Weekend Festivals in Bellingham – End of July
The end of July is here and with it lots of things to do this weekend.
Let’s start with:
The Mt. Baker Rhythm & Blues Festival, turns 21 this year. It was born out of an idea by Bellingham’s Lloyd Peterson who wanted to showcase both national and up-and-coming local musicians. It has gotten ever more popular and was voted top Blues Festival in America by the Blues Foundation in 2013 for “keeping the blues alive.” This year’s headliners are 60’s legends The Yardbirds and Savoy Brown.
The 2016 version, is Friday through Sunday, July 29-31, at the Deming Logging Showgrounds. Camping is free.
Early birds are welcome to an extra show featuring The Noah Wotherspoon Band from 8 p.m. until midnight on Thursday, July 28, with a $10 cover.
There’s also a jam at the museum building that from 11 pm after the last act to 2 am
Here is the line- up
Thursday, July 28
Special show, 8 p.m.-midnight: The Noah Wotherspoon Band
Friday, July 29
5-6:30 p.m.: Carson Diersing
7-8:30 p.m.: Arsen Shomakhov
9 p.m.-close: Magnus Berg
Saturday, July 30
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: The Wasteland Kings
1-2:30 p.m.: Josey Wails
3-4:40 p.m.: Bobby Patterson Band
5-6:30 p.m.: Selwyn Birchwood
7-8:30 p.m.: Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown
9 p.m.-close: The Yardbirds
Sunday, July 31
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: The Naughty Blokes
1-2:30 p.m.: The Chris Eger Band
3-4:30 p.m.: The Strange Tones
5-6:30 p.m.: The Noah Wotherspoon Band
7 p.m.-close: Popa Chubby
Then there is the Birch Bay Music Festival which is a fun filled 3-day family event in Birch Bay with lots of great live music by 20 bands, as well as arts & crafts, food, a beer and wine garden, event T-shirts, CD’s and more.
The line-up for this event is:
Friday, July 29
12:00-1:00 – Quinton Rundell
1:30-2:30 – Daisy Propane
3:00-4:00 – Mr. Feel good
4:30-5:30 – Cee Cee James
6:00-7:30 – Blue Eyed Mary
8:00-10:00 – Maximus
Saturday July 30
10:00am-10:45am – Exit 266
11:00am -12:00pm – Rebekah Ann Curtis
12:30pm-1:30pm – Tai Shan
2:00pm-3:00pm – Tobias The Owl
3:30pm-4:30 pm – Lord Knapp
5:00pm-6:00pm – Heartbreaker
6:30pm-8:00pm – Electric Soul Society
8:30pm-10:00pm – Arcade Cowboys
Sunday, July 31
11:00am-12:00pm – Raveis Kole
12:30pm-1:30pm – The Replayzmentz
2:00pm-3:00 =- Fathom County
3:30pm-4:30pm – Modern Day Poets
5:00pm-6:00pm – Enemy Within
6:30pm-7:30pm – Alien Probe
8pm – Guitar Drawing
If your looking for an older celebration, this has got to be Whatcom County’s oldest event, The 121st annual Old Settlers Picnic, featuring activities from Thursday, July 28, to Sunday, July 31, in downtown Ferndale and Pioneer Park. Celebrating the rich history of the area and the great people that call it home, the Picnic features events like Live Music, a Fun Run/Walk, a Parades, a Classic Car Show, and local Food & Craft vendors. The main events are the Junior Parade starting at Fourth Avenue and Main Street at 6 p.m. Friday and the Grand Parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, starting at Third Avenue and Washington Street and continuing on Third to Main Street and finally First Avenue to Pioneer Park.
Another oldie is the 48th annual Children’s Craft Fair. It is an open-air market with homemade items such as jewelry and artwork with young vendors age 13 and younger from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, July 29, on the lawn behind the Bellingham Public Library, 210 Central Ave.
For all of you dog lovers there is the 8th Annual Paws and Claws Expo at Bloedel Donovon Park Sun, Jul 31 at 10am – 3pm It is a family friendly, dog-friendly day of fun hosted by the Alternative Humane Society.There will be a raffle with all sorts of amazing prizes, as well as games, food vendors, helpful demonstrations for you and your furry friend, and of course loads of dogs!
This event is free to the public, thanks to generous sponsors and vendors.
If you want to sponsor an adoptable AHS dog for simply $25 during the Strut Our Mutt portion of the day, you’ll find the appropriate form on their website!