Community News

Working Waterfront Coalition of Whatcom County’s 8th annual Tide-to-Table Dinner celebrates the Salish Sea and everyone who works in, on, and around our waters! This year, you're cordially invited to their annual dinner and celebration, happening Saturday, April 25th at 5:30pm at the Bellingham Yacht Club

Get ready to rock the yacht at the Bellingham Yacht Club and cozy up to a delicious seafood boil by Drayton Harbor Oyster Company. They'll have hors d'oeuvres by local Bellingham Dockside Market vendors, drinks and Yacht-Rock music jamming as you peruse the exciting dessert dash confections from across Whatcom County, and the live auction items that will go to lucky bidders during the dinner. You'll feast the Salish Sea, and support our working waterfronts at the same time. Like the appetizers? 

This event benefits the Working Waterfront Coalition, a member-based organization, governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors and several working committees, all working on behalf of all our waterfront businesses and interests to ensure that our region’s waterfronts remain accessible to the marine trades that helped build our region, our culture, and our heritage.

Along with an exciting auction for the evening, we will also raise our paddle to the Working Waterfront Foundation that addresses members’ need for a trained workforce so they can sustain and expand their businesses. The Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship Programs, both state-registered, allow apprentices to receive living wages while training and studying in the marine technician field. Proceeds from the Raise-the-Paddle portion of the evening directly support these comprehensive workforce training programs, and other work the Foundation does.

Tickets and information are available online. 

Big news from our friends at Positively Groundfish: Introducing Catch+Create—a new accelerator program fueling the next wave of groundfish innovation!

They’re supporting 5 early-stage startups in turning bold seafood ideas—think canned fish, snacks, frozen meals, even pet food—into market-ready products. The 6-month program includes expert mentorship, a $20K development stipend, and a $30K marketing launch package. Applications open August 4.

Dragonfly Kayak Tours programs are filling up fast! Don't miss out on their Coastal Voyage Teen Camp for a unique and enriching experience designed to captivate young minds ages 14-17 and create lasting memories. This program is meticulously crafted to offer a perfect blend of adventure, learning, and fun. Program highlights include kayak camping, outdoor survival and team building.

Bellingham Sailing Foundation has the permits to build a launch ramp!

The Bellingham Sailing Foundation was founded over 12 years ago with the sole purpose to make Youth Sailing more accessible for the kids of Whatcom County. The way we do this is by improving infrastructure like building docks and funding purchase of boats and equipment. In addition, we support funding programs like Learn to Sail and school sailing teams.

We now have all the permits to build a launch ramp next to the Youth Sailing dock, currently located at Zuanich Park, that will separate small sailboats from the power boat ramp and eliminate the need to sail through the harbor to get to the bay. This will make it safer for the kids and reduce the congestion on the powerboat ramps. It will also help with kayak launching at the famous Ski to Sea Race, a real win win for all! The ramp will also be accessible by the general public, so you would be able to have an easy and safe place to launch your kayak, paddleboard or other small watercraft directly from Zuanich Park.

We are working with the Port of Bellingham for funding this project and have set up a GoFundMe page to help with the cost. This is a legacy project that will serve Whatcom county for years to come. It's simple—we have a great body of water but lack the access to the water and this launch ramp will help immensely with the goal of making Bellingham a focal point for small wind and human powered craft.

Want to learn more about getting on the water? Be sure to check out our friends at the Community Boating Center and see what they have in store this year for everyone.

Join Bellingham Dockside Market on the 1st and 3rd Saturday, 10am-2pm, of each month at Fisherman's Pavilion in Squalicum Harbor for seafood straight from the fishing families that caught it. Dockside accepts EBT payments.

Love Your Waterfront on KMRE 88.3FM is your gateway to all the wonderful aspects of Whatcom County’s waterfronts: the history, the thriving businesses, and the unique art and culture of the Salish Sea that make this an extraordinary place to live. The waterfronts of Whatcom County are also part of the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area, as designated by Congress and the National Park Service.

Love Your Waterfront Quest Passport Sign up for FREE and learn more about where to go on your waterfront.

Learn more about what’s happening on the waterfront with our partners at Working Waterfront Coalition of Whatcom County.

Be sure to keep up to date with what’s happening around town with our friends at Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism!