Fairhaven Festival

... the 8th leg of the Ski to Sea Race

Sunday, May 24, 2009, from 10 am to 8 pm

Ski to Sea Race Ends in Fairhaven - at the Fairhaven Festival. Each year on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend in Bellingham, Washington, there is a race down the snows of Mt Baker, down the mountain highway, down the Nooksack River and across Bellingham Bay to finish on the shores of Fairhaven. And here we have one big fun festival.

For Ski to Sea Race info, see the Official Ski to Sea Race website.

Info for food and craft vendors and for Non-Profits, see below.

Festival schedule

The finish for the annual and legendary Ski to Sea Race is celebrated in the heart of Fairhaven with an ALL-DAY party for all ages and tastes, featuring live music, children's fun, a beer garden, arts and craft vendors, ethnic foods and much more! You can also stop in at your favorite Fairhaven businesses to shop, and for lunch or dinner.

From downtown Fairhaven, you can walk down to Fairhaven's Marine Park to watch the kayakers come in off Bellingham Bay for the last leg of the race and the ringing of the bell. At the park you'll find race information, photos, and a number of exhibitors, including some great Fairhaven businesses

Parking can be a challenge at this event, so plan to come early to park and enjoy a full day of it. Or... to make things even easier, you can park at WWU and catch the frequent shuttle to the festivities. Starting at 11:30 am a bus leaves every 15 minutes from the 'C' parking lot (West College Way and Bill McDonald Parkway) on the south end of campus and returns from Fairhaven just as often up to 8:30 pm. Free parking at the campus and 75 cents fee for the 5 minute ride. The stop in Fairhaven is at 12th and McKenzie, within one block of the party. It really works. Go Green! Compliments of Old Fairhaven Association, Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce, WTA, and WWU

You can download an easy to print Park & Ride Map as a pdf file.

10 am - it all begins. 20 food vendors and 60+ craft vendors - pony rides, non-profits on the Village Green. Goes till 8 pm.

Noon - music starts on the stage near the beer garden.
Noon - the beer garden serves from now till 6 pm.
Noon - music on the Village Green stage.

Musical and other stage performances include... the Mhuri Marimba Band, Squalicum High School Jazz Ensemble, What the Chelm, Fourth Corner International Folk Dancers, Sehome High School Choir, Bellingham High School Showstoppers Chorus, and Brother Dalton's Euphonic Elixir. Info: 756-1220.

Vendors - we welcome you

All welcome. Music, Great Food, Arts & Crafts Booths, Beer Garden
Non-Profits groups for Village Green see below.

Vendor Festival Applications for 2009
New and returning - apply now for the 2009 festival.

Here is everything you need to apply for a vending space at the May 24th, 2009 Fairhaven Festival - where the Ski to Sea Race ends. The festival is held in conjunction with Bellingham's "Ski to Sea" race and typically hosts 35,000 visitors rain or shine. The Old Fairhaven Association, a non-profit organization, sponsors the festival.

These vendor applications are in easy to print PDF files - and each includes a cover sheet invitation letter.
(Note: The free Adobe PDF reader is availabe, if you do not have it.)

Retail/Craft Vendor Application - for non-food vending - 2 page pdf file

Food Vendor Application - 3 page pdf file

Health Permit Information and Application Link (see paragraph 2):
http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/health/environmental/food_safety/temp_events.jsp

Washington State Vendor Information Form (required for applications that exceed $200):
http://dor.wa.gov/Docs/forms/Misc/VendorInfoForm.pdf

Mail applications to:
Old Fairhaven Association
1106 Harris Ave, # 313
Bellingham, WA 98225
We look forward to having you as part of our festival.


If you prefer to receive these forms by US mail, then contact the festival manager, Anna Williams.

Email: or
Phone: 360 961-6749

You will need to provide her with:
Your Name
Business Name
Craft / Product / Service
Complete Mailing Address
Email address
Telephone number
Please first try these easy to download and print online pdf files

Non-Profits - Welcome to the Village Green