Bellingham SeaFeast 2021 on Saturday, October 30, 2021 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. celebrates our waterfront sector and maritime culture. With a reduced footprint and time frame, guests will gather at Squalicum Harbor and Boathouse Parking Lot to celebrate the Grand Opening of the new Fishermen’s Pavilion, enjoy the first spooky Harvest Harbor Walk, eat good seafood, enjoy local music, purchase seafood from local fishing families at Bellingham Dockside Market, learn how to steward our marine resources from local educational/outreach entities, meet our local fishermen, and try their hand at Guess-the-Fish Fun.
Because we expect over 500 attendees at this outdoor event, Bellingham SeaFeast is following Washington State Health Department guidelines and requires masks for all attendees over the age of five even if vaccinated. Vaccinations are encouraged but not required. Additional health standards will be implemented such as hand sanitizer stations, social distancing, and frequent sanitizing of all surfaces. Typical of the all-hands-on-deck outlook of this maritime sector, SeaFeast is working hard to ensure safety of all attendees while having fun and enjoying our wonderful waterfront and maritime culture. We look forward to seeing smiling eyes of our guests peering over the tops of masks of all who join us at the Harbor.
Because SeaFeast celebrates the “Feast of our Seas”, and this year, it happens the day before Halloween, we are excited to offer the first spooky Harbor Harvest Walk. Guests, vendors, and volunteers are encouraged to don a costume (family-friendly) and trick-or-treat at the many vendors and activities along the Harbor Waterfront Trail. Grab your pirate, fishing, or sea creature costumes (think denizens of the deep!) and join the first Harbor Harvest Walk at Squalicum Harbor.
From 12:30 to 12:50 p.m., guests will celebrate the Grand Opening Ceremony of the new Fishermen’s Pavilion. This 9,000 square feet Pavilion allows local commercial fishermen to hang their nets and repair their gear during the months of October through mid-May. From mid-May through September, the Pavilion will be available for community rentals. With its large glass garage doors and expansive views of the islands, the Pavilion is a true community treasure.
Additional performances at the Pavilion include local musicians Timothy Lambert, Marcia Guderian, and Celestial Navigation. Lummi Nation Black Hawk Dancers perform from 1 to 1:30 p.m.
Food Court vendors include Paellaworks serving paella teeming with seafood; Lumpia Luv offering Filipino seafood entrees; Island Girl Seafoods serving up sandwiches, grilled oysters, and soups/chowders; Captain Cod’s Fish & Chips; PC’s Coastal Kettle Corn & E-Lemon-ators; Sun Beans Coffee; Acme Valley Ice Cream; and the ever-popular Lummi Nation traditional salmon grilling. Guests can take their food purchases into the new Pavilion out of the elements to eat at tables with members of their household. The ever-popular Brews-with-a-View Beer Garden, inside the large Pavilion this year, will again be hosted by Boundary Bay Brewery serving local beers, wines, mulled wine, and cider from Lost Giants Cider.
Partners making Bellingham SeaFeast possible include: City of Bellingham, Port of Bellingham, Lummi Indian Business Council, Puget Sound Energy, Boundary Bay Brewery, Signs Plus, Bellingham Cold Storage, San Juan Cruises, Andrew Shelton Homes, Seattle Marine & Fishing Supply, Heritage Bank, Jeremy Ferrera/Edward Jones, Whatcom Working Waterfront Coalition, Whatcom Commercial Fishermen’s Association, Sanitary Services, True Tone Audio and more!
Bellingham SeaFeast, an annual festival usually on the third weekend of September celebrates our:
- Maritime culture and heritage
- Thriving working waterfront
- Enjoyment and conservation of our water resources
- Commercial fishing and seafood industries
- Culinary bounty of our corner of the Pacific Northwest
An increasing interest in our maritime and fishing sector – and its significant economic impact – led to the creation of Bellingham SeaFeast. Originally funded on a three-year seed grant from the City of Bellingham Lodging and Tourism Advisory Commission (travel and tourism tax allotments), this signature festival on Bellingham Bay launched in 2016.
Bellingham SeaFeast is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit, supported both by public and private entities throughout Whatcom County and the extended region. The City and Port of Bellingham continue to collaborate to redevelop and to intentionally connect downtown with our thriving working waterfront.
The Bellingham/Whatcom County region has three legacy industries/resources at its roots: Agriculture, Forestry & Wood, and Commercial Fishing/Maritime Trades. Bellingham SeaFeast showcases the maritime sector and its significant economic impact locally, regionally, and internationally.
SeaFeast operates through a dedicated Board of Directors, a small staff, and scores of committed volunteers. Planners have collaborated with stakeholders throughout Whatcom County to support the festival mission.
We look forward to welcoming you to the shores of Bellingham Bay during the third weekend of September. Take a cruise around our website, and feel free to email info@bellinghamseafeast.com with any questions.