First Annual “Day on the Bay” Will Celebrate Bellingham’s Waterfront

On September 28, Day on the Bay will invite the community to explore and engage with Bellingham’s active waterfront. Day on the Bay is a joint collaboration with Sustainable Connections’ Eat Local Month, Bellingham SeaFeast, and Working Waterfront Coalition of Whatcom County. This free, self-guided tour encourages folks to stop at more than 12 locations and local businesses along Bellingham Bay on Saturday, September 28 from 10am-4pm. This event aims to shine a light on the vibrant and diverse maritime heritage that shapes our community, and to foster a deeper appreciation for the hardworking individuals and innovative enterprises that sustain Bellingham Bay.

“Since its inception in 2016, Bellingham SeaFeast’s mission is to highlight Bellingham’s rich maritime culture and working waterfront through our annual fall festival. We’re so thrilled to be able to partner with Eat Local Month’s Seafood Week to bring more maritime programming to our community in addition to SeaFeast on October 5 & 6, 2024,” says Kevin Coleman, Bellingham SeaFeast’s Executive Director.

“Our local seafood industry plays a major role in the food economy of our region. As we celebrate September Eat Local Month and the folks behind the food we eat, we are excited to collaborate with SeaFeast and Working Waterfront Coalition to share the stories of local fishermen and the businesses that support their work. Day on the Bay is a chance to learn more about our waterfront community and highlight Bellingham’s unique location on the Salish Sea,” shares Jessica Gillis, Food and Farming Program Manager at Sustainable Connections.

Explore, engage, and celebrate Bellingham’s rich maritime heritage. Meet local fishing families and tour their boats, explore the biodiversity of the Salish Sea, learn how to tie knots, hear from local authors in the seafood and fishing communities, try a new water sport, and more! Partnering organizations and businesses include Bellingham Cold Storage, Dragonfly Kayak Tours, Alaska Sea Adventures, LFS Marine, U.S. Coast Guard, Bellingham Youth Sailing, Marine Life Center, Seattle Marine Supply, Gabriel’s Art Kids, RE Sources, Village Books, Community Boating Center, Whatcom Maritime Heritage Museum, and more. This is a free self-guided tour; however, some activities are paid and require advance ticket purchase. To see all tour events and find links to register, visit www.dayonthebay.org.

What: Day on the Bay Self-Guided Tour

When: Saturday, September 28, 10am-4pm

Tour locations: Along Bellingham Bay

Cost: Free self-guided tour, some activities require payment

More info: www.dayonthebay.org

We acknowledge that Whatcom County is located on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples. They cared for the lands that included what we’d call the Puget Sound region, Vancouver Island and British Columbia since time immemorial. This gives us the great obligation and opportunity to learn how to care for our surrounding areas and all the natural and human resources we require to live. We express our deepest respect and gratitude for our indigenous neighbors, the Lummi Nation and Nooksack Tribe, for their enduring care and protection of our shared lands and waterways.