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Flame Lighting Kicks off Summer Solstice Gallery WalkFriday, June 19, 2009)
The clouds parted and a crowd gathered on the Fairhaven Village Green in front of Village Books and the Colophon Cafe to watch Dirty Dan and the flame lighting ceremony that kicked off the Fairhaven Summer Solstice Gallery Walk Friday night. District visitors crowded restaurants and shops, visited with artists and viewed their work during the evening event. Dirty Dan Fan Awaits Solstice CeremonyFriday, June 19, 2009)
Dirty Dan Harris (aka Jim Rich) talks to 6 year-old Ria on his namesake’s statue before the Fairhaven Summer Solstice opening ceremonies on the Fairhaven Village Green. Summer concerts on the Village GreenSunday, June 14, 2009)
Music on the Village Green with comfortable seating under the pergola. Today had an older crowd as local singer Arthur Adler sang songs in tribute to Frank Sinatra. The Northern Lights Jazz Orchestra provided the backup - and some really stunning sounds of their own. Yah, I’m older. But there were younger folks there enjoying the smooth jazz style of the concert - just check the left side of the photo. Our Village Green is now starting a seventh year as our prime venue in Fairhaven. Each year has brought a more crowded schedule of music, plays, events and movies. Now, most every weekend has some surprise. And we have a summer of fun stuff booked already. Check the Events calendar on this website and come on down to Fairhaven. Aside from enjoying an event on the Green, you have great choices in food at over 20 places - cupcakes, gelato, fish & chips, steakhouse, asian, Thai, Italian, Mexican, deli - and more. We invite you down. Farmers Market on the Village GreenWednesday, June 3, 2009)
Every Wednesday from noon till 5 pm. As mellow an experience as you can find in the Pacific Northwest is visiting the Farmer’s Market on the Fairhaven Village Green. Live acoustic music, great choices in fresh foods and the beauty of the Green. Kids having fun. Adults enjoying shopping. Today was the first day and there were a record number of vendors - with tents for all those who could not fit under the pergola. We invite you to visit. It is every Wednesday till the last market on September 30. You can visit the Bellingham Farmers Market website for much more information about the Fairhaven Wednesday market and the Downtown Saturday market. Free Boating Day introduces many to BaySaturday, May 30, 2009)
People came down all day long to enjoy free kayaking, sailing and rowing at the Community Boating Center on the Fairhaven waterfront. Many took advantage of the day to try going out on Bellingham Bay for the first time. There were plenty of instructors onhand and the weather was perfect.
It went beyond just free boating. Rustic Coffee provided coffee and Mallard Ice Cream from downtown Bellingham provided ice cream. Until both ran out. Deborah, in the white hat looking over information with a participant, said this year was double the number of folks who came last year. Each year the Center provides free boating on the last Saturday in May. We invite you to check them out and try boating most any day of the summer. The Bay is the back door to Fairhaven and we sometimes forget how fantastic it is. Free boating Saturday at Community Boating CenterFriday, May 29, 2009)
Really. Yes, really. The Community Boating Center on the Fairhaven waterfront is providing a day of free boating. Kayaks - as shown above - sailboats and row boats. With free instruction. Really. They have instructors and everything ready for you. Just show up. And that is the secret. No phone reservations. You need to show up and they will help you get boating. Call it enlightened marketing. Call it community spirited. They want to give locals a chance to try boating from their facility. Tip Johnson started the Fairhaven Boatworks over 20 years ago. It has now passed to a group dedicated to continuing what Tip started but with a non-profit cover. This is the perfect place to store a hand launched craft - scull, kayak, light sailboat - and enjoy literally year round boating. So - old or young. Experienced or first time. Show up Saturday between 9 am and 5 pm and enjoy their hospitality. We hear there will also be some neat snacks and beverages available. Great weather and huge crowd for FestivalMonday, May 25, 2009)
A photo gallery of the festival is posted for your enjoyment. Perfect weather all day long - and for the annual It All Ends in Fairhaven at the Fairhaven Festival. What a party. A record crowd attended the fun, food, music and craft fair in Fairhaven today. It started at 10 this morning and at 8 this evening finally quieted down. Above is the “Death by Radio” performing near the beer garden and food vendors. Below is the Squalicum High School Band performing on the Village Green - and also a very appreciative audience.
And then the food. There were 24 food vendors but we want to show you one of our local shop owner’s and what she did. Katie of Katie’s Cupcakes put a table of her wares out on the sidewalk in front of her shop - and cleaned up. She had free samples - and that helped sales.
