theatre Institute is comprised of four local educators who started the program to serve students in any of the Bellingham School District’s high schools. The three-week intensive summer program aimed to produce and perform a full-length musical. The performance program for “Mamma Mia!” is comprised of 40 student cast members, and the production program consists of 17 student crew members. Rehearsals have been happening at Squalicum High School. Get details and tickets at squalicummusicaltheatre.org.
Jazzed up in Blaine
The Blaine Harbor Music Festival returns, with noon-hour concerts taking place at the city’s G Street Plaza Wednesday through Friday, July 13–15. Student and faculty showcases happen nightly at the Blaine Performing Art Center, and the festival culminates from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 16 with an Art 2 Jazz Street Fair on the waterfront. The free event features concerts of jazz, pop and standards, as well as art, craft and photography vendors. Info: blaineharbormusicfestival.org.
Sunnyland Stomp
Families can enjoy this free-ranging annual summer celebration of the talent and creativity hiding behind the garden gates of the Sunnyland neighborhood. Peck around the neighborhood from 3–8 p.m. Saturday, July 16, and flock to participating Stomp Stops (maps will be available leading up to the event). Stomp Stops feature games, art, activities and live music. The neighborhood is bounded by Cornwall Avenue and Interstate 5 (east-west) and Sunset Drive and Ohio Street.
The Chicken Race is back, too, happening before the Stomp at noon at Memorial Park near Sunnyland Elementary School. Dogs are welcome on the sidewalks and parks of the Sunnyland neighborhood, but may not be welcome inside people’s homes or businesses, so plan accordingly. Details are at sunnylandstomp.com.
Adayrn Healy (standing) is Donna Sheridan in Squalicum Musical Theatre Institute’s production of “Mamma Mia!,” showing for one weekend only, July 15–17, at the forum at Squalicum High School. (Photo courtesy of David Rukashaza-Hancock)
Pride in the Park
Bring a blanket and your family to picnic and enjoy activities for all ages from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 16, at Blaine’s Marine Park.
Pride in the Park will feature story time, jewelry crafting, food trucks, karaoke and more. All ages are welcome. This event is sponsored by Whatcom County Library Foundation. Got questions or want to get involved? Contact: prideinthepark@wcls.org, or head to wcls.libcal.com.
Rolling along!
After two long years, roller derby is back in Whatcom County with the Bellingham Roller Betties. The back-to-back, action-packed bouts begin at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 16, at Lynden Skateway, 421 Judson St. Doors open at 4:45 p.m. Get your tickets presale at $10 for adults and $7 for kids ages 8–12 at bellinghamrollerbetties.com. Ticket prices will increase by $3 at the door. Kids 7 and younger get in for free. A beer garden will be provided by Boundary Bay.
Classic Car Show
More than 350 cars will be on display from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 17, at Barkley Village, at the Vietnam Vets Car Show. Walk through and enjoy cars, trucks, motorcycles and Vietnam-era vehicles (1959–1975) as well as pre-1930 vehicles, presented by decade. Raffle drawings all day and food trucks for libations. Details: barkleyvillage.com.
Pride Parade
Time to bring out the family and celebrate all of our uniqueness at Bellingham’s 2022 LGBTQIA+ Pride Parade. Starting at noon Sunday, July 17, at Waypoint Park, the parade will travel along Granary Avenue, and turn up Chestnut Avenue toward Railroad Avenue, where it will then turn into Depot Market Square and end at the Pride Festival.
Immediately following the parade, the festival runs from 1–4 p.m. at Depot Market Square. For those interested in walking in the parade, please email Pride2022parade@gmail.com. For other events on Pride Weekend, go to downtownbellingham.com/monthly-happenings.
Before attending an in-person event, check with individual venues to make sure it is taking place as scheduled.
Margaret Bikman’s column runs every Wednesday. Reach her at margaret.bikman@gmail.com.
