Fairhaven is one of Bellingham’s most beloved neighborhoods, a popular tourist destination and a pocket of pure history. Members of the association’s board, along with Executive Director Heather Carter, recently sat down with WhatcomTalk to discuss the association’s beginnings and the future of supporting its community members.
Where It All Began
“The Fairhaven Association was established in 1971 by a dedicated group of citizens and business owners with the mission of promoting and preserving the Fairhaven District,” says board Vice President Marissa Powell. “At that time, Fairhaven was perceived as a distinct community, and these folks really took matters into their own hands to address local needs and enhance the district.”
So much of the infrastructure and development we all enjoy in Fairhaven today is a direct result of those efforts and dedication during the early years of the association.
According to Fairhaven Association History — an essay compiled through Fairhaven newsletters, emails, memory, and newspaper articles in 2008 by Taimi Gorman — the group was originally called the Old Fairhaven Association, in 1971. Not only did the Old Fairhaven Association create a new eatery and decorate the district for Christmas, but it was also instrumental in having phone and power lines installed underground and installing the now iconic antique-chic light posts.
Amidst compiling donations, festival earnings, grants, and dues, the Old Fairhaven Association introduced historic tours and brochures aided by markers throughout the village.
“In 1984 it became a 501(c)6 and hosted the It All Ends in Fairhaven festival in conjunction with the annual Ski to Sea race,” says Board President Chris Caldwell. “In 2019, we hired our first executive director, part-time, continued to expand event offerings.” In 2022 the group moved into a Finnegan’s Alley office. Now, with a full-time executive director, volunteer board of directors with official by-laws, and more than 150 members, the Fairhaven Association provides a strong anchor and hub for the Fairhaven Village.
Modern Day Purpose
Today, the Fairhaven Association is one of the main driving forces behind community connection and merchant success in the village. “The purpose of the Fairhaven Association is to advocate for the village with our partners like the city of Bellingham, connect association members through communication, education and action, and attract visitors to the Village through events and activities,” Caldwell says.
Each year, the Fairhaven Association hosts various community events and promotes opportunities for a number of businesses, adding to the neighborhood’s close-knit relationships.
Annual Impact
The association has an annual budget of $270,000 — a modest figure compared to the number of events they host throughout the year. Yet the association successfully hosts around 30 community events each year, many of which are free to attend and enjoyed by all ages.
“Starting in February with the Chocolate Walk and ending in December with Winterfest, we estimate over 20,000 visitors come and attend these events annually,” says Powell. “Our executive director, Heather Carter, also works very closely with the City of Bellingham and serves on the Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism board to help advocate for and promote the businesses and people in Fairhaven.”
Collaborating with the neighborhood and community is foundational for the Fairhaven Association, creating the exposure and foot traffic needed for its continued success.
“The association supports our community as a whole by providing community-focused events, hosting the visitor kiosk and supplying an informative website and village map,” Carter says. “Our members find value in the events that drive visitors to their businesses, destination marketing, listings on our website and the village map, and advocacy with other Whatcom organizations.”
Annual Community Events
Alongside its unwavering support for a plethora of member-hosted events, the Fairhaven Association holds the following annual festivities:
February – Chocolate Walk
April – Dirty Dan Murder Mystery Weekend
May – Fairhaven Festival
July – Chicken Festival
July & August – Fairhaven Outdoor Cinema
August – Village Sidewalk Sale
*New in September 2024 – Health & Wellness Fair
October – Welcome to “FEAR”Haven Village Trick or Treat
November and December – Winterfest
Powell’s favorite event — though it’s hard to choose — is Winterfest. “My personal favorite is the Firelight Stroll,” she says. Going on its seventh year, this event continues to grow in popularity, with more than 1,600 attendees in 2023. “We’ve had a lot of people during the event tell us it’s become a staple in their holiday traditions, which is something we love to hear. We really strive to create events that engage the community and offer one-of-a-kind experiences.”
Looking Toward the Future
As the association evolves and grows, its programming will continue to expand, as well.
“This year, we’ll be developing an annual report, a membership brochure, updating our new website with itineraries, and working on a Historical Walking Tour guidebook,” says Chris Caldwell. “We hope the changes made in the last few years — official by-laws, full-time executive director, a full slate of events — will take us well into the future.”
For more information and to view upcoming events, please visit www.enjoyfairhaven.com.
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