The Northwest Washington Fair is coming to Lynden soon, and Whatcom County locals know it’s not something you should miss!

From the Lynden Rodeo to a Demolition Derby, from open-air concerts to all the rides your stomach can handle — there is something for everyone this year at the Northwest Washington Fair.

Oh . . . and did we mention the food?

Here is a short list of events so you can plan your perfect family evening at The Fair:

Demolition Derby — Monday, Aug. 16, 1 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Weird Al Yancovik in concert — Tuesday, Aug. 17 at 8 p.m.

Kenny Rogers — Wednesday, Aug. 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Casting Crowns – Thursday, Aug. 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Rick Springfield – Friday, Aug. 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Metal Mulisha Motocross – Saturday, August 21, 6 p.m.

For more information, including ticket info, please visit www.nwwafair.com. Please visit my informative site at www.realestatepacificnorthwest.com to learn more about what makes Lynden a great Pacific Northwest community in which to live, work and play.

Once again, Allied Arts of Whatcom County is putting on a fantastic show in Downtown Bellingham this year!

For two days this coming weekend, the 1200, 1300 and 1400 blocks of Cornwall Avenue will be alive with color, as over 60 of The Pacific Northwest’s finest artists display their paintings, pottery, fiber art and more! Local Whatcom County bands will perform music on the Main Stage, and the ArtBar will feature local wines and brews for your tasting pleasure.

Also taking place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. is the 18th Annual Chalk ArtFest, an event open to families, children, adults & community groups. There will be prizes awarded and professional photography of the chalk creations. This community event attracts thousands of visitors to Downtown Bellingham to see people of all ages and backgrounds celebrating creativity through the simple act of drawing with chalk on a sidewalk. Wagon rides will allow visitors to tour the chalk creations. Don’t miss this fun community event — if you’d like to participate, adults can buy a square for $25, and children’s squares are $12. For more information call 360-676-8548 ext 5 or email katy@alliedarts.org.

The vibrant arts community in Bellingham and Whatcom County is just one of the reasons that living in Bellingham is a wonderful experience. To find a work of art that you can come home to each day, please take a look at our FREE Pacific Northwest MLS Search!

One of the amazing perks of living in Bellingham, WA, is the opportunity to take advantage of all the great live music throughout the summer season! The recreational activities throughout Whatcom County are endless.

From Celtic music to Salsa, Classic Rock to Jazz, music enthusiasts of every kind will find live local concerts to enjoy throughout the summer. Every concert is free and fun for the whole family!

Here’s a list of park venues and times:

At Elizabeth Park in the Columbia Neighborhood:

Thursdays June 24-August 26, 6-8 p.m.

At Boulevard Park in the South Hill Neighborhood:

Saturdays June 19-August 14, 7-9 p.m.

At Big Rock Garden Park in the Alabama Hill Neighborhood:

Selected Sundays June 20-August 15, 3:30-5 p.m.

Children’s Concert Series at the Bellingham Library Lawn in Downtown Bellingham:

Fridays July 16-August 13, noon-1 p.m.

To get more specific details on each concert date, please visit the City of Bellingham.

Since 2007, the Pickford Film Center in Downtown Bellingham has been bringing the best of the Seattle Children’s Film Festival to families in Whatcom County. On May 22 and 23rd, the festival showcases animation, live action and documentary short films by filmmakers both local and global.

The Children’s Film Festival aims to be far more than just a passive viewing experience, however. The Pickford teams up with local Pacific Northwest arts and theater organizations to provide free hands-on workshops to kids and their families. Storyboards, claymation, improvisation and acting workshops are just a few that have been offered at previous festivals.

This year, there’s a new piece: families can head over to the Whatcom Museum Lightcatcher Building to create their own manuscripts or multimedia characters. Admission to the Museum is $3 with a film festival stub.

If you love history, you’re in luck this weekend! The Daughters of Pioneers are hosting an open house and tours of the Pickett House — the oldest building in Bellingham and the oldest wooden structure in Washington State!

Captain George E. Pickett first moved to Bellingham as leader of Company D of the Ninth Infantry to offer early Bellingham settlers protection.  Soon after his arrival in Whatcom County, he began building his house overlooking the Roeder-Peabody Lumber Mill on Whatcom Creek. Built of undressed planks in 1856, the house is an important historical landmark for Whatcom County and The Pacific Northwest.

Pickett himself left Bellingham in 1861 when he went back to Virginia to lead Confederate troops in the Civil War. After becoming a General, Pickett led the 1863 charge at Gettysburg.

The Pickett House will be open to the public from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, May 9th. The house is located at 910 Bancroft St., Bellingham, WA, 98225.

Photo Courtesy City of Bellingham

Since 1973, Bellingham’s Ski to Sea Race — and the festivities surrounding it — have been a big part of life in Whatcom County. This year’s race is only a month away on May 30!

