Put on your red, white and blue and prepare to be festive. July 4, 2018 is packed with fun things to do in Bellingham and Whatcom County. View parades, classic cars, and baseball. Enjoy old-time games, outdoor music, craft beer, delicious BBQ and fireworks by land and sea, while you celebrate Independence Day in style.

Blaine

Fourth of July with Semiahmoo Resort, Golf and Spa

Enjoy a special celebration on the Fourth of July at Semiahmoo, complete with family-friendly beachside activities including lawn games, arts and crafts, face painting, plus live music and our Seaside Sizzle, the ultimate beach barbecue experience. At nightfall, turn your eyes across the way and enjoy the fireworks put on by the City of Blaine.

• 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  Fourth of July activities including face painting, crafts, and lawn games.
• noon to 4:30 p.m.
  A la carte food options such as hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, and ice cream plus an outdoor bar with soda, Chateau Ste. Michelle wine, beer, and cocktails.
• 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  Seaside Sizzle beach barbecue featuring live music, games, and delicious food. For tickets, please call 360-318-2028 or purchase online.

Photo courtesy of Semiahmoo Resort, Golf and Spa

Blaine’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration

On the U.S. border, Blaine’s Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration is a salute to hometown Americana. Festivities take place on the streets of downtown Blaine, including:

• a pancake breakfast (8 – 11 a.m.),
• a classic car show and shine (8 a.m. – 3 p.m.),
• street fair with live music, food and craft vendors (10 a.m.- 5 p.m.),
• a parade through downtown on Peace Portal Drive (noon – 1:30 p.m.),
• Historic Plover foot-ferry rides on Drayton Harbor (noon – 8 p.m.),
• Fireworks over Drayton Harbor at dusk (about 10:15 p.m.)

Bellingham

Bellingham Bells Baseball

What’s more American than a trip to the ballpark on the 4th of July? This year the Bellingham Bells, take on Canadian rivals the Victoria HarbourCats. Start time is 12:05 at Joe Martin Field in Bellingham. Tickets are $7 general admission, which includes the first base bleachers, or $10 for grandstand seats.

Grab a brat and a beer, let the kids run the infield with Dinger the mascot, and sing the 7th inning stretch. It’s a great time for the whole family. And the 2018 Bells have already clinched a playoff spot!

Haggen 4th of July Celebration

Bellingham’s traditional event is the Haggen 4th of July Celebration, which takes place at Zuanich Point Park, surrounded by water on three sides, with incredible views of Bellingham Bay and the city. The fun is provided by Haggen Northwest Fresh, Bellingham Regional of Commerce and Industry and the Port of Bellingham. Festivities begin at 2 p.m. and continue all day, including:

• 2pm-6pm – Kid Zone
• 2pm-10pm- Vendor Booths
• 2:15pm-10:30pm – Live Music
• 2pm-10pm- Beer Garden
• 10:30 pm- Fireworks

Live Music Schedule

• 2:15 pm Bellingham Youth Jazz Band
• 4:00 pm Chris Eger Band
• 6:30 pm Baby Cakes
• 9:00 pm Whiskey Fever

4th of July Fireworks / Credit: Peter James Photography

Fourth of July Dinner Cruises

Some of the best seats for viewing fireworks are actually on the water. Special dinner cruises are offered by the Schooner Zodiac and San Juan Cruises. Both trips will end with fireworks viewing in Bellingham Bay.

Blues, Brews and BBQ

Hotel Bellwether will host its Blues, Brews and BBQ on its waterfront terrace July 4. Leading up to the Bellingham Bay fireworks show, the Lighthouse Bar & Grill will host a barbeque from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. and the talented Atlantics will provide live music from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Come early to get a great spot for fireworks viewing at 10:30 p.m. Admission on fourth of July is $5. The band starts at 7 p.m.

Lynden

BBQ and Truck Meet

Beer lovers should also note that Overflow Taps in Lynden will host an all-day BBQ and Truck Meet on July 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a BBQ cook-off and live music and outdoor beer garden.

For more ideas see our online events calendar.

Have fun. And be safe!