Weathering the Storm

Dear Bellingham SeaFeast Community,

Today brings the announcement we have been hoping to prevent, but alas, the wind is not in our favor for our annual September festival. The Bellingham SeaFeast board and staff have determined that the 2020 festival cannot proceed on September 19 & 20 as originally planned. The unknowns of the ongoing public health crisis, and astounding economic impacts, make it impossible to plan a festival as extensive as we have shared with you in years past.

We know this announcement is yet another disappointment this season, and it does not reflect the continuing work of our industrious and vibrant waterfront community. We are sad we cannot have a full festival--after all, who will dance with Crabby? However, we plan to continue a sustainable festival next year by taking the right steps now to allow for a strong return in 2021 when we can properly celebrate with you on the shores of Bellingham Bay.

Fear not! We are committed to fulfilling the mission of Bellingham SeaFeast with activities appropriate for the circumstances that exist in September. We already have several ideas and conversations underway to make that a reality. While we all reshape aspects of our lives, we are also reimagining how Bellingham SeaFeast can be a “Small Feast”, or perhaps, a “Sea Snack” in 2020.

Thank you for following us--on our Instagram, Facebook, and email newsletter--as we develop those plans and share opportunities to support local fishermen and marine industry, make and eat delicious seafood, enjoy our waterfront resources, and celebrate our maritime heritage of Whatcom County. We look forward to bringing the full Bellingham SeaFeast weekend back to Squalicum Harbor next year on September 18 & 19, 2021. We are unbelievably grateful for our partners, especially the City and Port of Bellingham, whose support has allowed this festival to become the best weekend on Bellingham’s waterfront over the past four years.

Stay Salty, Bellingham! We miss you, and we’ll SEA you soon!

Liz, Elma & the SeaFeast Board of Directors

The mission of Bellingham SeaFeast is to celebrate our maritime culture & heritage, thriving working waterfront, enjoyment & conservation of our water resources, commercial fishing & seafood industries and culinary bounty of our corner of the Pacific Northwest.