🐹 The Bee Hive 🐝🐝

Good morning, Bellingham. This is your Friday update from The Hamster Wheel.

Summertime activities are in full swing, so it was tremendously hard to narrow down the list today. Hopefully, there's something for everyone. Have a wonderful weekend my friends!

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

Nature, Community, Sasquatch, UAP

Photos From the Hoods

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Weather Forecast

Friday: 77°F 🌡️ 60°F | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 🌧️ 2% | 💨 WSW 1 to 6 mph

Saturday: 77°F 🌡️ 59°F | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 🌧️ 2% | 💨 SSW 2 to 7 mph

Sunday: 78°F 🌡️ 60°F | ☀️ Sunny | 🌧️ 2% | 💨 SW 1 to 7 mph

Moon Phases

Events, Updates & News Around Town

Get off the Hamster Wheel

Pride IN Bellingham

Bellingham’s Pride Parade and Festival has arrived with events spread throughout the weekend and across Downtown Bellingham. This year’s festivities start tonight with a Friday evening Pride Books and Beer event at Ponderosa Beer & Books from 4 to 7 pm. Saturday will bring a Pride Family Picnic from noon to 4 pm in the Boundary Bay Brewery Garden, and All Ages PRIDE Dance at -HUT- from 3 to 8 pm.

Sunday brings the festival to a grand finale with the Pride Parade, and Downtown Pride Festival, where you’ll find “artisans, community groups, non profits, & businesses celebrating with PRIDE!” Check the schedule for all the details.

Impermanence – Make Art Outside

Local artist and Hamster Wheel reader, Lisa Dailey, emailed earlier this week about a class she’s holding this Sunday called “Art of Impermanence,” inspired by the artist Andy Goldsworthy. Lisa recommends giving Andy a Google if you’ve not bumped into his work before. I couldn’t agree more. His stone hive sculptures inspired several of my nominally successful garden art projects. 😉 

The class starts at the Larrabee State Park Amphitheater at 11 am. “Use natural materials to create patterns and sculptures. Discover the surprising palette of color and texture as we explore both the forest and marine environments.” It sounds like a wonderful way to spend a Sunday. Grab a spot to attend.

In other news…

📽️ Double the fun: two outdoor film nights await! The weather is fine, the kids are out of school, it’s the perfect time to watch a movie with friends and neighbors under the stars.

• The Wild Robot plays at Pioneer Village in Ferndale tonight, July 11th, starting at 9 pm.

• Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone plays at the Fairhaven Village Green tomorrow, July 12th, with music at 7:45 and the movie starting at dusk.

🧶 Bellingham Seafeast will hold a Hands-on Knot Tying Demo this Sunday, July 13th, from 1 to 3 pm at Allied Arts in Bellingham as part of Bellingham Pride weekend.

Stop by to learn how to tie a variety of practical knots commonly used in maritime activities, from securing lines on a boat to creating strong, reliable loops. This interactive demo is great for all ages and skill levels, whether you're a seasoned sailor or just curious about the craft.

⛏️ Volunteer Opportunities This Weekend: There are a few outdoor work parties this weekend.

• Beach Sweep Paddle: A monthly gathering to keep local beaches clean. Paddle to an area and spend some time picking up as much trash as you can. End with a BBQ at the CBC! The best way to practice your sweep stroke is while picking up trash from your kayak with your friends. Details & Registration.

• Haynie Creek: Spend the day with Land Trust Stewardship staff removing invasive plant species to improve habitat at Fenton. The 72-acre Fenton site is located north of Custer and east of Blaine along Valley View Road and is made up of two parcels purchased in 2006 from Ray Fenton. The property serves as a nature reserve and contains a mature mixed forest, a 7-acre field, approximately 1,430 feet of Haynie Creek, a pond that was previously connected to Haynie Creek, and a variety of wildlife including deer, coyote, black bear, cougar, river otter, beaver, bats, hawks, owls, and many other species. Details & Registration.

Garage & Estate Sales

Your Source For Vintage Can Openers

3856 Bancroft Road (Sat 8 am)
Bedroom and living room furniture, lamps, bikes, bike trailer, wall art, baby, children, and adult clothes; baby backpack, dorm fridge, kitchen supplies, luggage, shelving, garden stuff, toys. map.

