Alongside Whatcom’s famous relay race, Ski to Sea, the Fairhaven Association is once again hosting “Bellingham’s biggest street fair,” on May 26. Executive Director Heather Carter sat down with WhatcomTalk to promote the exciting programming and events at this year’s Fairhaven Festival!
Festival Day
“We’re looking at 39 years of this festival,” says Carter. “We’re great partners with Ski to Sea, but different entities. The festival itself will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and our beer garden will be open from noon to 7 p.m. that day, as well.”
This year’s festival spotlight will be on artisanal creations and celebrating homemade goods. “We’re focusing — both from a beer garden standpoint and a street fair angle — on artisans,” Carter says. “Our local craft breweries are participating alongside cideries and wineries in the beer garden. Our artisan market is all local, handmade items from Whatcom, Skagit, and Island Counties.”
Local Association members will also be participating, but most of the vendors are regionally based artisans. “We have several categories of artisans featured,” says Carter. “We have jewelry and food — homemade foods like honey, candy, barbeque sauce, and hot sauce. We have some great plants this year, home goods like candles and eco-friendly businesses like Pumped Bellingham. We have a real variety.”
Vendors will set up from Mill Avenue to McKenzie Avenue on 11th in Fairhaven. Presenting Sponsor Superfeet will have a booth right in the center of the lineup. “The prime area of the village will be closed to car traffic,” Carter says. “We’ll have the live entertainment stage at the Village Green.” Dance and party music band, The Atlantics, along with funky music group, Cozmic Sauce, and rock-funk-soul band, North Sound Soul, round out the live entertainment lineup, facilitated by the FireHouse Arts & Events Center.
Amenities
Parking will be on a first-come, first-serve basis in the lot on Harris Avenue near Evil Bikes for $20 cash-only. For those arriving on two wheels, a bike valet will be set up on North 10th Street for easy drop off and pick up.
“There is no entry fee,” says Carter. “Obviously, the beer garden costs money for drinks, as well as if you want to buy something from a vendor. There are also a few corresponding events that weekend with nearby businesses.”
Support for the Fairhaven Association
Every year, the Fairhaven Association hosts a variety of beloved community events around the historic neighborhood and the Fairhaven Festival is a large part of their continued success.
“The Fairhaven Festival was created to support the Fairhaven Association, from its inception,” Carter says. “We’re raising money for activities and events that take place here in Fairhaven. For example, we don’t charge for any of the Winterfest activities like Santa, the carriage rides, the lights throughout the Village, or the Luminary Walk. We’re raising money to continue to support those community events.”
For Ski to Sea participants, spectators, and nearby Western University students, the festival is a favorite yearly tradition. “People participating in the race want a place to just sit back and relax after they’ve competed,” says Carter. “This is also a great event for Western students, who know all about it and go every year. It is the biggest street fair in Bellingham. Anyone can just come and enjoy themselves, whether that’s the craft beer or the artisan market or the live entertainment.”
Join Historic Fairhaven for a day of great tunes, delicious food and wonderful company with the upcoming Fairhaven Festival on Sunday, May 26!
Schedule of Events
Local Artisan Craft & Food Vendors 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Beer/Wine Garden – 21+ (noon – 7 p.m.)
Live Entertainment:
The Atlantics (1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.)
Cozmic Sauce (3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
North Sound Soul (5 p.m. – 7 p.m.)
Special Note on transportation
Whatcom Transportation Authority in Bellingham will run extra bus service on Route 14 between Western Washington University and the Ski to Sea Festival in Fairhaven. Free parking will be available at WWU’s Lot C, located on Bill McDonald Parkway at West College Way. Buses will depart from a bus shelter on the west side of Bill McDonald Parkway. The bus shelter is called Bill McDonald Parkway at WWU Rec Center. Buses will depart approximately every 15 minutes from 11:30 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. After 7:15 p.m., Route 14 will return to its regular Sunday schedule. Riders can catch Route 14 to return to Lot C from the shelter at 12th and McKenzie (near Haggen). Riders can also catch Route 1 between downtown Bellingham and Fairhaven. Route 1 departs every 30 minutes on Sundays. Each ride costs $1 cash. Exact change only. WTA will also accept all valid WTA bus passes. For more information, call 360.676.7433.
List of Vendors
Clothing & Fabric:
Emary Handmade
Handmade by Cookie
Little Baby Wren
Made by Michelle
One Love Creations
Salt & Rain
Sea Jewel Canvas Company
Skirt Sisters / Reimagined
Soft Pottery
The Goat’s Coat
The Prim Parlor
Wild Material
Yarntender
Jewelry & Paper:
ExploreDDesigns
Cranes by Carley
Leah Meleski
Magic Carpet Jewelry
MaryGold Tales
Natures Inspirations
Simply Quilled Designs
S Mag Design
Spiral Square Designs
Spoons to Rings & Things
Tin Ventures
We Can
Art & Plants:
Arrows Aim Greenhouse & Supply Co.
Creations of Joy LLC
Kristy Carrico Art
Lightning Tree Designs
Mad Mosaics
Moné Design Studio
Raising Wolvez
Your Local Plant Mama
Candles & Accessories:
Everwick Candles
Coast to Coast Sustainables
The Cusp Creative
Glitt3r Lyfe
Lelu Company
Whimzylife [Bellinghamsters]
The Stump of Approval
Food:
Chef Bo’s Gourmet Jerky
Funky’s Hot Sauce Factory
Marie’s Bees
Shrub Farm/Apple State Vinegar
Simply Plantz LLC
Jakd Freeze Dried Candy
Süss Candy
Beauty:
Deedee Gollin Essential Skincare
K & K Creations
Midlife Skin
Nature’s Home and Body
Skin Rhythm Spa
Miscellaneous:
Doc D’s CBD Apothecary
Eerie Ivy Creations
Normiehead
Pumped Bellingham
