It’s finally here- Thanksgiving weekend. Ahead of us we have four days of rest and relaxation kicked off with a delicious Thanksgiving feast. For many, myself included, this weekend will involve travel and the warm embrace of family.
I can hardly wait. It’s the same every time we get together. Everyone eats too much. We watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and cheer on our football team. The kids romp around the house like a herd of stampeding cattle in a shopping mall. Someone (usually me) gets political and sets off a fight. At least one young family member shows up adorned in some controversial fashion statement intended to pronounce themselves as an independent adult … and perhaps to aggravate the older generation. At least two people fall asleep on the couch and start snoring. We hear all the stories we’ve heard a thousand times before and a few new ones as well. It’s chaotic, wonderful, aggravating and delightful and I can’t wait.
Whether you are spending your holiday weekend with family, friends or winging it on your own, there are plenty of fun things to do and see around Whatcom County. Here is a short list of ideas to get you started. For the full holiday happenings, be sure to check out our events calendar.
Things to do this weekend in Bellingham:
- Forget the cooking and have a luxurious Thanksgiving dinner with none of the work! Four Points by Sheraton has you covered this holiday. Their renowned chefs will give you something to really be thankful for. Read more here.
- Pitch in and help out at Lighthouse Mission Ministries’ Thanksgiving dinner. Over 500 people are expected at this annual, charitable event. In addition, over 100 extra meals will be delivered to home-bound seniors through the Whatcom County Council on Aging’s Meals on Wheels & More program. Serving Thanksgiving dinner to those in need is sure to brighten your holiday weekend and leave a happy glow for weeks to come.
- Pick a Christmas tree from a local Whatcom County tree farm. See a list here.
- Kick off the Christmas season with the tree lighting ceremony at Semiahmoo Resort or take in a performance of “The Happy Elf” by Grammy Award winning composer and lyricist Harry Connick Jr.
- Learn to weave at Ragfinery’s Inkle Loom Weaving class.
- Stop into Honey Moon Mead & Cider to celebrate the release of their 2016 Bellingham Extra CiderHead, the delicious result of a community-focused project that captures the essence of Bellingham in a bottle, made from apples grown throughout our city. The release party will feature tours, tastings and treats with music by Bilongo Quintet.
- Experience all the magic and breathtaking beauty of The Nutcracker Ballet. From the Sugar Plum Fairy to the Kingdom of Sweets, you will be enthralled with this classic story of Christmas.
- Give your brain a workout with Sunday Chess at the Bellingham Public Library.
- Visit Whatcom Museum for Deck the Old City Hall. The building will be decorated in all its Christmas finery and will feature more than 20 themed trees. Santa will be on hand so you can get your requests in early.
- Get your Jazz on at Underground Coffeehouse. Musicians can bring their gear and share the stage.
- Take a relaxing stroll through Fairhaven and check out these eclectic boutiques.
- Prepare for ski and snowboarding season by watching a few Plick’s Flicks like this one featuring our own Mount Baker.
However you choose to spend your weekend be sure to take some time to reflect on your many blessings and savor everything you are most grateful for.
WhatcomTalk aims to be your source for positive information and events happening in Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden and throughout Whatcom County. If you have a suggestion for a post, send us a note at submit@whatcomtalk.com. For more events and to learn what’s happening in Bellingham and the surrounding area, visit our events calendar. To submit an event of your own, visit our events calendar and click on the green “Post Your Event” button.
