Father’s Day is coming up again and while there are many options available throughout Whatcom County to help dad celebrate, one local outdoor festival may contain every activity on his list — all while raising money and awareness for a local non-profit. For the fourth year in a row, Bellingham car dealership Wilson Motors will host its Bellingham Fête and Car Show on Sunday, June 19 to benefit local non-profit Sustainable Connections.
Several years ago, Wilson Motors’ Business and Marketing Director, Pete Nelson, was put in charge of the company’s charitable giving. But rather than just writing checks, he decided to get creative and use the funds available for giving to raise even more money for local charities. Each year since 2013, Wilson Motors has cleared their lot and hosted a giant fundraising celebration known as a fête. “When I was growing up our local hospital had a weeklong fête that was such a fun festival that everyone enjoyed,” explains Nelson. “I wanted to continue that feeling and use the name for our event.”
The fête’s focus each year is to thank Wilson Motors’ customers and the community that supports them while also raising awareness and funds for a selected local non-profit. “We’ve made great efforts to be an incredibly sustainable dealership, including having the largest permeable asphalt in the State of Washington. From our lighting to being respectful of Whatcom Creek behind us, we do everything with a mindset to be as green as possible,” notes Nelson. “So Sustainable Connections was such an easy choice for us.”
Since 2002, Sustainable Connections, a non-profit network of local, independently-owned Whatcom County businesses and supporters, has facilitated sustainable economic development in our area by providing education, business networking, and market development.
“Wilson Motors has been a member of Sustainable Connections from the very beginning,” notes Sustainable Connections’ Event and Volunteer Coordinator, Erin McCain-Anderson. “When Pete approached us about the fête benefiting our Think Local First campaign, we jumped at the opportunity. The funds raised will go toward promoting and supporting our local businesses and encouraging the public to always think local first.”
The fête also helps support local artists and businesses directly. “We’re so excited to be able to say that all the vendors who will be there, from the food trucks and entertainment to the art and craft vendors, are all locally-owned businesses,” explains McCain-Anderson. “We can’t wait to celebrate this community!”
Dad will be able to appreciate many of his favorite things at the fête. More than seven local breweries will be on-site offering their best locally-made frosty beverages. Wine tastings and a variety of local food trucks will also satisfy appetites while raising money.
A highlight of the event is the antique and classic car show that will be peppered throughout the spacious lot on Iowa Street. “We have handpicked some classic vehicles to share at the event including a $300,000 truck, a beautiful Thunderbird and Corvette, and even a Model-T. They will be spread throughout the event for everyone to appreciate,” explains Nelson. As a way to educate and showcase modern technology’s contribution to sustainable transportation, several electric vehicles will also be on site.
The fête’s festive atmosphere will include live music by talented local musicians from noon to 8:00 p.m. for dad’s dancing and listening pleasure. D’vas and Dudes, a six-piece dance band, will kick off the event with their rock, blues, country and bluegrass covers followed by the American soul, funk, and rhythm and blues covers and originals of Bellingham super group Baby Cakes. The evening portion of the event will feature award-winning Pacific Northwest slide guitarist and songwriter Nick Vigarino.
Not only will dad be satisfied with all that the fête has to offer, but there’s also a variety of activities at this all-ages event for the rest of the family too. “The Bellingham Circus Guild will be wandering the crowd doing what they do best,” notes Nelson. “We’ll have bouncy houses, pony rides, and face painting for the kids, plus a psychic, a silent auction, and a 50/50 raffle,” notes Nelson. The wares of over 35 local artists and craftsman will also be on hand to make the day special.
Admission to the fête is free. All of the proceeds of the party will be donated to Sustainable Connections. The event is purposely on a Sunday so that patrons may park on adjacent surface streets and in closed businesses’ lots.
The 4th Annual Bellingham Fête and Car Show is a fantastic way to celebrate Father’s Day in a way that supports the local community’s artists, performers and businesses, all while drawing awareness to a positive organization. Wilson Motors has more than 100 employees that will be volunteering their time that day to pull off the incredible variety of activities. “We hope to raise as much money as possible this year,” says Nelson, hopefully. “But the idea is really to spread the word about Sustainable Connections and its mission to ‘Buy Local, Be Local.’”
Wilson Motors
1100 Iowa Street
Bellingham, WA 98229
360-201-7289
Bellingham Fête and Car Show
Sunday, June 19
Noon to 8:00 p.m.
Sponsored