If you’re not familiar, Ski to Sea is a 90-mile race completed by hundreds of 8-member teams from all over the world. Racers start at Mt. Baker on cross-country skis. Downhill skiers or snowboarders take over from there, followed by running, road biking, canoeing, mountain biking and finally kayaking. The race ends in historic Fairhaven.

If you’re looking for gear for the race, or if you’re just looking for some good outdoor gear as the temps warm up, make sure to stop by the Community Building at Bloedel Donovan Park in the Silver Beach neighborhood, 2214 Electric Ave, from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday, May 1. You’ll be able to find skis, snowboards, canoes, kayaks and bicycles at great prices!

And don’t forget to mark your calendar for these fun and family-friendly Ski to Sea festivities —

• Golf Classic May 20

• Jr. Parade May 21

• Jr. Race May 22

• Grand Parade May 29

• Ski to Sea Race May 30.

Bellingham recreation abounds during this time of year, and it’s only one more reason why life here in The Pacific Northwest is something special. To find a Whatcom County home here in this active, lively community, please give me a call today at (360) 319-4939 or toll-free at (888) 319-4939.

Photo Courtesy:

lmbevis & michaeleastley

If you’re a seafood lover, you may want to make sure you make your way into Fairhaven for the Eighth Annual Dirty Dan Days festival, celebrating seafood and Fairhaven community founder Dan Harris!

Festivities include seafood (of course), live music, a pro fish fillet contest, salmon toss, cupcake eating contest, toy boat building, interactive fish art, an 1800’s dress-up, cooking demos, the Chuckanut Chowder cook-off, and — get this — a piano race down Harris Avenue!

Don’t miss out on this early-spring opportunity to celebrate the roots of the Fairhaven neighborhood.

To find homes in Fairhaven, please search my free MLS search, or give me a call to get the very latest information on great deals on Fairhaven homes!

For the very best in fresh, local Pacific Northwest produce, and quality, locally-made artisan crafts, make sure you visit The Bellingham Farmer’s Market, which just opened for its 18th season last Saturday.

In many of the stands, you’ll find plenty of organic, seasonal produce, a reflection of Bellingham’s commitment to a greener, healthier, more sustainable lifestyle.

In others, you’ll find unique, handmade pottery, jewelry and other great gift ideas.

I also have to mention: the food is fantastic. What a wonderful place for a Saturday breakfast with the family or out-of-town visitors!

Head down Railroad Avenue in Downtown Bellingham any Saturday morning April to December, and you’ll find it bustling with activity, rain or shine!

The Bellingham Farmers Market is open at the following times and locations:

Saturday Market:

Downtown Bellingham on Railroad at Chestnut
April through Christmas
10am to 3pm

Wednesday Market:

Fairhaven on the Village Green behind Village Books
June through September
12 to 5pm

The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival begins April 1st, but the flowers are evidently anxious to get on with the show! With our mild Pacific Northwest winter, it’s no real surprise that the daffodils, tulips and irises in Mount Vernon are blooming a little earlier this year. Festival organizers always say, “Bloom dates according to Mother Nature,” and it’s true!

Daffodils are already in adorning most fields in bright yellow, and the main attraction — tulips — are already beginning their debut near the Roozengarde Display Garden. In just a few short weeks, most of the fields are expected to be in full bloom, turning the Mount Vernon area into a true Pacific Northwest attraction as people travel large distances to see the gorgeous floral display.

The Tulip Festival is just one reason why life in Skagit County is Pacific Northwest living at its finest.  To learn about exciting deals on homes in Skagit County or Mount Vernon homes, please Contact Me or visit my free, no-hassle Northwest MLS search. To see photos of the tulips, be sure to check out my Pacific Northwest photoblog during the month of April!

Helpful Tulip Festival Links:

Bloom Map

Official Festival Website

It’s almost St. Patty’s Day, and Whatcom County likes to celebrate each year with the Runnin’ O’ the Green sponsored by Bellingham Parks & Recreation— a chance to get out and get some great exercise in The Pacific Northwest, and, of course, celebrate the wee bit of Irish spirit in each of us.

Two races will take place on Saturday, March 13th at 10:00 a.m.— a 2-mile fun-run/walk and a 5-mile race, both of which begin and end at Bloedel Donovan Park at Lake Whatcom (the courses wind through Whatcom Falls Park and local greenways). Awards will be given to the top 3 males and females overall and there will be many drawn prizes.Refreshments and snacks will be provided for race participants, and there will even be live music and dancing!

Registration is $20 and includes a t-shirt. To register, visit the City of Bellingham’s website or get more information at local running shoe stores. Don’t miss this fun opportunity to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with family and friends (and of course, remember to come decked out in green)!

Photo credit: Sherlock77