• 660 Leroy Place, Fri, Sat, Sun 9 am, map

• 238 10th Street, Fri, Sat, 8 am, map

• 1525 Primrose Ct, Fri, Sat, 9 am, map

• 121 Front Street, Fri, Sat, Sun 10 am, map

• 2305 Kenneth Ct., Fri, Sat, 10 am, map

• 3341 Nicole Ln, Sat, 9 am, map

• 8318 Richmond Park Road, Sat, 8 am, map

• 809 W. North, Sat, 9 am, map

• 2515 H St., Sat, 9 am, map

Food & Drink

Hamsters Gotta Eat

Because it’s fun to be a lookie-loo

Crash an Open House

209 E 3rd Street, Everson (Open Sat 12-2 pm)
I have a special affection for mid-century homes. This one's a late-seventies vintage, so on the later end of the mid-century period. But look at that cute house with its side-by-side garage doors and brick façade. Listing.

240 S Forest (Open Sun 12-1:30 pm)
This South Hill Craftsman is huge at 7,050 square feet!! You could house five generations in this home and still have room to spare. 😂 The listing describes two basements. I'm not sure how that works… I might swing by to find out. Listing.

Performance Arts This Week

Dance of The Hamsters

LIVE ARTS & FILM

New Prospect Theatre
Gruesome Playground Injuries | Fri, Sat 7:00 pm, Sun 5:00 pm

iDiOM Theater
The Sound of Axes Falling | Sat 6:30 pm

FireHouse Arts & Events Center
Bellingham TheaterWorks Summer Repertory Theatre
Translations | Sat 7:30 pm
The Foreigner | Fri 7:30 pm
The Language Archive | Sun 5:00 pm

The Upfront Theatre
Various performances.

PARTICIPATORY DANCE

 Salsa & Bachata 
Salsa Collective - The Majestic - Sun 5:30 pm

 Other  
Sunset Silent Disco - Zuanich - Sat 8:00 pm
Open Floor Movement - Presence Studio - Sun 10:30 am

Events & Nightlife

Spinning Into The Night

Feature an Event. Reach out.

FEATURED

Bellingham Festival of Music’s Artistic Director Marcelo Lehninger continues the Festival's grand musical tour with a program focusing on music inspired by Scotland. Violinist Simone Porter is soloist in Bruch's "Scottish Fantasy." Other works by Mendelssohn: "Fingal's Cave" Overture, Symphony No. 3 "Scottish. Tickets.

Daikaiju is a kaiju-themed surf punk band from Huntsville, Alabama, now based out of Houston, Daikaiju performs while wearing kabuki masks, and using pseudonyms. They do not speak during performances, instead communicating using hand signals. The band often sets fire to their instruments during live shows!! Doors open Saturday at 8 pm at Bar Two Eleven.

Catch the Nomads at the Honey Moon today, July 11th, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. With its origin as the Bilongo Quintet before Bilongo evolved into a Latin band with vocals, The Nomads are an instrumental ensemble that play hypnotic grooves, borrowing from Ethiopian jazz and Latin rhythms. This is music for the soul and the feet. Featuring John Meloy (saxophone), Adrian Clarke (guitar), Roger Yamashita (bass), John Butorac (percussion) & Steve Jones (percussion). No cover!

FRIDAY

Čha•k’os 🔥 Fire Pit by Lummi Seafood Market, The Portal Container Village - In the Lummi language, fire is called "che'kos". In 2025, Čha•k’os Fire Pit is in a pop-up tent with a BBQ pit for the summer and fall season. Onsite from noon to 7 pm. 

Northwest Tune-Up, 1100 Granary Ave - Day one of a three-day festival that brings together cycling, live music, and community right on Bellingham’s waterfront at the Port of Bellingham. Spread over 19 acres, the event offers world-class mountain biking trails with races, demos, skill clinics, and group rides for both serious riders and casual enthusiasts. The NW Tune-Up celebrates the culture of the Pacific Northwest. Tickets and schedule.

Friday Music & Trivia →

SATURDAY

Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone, Fairhaven Village Green - The annual summer outdoor movie series continues with Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone starting at dusk. Come early for The Song Wranglers starting at 7:45’ish.

Northwest Singles Social Club, Ferry Terminal - A vibrant community of single, divorced, or widowed individuals in Whatcom and Skagit Counties who are over 55 and share a passion for connection, engagement, and simply having a good time. Bring your own coffee, from 10 am to 11 am. Learn more. 

Saturday Music & Trivia →

SUNDAY

Killer Carnivorous Plants, My Garden Nursery - Phaedra from Courting Frogs Nursery will go over the various types of carnivorous plants and how to care for them as houseplants and outdoor perennials. ☠️ 11 am.

Sunday Music & Trivia →

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Hakuna matata

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Have a great weekend!!