A photo gallery of the festival is posted for your enjoyment. Park & Ride great choice for FestivalFriday, May 22, 2009)
On Sunday, WTA buses leave every 15 minutes each way from 11:30 am until 8:30 pm during the Fairhaven Festival - the It All Ends In Fairhaven Festival after the Ski to Sea race. You can download the above easy to print map as a pdf file. Yes, two maps to the page. (give one to a friend) Or, if you just need a glance to know where to park, click the image. Bus fare is 75 cents each way. Yes, WTA passes are valid. Download the Park & Ride Maps. As you follow the map, you will see signs along the streets guiding you to the parking lot. Want to avoid having to hike several blocks uphill to get back to your car on Sunday after the Festival? WWU provides free parking in their ‘C’ lot on 21st Street. WTA puts extra buses on that run which takes only 5 minutes to Fairhaven. You get dropped off at 12th and McKenzie - in front of the Whidbey Island Bank in the historic Waldron building - just a short block from the center of the Festival down at 11th and McKenzie. This service is organized by the Old Fairhaven Association with support from the Chamber of Commerce. This is the 6th year of this service and it has been improved each year so it really works fine. We invite you to take advantage of it. Open today - Bay to Baker Trading CompanyThursday, May 21, 2009)
Outdoor recreation accessories for hikers, kayakers, sailors and campers has its own shop and it opened this morning in Fairhaven. Bay to Baker Trading Company is where Mud In Your Eye Pottery was on Harris Avenue - just below 10th Street. Here store manager, Bennett Bursick, and owner, Tina Schwindt, watch their new sign being hung this morning. Yep, it is the old Mud in your Eye sign with new lettering - recycled in the best of practice. Up on the ladder, John is doing the heavy work while Spencer, foot only showing, connects the hangers. CDI signs did the rehab and change of the old sign. The new shop carries a lot of fun stuff, from T-shirts to sandals, hiking shorts, maps, hats and caps, etc. They are still stocking up on whatever is often used and reused for the many outdoor activities we have surrounding us in Fairhaven. They are open till 7 pm every night except Sunday, when it is till 6 pm. If you are planning a hike or outdoor venture, stop by the the Trading Company and check for any last minute gear you may want. Trail maintenance by Village Books volunteersSaturday, May 16, 2009)
This photo is not what one might call “exciting” but it illustrates something that is very much part of Fairhaven. Community spirit. Here Charissa of Bellingham Parks Department gives a briefing on weeding around the small bushes recently planted along the trail. The stretch of the South Bay Trail from Douglas Avenue to Mill Avenue is maintained by volunteers of Village Books. They have been maintaining this for several years. Yes, that is Chuck back there - and he also spent much time weeding. Community involvemnet helps Fairhaven to be a pleasant place to visit. We invite you down. Alilo Choir at Firehouse this eveningFriday, May 15, 2009)
Note - Saturday morning: The choir event was last night. Check the Events page for the many more events at the Firehouse, including this evening. This photo will stay up till early afternoon when we have a new photo scheduled. The Firehouse Performing Arts Center is a jewel of a place in Fairhaven. It is well used by our south side community for dance, meetings, plays and music. Friday evening - this evening - the Alilo women’s a capella choir will be singing. The event starts at 7:30 pm and a $10 donation is appreciated. They will be singing ancient music from Bulgaria, Bosnia, Georgia, Latvia, Russia and more. The Firehouse is at 1314 Harris Avenue, just a couple blocks uphill from the historic district. If you have not been to an event there, you are missing one of the fine experiences that Fairhaven offers you. This old south side fire station has been totally renovated into a very beautiful performance facility. And many of us enjoy the coffee shop during the daytimes. We invite you down to enjoy this concert. Fun at Girls Night Out on Thursday eveningFriday, May 8, 2009)
Pink was the color of the evening. The bra parade was a symbolic expression for support of breast cancer research. The ladies - the girls - had a lot of fun Thursday evening. Here, Pamela Felke, one of the organizers of the evening, holds the megaphone. A gallery of 20 photos is now posted. Most are taken by the Duclos Studios II of Bellingham who provided photos for posting here and your enjoyment. We thank them and invite you to visit the Duclos Studios II website. Over 180 photos are now posted at the Duclos Studios II special Events page. Click the button for the Girls Night Out at the top right. You can buy prints online from them. Girls Night Out a fun evening for a causeThursday, May 7, 2009)
The Atrium at Finnegan’s Alley was alive all evening long. Here a group of A Capella singers provides a few minutes of enjoyment. The Atrium had a silent auction and many displays that dealt with women’s interests. The event started at 5 pm and continued till 10 pm. The profits all go to cancer research at St Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham. This was the 4th annual event and is held each year on the Thursday evening before Mother’s Day.
