More Than Just a Festival
Bellingham SeaFeast Inspires Stewardship and Connection Year-Round
Celebrating the Sea and Sustaining the Future
Bellingham SeaFeast is dedicated to building community around our working waterfront, maritime culture, sustainable seafood, and ocean conservation. Our free, two-day flagship festival welcomes local residents, neighbors from across the Puget Sound and ocean-lovers from far and wide to celebrate our shared maritime heritage through engaging cultural experiences that foster connection and understanding.
Beyond the festival, Bellingham SeaFeast hosts year-round programs and events, including seafood cooking demonstrations, teaching ocean conservation in local schools, organizing community beach cleanups, and more. Through these efforts, we aim to strengthen community ties across the region and inspire stewardship of our natural resources to ensure they are here for generations to come.
The festival was founded eight years ago to highlight the vital role our waterfront plays in the local economy, culture, and environment - a mission we continue today.
A Brief History of Bellingham SeaFeast
Established in 2016, Bellingham SeaFeast was conceived to celebrate Bellingham's rich maritime heritage and its vital working waterfront. The inaugural event, funded by a three-year seed grant from the City of Bellingham, was spearheaded by founder Deb Granger, a passionate advocate for Whatcom County’s maritime industry.
The festival's early years featured a one-day event that brought together local fishers, seafood enthusiasts, and community members to honor the region's maritime culture. Over time, Bellingham SeaFeast expanded into a two-day festival, attracting thousands of attendees to Squalicum Harbor. The event showcases a diverse array of seafood experiences, including oysters on the half-shell and salmon grilled by members of the Lummi Nation. Beyond culinary delights, the festival features musical performances, art displays, boat tours, and interactive maritime exhibits, fostering connections among diverse community groups.
In 2022, Kevin Coleman took on the role of Executive Director, bringing renewed energy and vision to the organization. Under his leadership, Bellingham SeaFeast has continued to grow their festival attendance and strengthen their community connections. Coleman has emphasized building relationships with local Tribes, including the Lummi Nation, Nooksack, and Swinomish Tribes, to enrich the festival's cultural offerings and promote inclusivity.
Beyond the annual festival, Bellingham SeaFeast has evolved into a year-round initiative dedicated to ocean conservation, education, and community engagement. Programs such as the Keep It Simple Seafood (KISS) series offer cooking tips, how-to videos with local chefs and a free cooking demo each month at Bellingham Dockside Market, while The Community Net Project connects diverse communities with creative, hands-on activities with a focus on ocean conservation and the Blue Schools program offers maritime education in local classrooms. Bellingham SeaFeast also hosts a monthly podcast, Love Your Waterfront, on KMRE 88.3 with The Working Waterfront Coalition of Whatcom County where they discuss happenings and updates on Whatcom’s waterfront.
Bellingham SeaFeast continues to honor its mission of celebrating the maritime heritage of Whatcom County, supporting the local seafood industry, and fostering community connections. The festival and its associated programs serve as a testament to the enduring importance of Bellingham's working waterfront and the collaborative spirit of its community.
