How would you like to view The 2020 Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism Year in Review?

Economic Data Shows Tourism in Whatcom County
Both Hit Hard by Pandemic—and in Position to Help

Recent data released by Tourism Economics shows that COVID’s impact on tourism and hospitality resulted in a decrease in direct travel spending in Whatcom County of 31.4% in 2020. The study, prepared for Washington Tourism Alliance and Washington State Destination Marketing Organizations Association, tracks visitors to the region, their associated spend in five categories, and subsequent industry jobs. Visitors to Whatcom County were down 22.7% from over 3M in 2019, and the jobs supported by visitation dropped from 7,443 in 2019 to 4,199 in 2020, a painful 44% decrease for workers and their families. 

Fig A: Breakdown of direct spending in Whatcom County in 2019, a total of $555,100,000

Fig B: Breakdown of direct spending in Whatcom County in 2020 and trends chart

Port of Bellingham Receives $100,000
from State Commerce For Additional Small Business Relief Grants

Due on Monday, June 7, 2021 by 11:59pm PST.

Starting this week, applications will open for another competitive grant program – called the Small Business Relief Program – which is designed to continue to provide financial support and relief to small businesses in Whatcom County. Through the Port of Bellingham the Regional Economic Partnership (REP), which is Whatcom County’s associate development organization (ADO), has directly administered and distributed numerous relief grant programs since the onset of the pandemic, including Working Washington 1.0 and 2.0.

Park Facility and Shelter Reservation Update

In light of Governor Inslee’s announcement regarding an anticipated statewide reopening of Washington on June 30, Whatcom County Parks is updating reservation information for park facilities and shelters. This information is subject to change at any time based on updated guidance from State or Local health officials.

Join Us for a Fun Volunteer Celebration in Birch Bay
with Free Hats, Popsicles, Naturalist Walks, and a Beach Clean-up

Low tides, free parking, guided naturalist beach walks, and free popsicles are just a few of the exciting things happening at Birch Bay State Park for the “Watershed Watchers: Day at the Beach” event from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 12! Join Whatcom Conservation District (WCD) and Birch Bay Watershed & Aquatic Resources Management (BBWARM) District to celebrate and appreciate current and new volunteers in the Birch Bay Watershed Watchers program, while enjoying a summer day at the beach.

Father’s Day Car Show Offers Free Family Fun

More than 200 classic and modified cars and trucks are expected June 20 for the seventh-annual Father’s Day Car Show at Whatcom County’s Bellewood Farms & Distillery. Presented from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. by Gear Heads of Whatcom County, admission is free for spectators. Music and samples of farm-made apple spirits also will be offered and the Bellewood Farms cafe and bakery, featuring eight selections of fresh pies to properly thank dad, will be open.

Zeeks Pizza Bellingham to Open in Fountain District

Zeeks Pizza Bellingham is set to open to the public on May 29th. This will be the first Zeeks location in Whatcom County and nineteenth overall. The Fountain District pizza restaurant will feature one of the most noteworthy beer line-ups in the Northwest and one that celebrates beers and ciders brewed in and around Bellingham. Zeeks has long partnered and collaborated with Bellingham breweries, and eight of the seventeen initial taps will feature local producers!

Summer Camps at Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth

Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth (BAAY) is excited to welcome students back into their Downtown Bellingham building this summer. The “Home BAAYse” summer camps run July 5-16 and include a menu of in-person arts opportunities for kids and teens. These include dance, art, music, theatre, costuming, Broadway karaoke, field trips, and more. 

Origins and Evolutions: Exhibition Extended Through June 26

Gallery Syre is open to the public Tuesdays – Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment. We have masks for everyone and enough space to keep a safe distance at all times. Inspired by Clara Anderson, known to the family as “Grandma Joe”, the exhibition gathers artworks by generations of artists in the Anderson/Syre family: Grandma Joe, her grandson David Syre, and Syre’s daughter Amy Healy. Origins and Evolutions reveal how the power of art can transcend generations and forms.

Whatcom Museum Offers In-Person Programs this Summer

The Whatcom Museum is excited to offer a variety of in-person summer programs and activities for people of all ages. From the return of a community art project in June called Whatcom Squared to summer camps for kids to History Sunset Cruises, the Museum hopes to offer history and art experiences in a fun, safe way.

Whatcom Museum Opens Two Historical
Garment Exhibits at Old City Hall

The Whatcom Museum is excited to open two new exhibits at Old City Hall highlighting a selection of historical garments from the Museum’s collection spanning the 1800s through the mid-twentieth century. All Dressed Up… and Silk for Suffragettes and Schoolchildren: The Impact on Kimono on European and American Design Practices, c. 1890-1980, open Saturday, May 29.

Pride Month 2021 Events Begin
Thursday, June 3 at Thousand Acre Cider House

Check Events for Availability!

Thousand Acre Cider House is hosting weekly celebrations of LBGTQ+ culture and progress through weekly events with Betty Desire, a local community activist and drag queen, beginning Thursday, June 3.  For the first three Thursdays of June (3, 10, and 17), Betty Desire will lead a drag variety show at Thousand Acre’s outdoor patio from 8-9 p.m. On Thursday, June 24, the venue and Betty will host a panel discussion exploring Bellingham’s gay culture history and obstacles for inclusion and acceptance. The panel discussion date was chosen due to the proximity of June 28, the anniversary of the first Pride march held in New York City in 1970.

Visit Bellingham Whatcom County Photo Contest

Voting is now live! Check out our Facebook to vote for your favorite photo and help previous travelers win big! We received a lot of great shots so make sure to vote by liking / sharing / commenting on your favorite 📸 The top three photographers will win a gift card to Camber Coffee, Edaleen Dairy or a trip to the Lynden Pioneer Museum. Check out our site for more! 

See a shot you want to share? Here’s some text to help you share: "Check out Visit Bellingham | Whatcom County's Facebook to vote for your favorite photo of Whatcom County!  📸 Submissions are still open too—submit your shots now for a chance to win local prizes!  #BellinghamExperience"