These girls had a lot of fun visiting restaurants around the district with a song at each. They are friends from Whatcom County who enjoy A Capella singing. Their fearless leader Jody, on the far right, took them on a fun venture this evening to the delight of all.
Friends enjoy the evening at The Big Fat Fish Co. At restaurants all over Fairhaven this scene was repeated. Girls Night Out off to sunny startThursday, May 7, 2009)
The sun is out in Fairhaven this evening - and the registration desk at the annual benefit for cancer research is off to a good start. The event continues to nearly 10 pm this evening. It started at 5 pm. Here is the registration table in front of The Big Fat Fish Co. restaurant. Passports can be gotten here. As we post this photo at 6 pm, there is plenty of time to come down and enjoy the evening - and it is all for a good cause.
Raffle tickets are being sold throughout the historic district this evening. Here, Sandy signs her name to one she is buying from Bryant. There are four great raffle baskets to be drawn for later this evening - and you do not have to be there to win. Click the ad on the left of this page to read about the raffle prizes. A fun evening is ahead. Skylark’s Cafe wins Chowder CookoffThursday, April 30, 2009)
Don White, owner and head chef of Skylark’s Hidden Cafe, serves up a taste of his award winning classic chowder at last weekend’s Chuckanut Chowder Cookoff. His clam chowder was the People’s Choice Winner - as more people voted his chowder the best of the 18 vendors entered. Lets see, that make three 1st place finishes for Don over the past four years. The other winners were: People’s Choice Runner Up: Chuckanut Brewery of downtown Bellingham A record number of people attended this year’s chowder contest held during the Dirty Dan Days Seafood Festival last Saturday and Sunday. Four Old Fairhaven Association board members deserve our thanks and appreciation for their months of planning and work to make it such a success. Gallery of festival photos is now postedSunday, April 26, 2009
In addition to the photos on this page, we have two photo galleries. Piano Race caps a great festivalSunday, April 26, 2009)
At the ready, in the starting gate, these four thoroughbred racing pianos are just moments from their roaring rumble up Harris Avenue. A member of the Fairhaven Runners team positions their piano - in line with the other three. On the far left is the Fairhaven Market entry, then the baby grand is the WWU Viking Union racer, then Fairhaven Runners and at the far end is the Colophon Cafe with their holstein cow stuffed mascot firmly attached. You think this is goofy? You should watch the race. Maybe you did. At the start, two members - of the team of four - run the two blocks downhill from the finish line. Got that? Then all four start pushing and pulling their pianos uphill. Next photo, please.
From behind, you can see the flying blue capes of the Viking Union team going just as fast as they can uphill with their piano. Pianos are heavy. And look at the crowd. This race started four years ago with a dozen of us out there and two pianos. Up at 10th Street crossing is the finish line. You get the idea?
Fairhaven Runners team is the winner. They got a slight head start from a faster pair of downhill runners. (See photo gallery for that photo) Where did all this start? We learned that Dirty Dan Harris, upon leaving Fairhaven forever, rolled his piano down Harris Avenue and into the bay. The reason had to do with non payment from the buyer and Dan’s not being able to take the piano onboard the ship to Los Angeles. Yep, that is our official Dirty Dan on the left there. Anyway, we give credit to Doug Borneman for nursing this fine race into a more fun event each year. A Photo Gallery with 36 photos of Sunday’s Chowder Cookoff and Piano Race is posted. Festival continues today, SundaySunday, April 26, 2009
With clear skies this morning, today promises to be a perfect day on the Village Green. Live music starts at noon and the Chuckanut Chowder Cookoff goes from 2 pm to 4 pm. A record 19 restaurants have entered. A $10 ticket entitles you to a taste of each - or as many as you want - and a bowl of the one you judge to be the best. All types of chowders will be entered. Start at 2 pm to guarantee you taste as many as you want. Great tastes. At 4:15 pm is the piano race - and you have to see it to believe it. Great fun. A Photo Gallery with 35 photos of Saturday’s fun is posted. Kids cupcake eating contest a huge hitSaturday, April 25, 2009)
A lot of fun contests today with prized donated by Fairhaven business owners. And the event that drew the biggest crowd and the most cheers was - the kids cupcake eating contest, shown above. Katies Cupcakes donated the mini-cakes - 6 for each contestant - and provided the prizes - including the winner names on a big trophy that will be in their shop. Oh, there was an adult contest - with 10 full sized cupcakes per contestant - and we will be posting those photos up in a gallery within an hour. And we have more of the kids contest also. And all the other fun today - the first of two days of family fun on the Village Green. Who won? It was a tie of the three middle contestants. But those younger ones gave it their best. A fun time. Tomorrow, Sunday, is the Chowder Cookoff with 19 restaurants competing and then the world’s only piano race at 4:15 pm. Check the schedule - ad link to the upper left - for all the events. A Photo Gallery with 35 photos of Saturday’s fun is posted. Salmon Toss at Dirty Dan DaysSaturday, April 25, 2009)
Salmon toss contest - with protective plastic bags. An annual event at Dirty Dan Festival, with contestants tossing a good 8 pound salmon to their partner. Drop the toss and the team is eliminated. After each toss, the contestants take a step back for the next toss. And, you guessed it, last team actually catching the toss is the winner. Here we are down to three teams from a beginning six. I near ones are tossing to the far ones. All in good fun and for prizes donated by Fairhaven merchants. The team on the left won. There were three contests in all, each starting with six teams. A lot of fun for contestants and spectators.
This one young contestant had a time just getting her salmon off the grass. Thought you would enjoy. Slippery fellows, they are.
And finally, here are the experts in their semi-final toss. These are the final two teams from a start of six. On this toss, both caught their fish. On the toss back, the team on the left won with the only catch. That is our MC, Doug Borneman, on the stage at the left with the microphone. Doug is the co-chair of the festival with Stephanie Johnson. Dirty Dan Days - today and SundaySaturday, April 25, 2009)
Fish filet contest - with Pacific Rock fish. Three master filleters compete to finish their 10 fish first. And then the fillets go into fish tacos for sale to all at the festival. See photo below. Oh, the winner is the guy in the middle - Adrian of Vis Seafoods out on James Street. Great seafood store. Yes, it is cloudy, but the fun has already started on the Village Green and will continue till the cupcake eating contest at 5 pm. Fun - for old and young - grandparents to children. Music - food - games and contests. We celebrate Fairhaven’s founding in 1883 by Dan Harris. The locally owned shops and restaurants in the historic district are all open and ready to provide you with our special warm service. And there is fun there also. Artwood Gallery on Harris Avenue has a whole table of hand made wooden pieces that are marked down to $18.83 each. Check them out for a unique gift or something for yourself. Click the little ad in the upper left column labeled “Dirty Dan Days Seafood Festival” for a full schedule of events.
Lots of great food on the Village Green today. Here Stephanie, the president of the Old Fairhaven Association and co-chair of the festival, serves a fish taco. Several restaurants have booths and are serving up great festival food - easy to eat while standing. Sorellos with filled crepes and Avenue Bread a gumbo are two examples. More photos will be posted later today. Kids love the Village Green - and friendly dogsTuesday, April 21, 2009)
Somewhere in there is a dog named Charlie who is getting a lot of loving pets from the kids. Jan, a Fairhaven business owner and dog’s owner, enjoys the moment. Our Village Green is a great place for people of all ages - and pets. These kids are a school class from Clear Lake who came up to Fairhaven to paint pottery at CreaTiviTea, have lunch on the Green and then off to a show at the planetarium at Western Washington University. A day of learning and fun. We invite you to visit Fairhaven and enjoy all that we have here. Shopping, of course - but also lots else to discover and enjoy. Fairhaven is for fun and discovering that fun by walking. Always free parking and always open parking spaces all around the edges of the historic core on McKenzie Street, 9th Street, and the pit parking lot next to Mill Avenue. Fairhaven Library amidst the Spring BlossomsSunday, April 12, 2009)
Our much treasured and much used Fairhaven Library is set amidst beautiful trees and now is the week when the ornamental plum blossoms are at their best. The library building dates back to 1904 and is an original Carnegie Library, built on land donated by the Larrabee family. It has a very well used children’s area with tables sized down for kids and all within direct sight of the librarian’s desk. Over the past 15 years, the Friends of the Fairhaven Library have provided new craftsman style tables and chairs for the adult area, renovated both fireplaces, purchased many specialty shelves and in general made the interior more attractive and enjoyable to use as a library. All with the generous help of residents from all six south side neighborhoods. This summer, the cracking and deteriorating outer sheath of stucco will be stripped off and a new protective stucco applied. The building will close for four months. We fully expect there will be a temporary library and will keep you updated. I thank Marla for this beautiful photo she took during one of the sun breaks on Saturday afternoon. A Toast to Spring in FairhavenTuesday, April 7, 2009)
Ice cream cones on a warm spring day. Dietrich, on the left, and Andrew toast to - well, who knows. The fine weather with spring finally here, maybe. The temperatures were into the 60s today for the third day in a row. We all loved it. Ice cream cones are available at several places in Fairhaven, most notably at the Colophon Cafe and the Fairhaven Fish & Chips - shown behind the guys. The weather will be cooling off during the rest of this week, but Fairhaven will remain alive with the energy of spring finally here. We invite you to visit and enjoy. |
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