Waterfront Wednesday August 6, 2025
Waterfront Wednesday News
August 6, 2025
Schooner Zodiac in Bellingham Bay. Photo: SchoonerZodiac.com
Beats on the Bay. Photo: Community Boating Center
The map of the concert area. Credit: Community Boating Center
Beats on the Bay 2025
Presented by the Community Boating Center in collaboration with the Schooner Zodiac.
Join them for a magical, music-filled summer on the water as the Community Boating Center (CBC) and the Schooner Zodiac proudly present Beats on the Bay, a one-of-a-kind floating concert series taking place on our beautiful Bay!
The first concert will be:
- August 13 – Kate Dinsmore - A powerhouse singer-songwriter from Seattle, WA. Kate’s genre-spanning style draws from jazz, rock, and Americana, brought to life with her electrifying stage presence and soulful voice.
- September 3 – MaSango - World-renowned multi-instrumentalist Zivanai Masango and vocalist Helen team up to bring vibrant and rhythmic sounds from Zimbabwe and Southern Africa in a powerful and joyful musical experience.
- September 10 – Smooth Kiwi - An alternative psychedelic pop-rock band with groove-driven jams, silky vocals, funky bass, and lush atmospheric guitar and synth textures. Like a fresh kiwi: vibrant, sweet, and deeply satisfying.
How to Attend - Choose your adventure:
- Paddle or Row: Rent a kayak, stand-up paddleboard, or rowboat from CBC for $30 — reserve at boatingcenter.org.
- Bring Your Own Boat: Paddle out and enjoy the show from your own small watercraft.
- On Board the Schooner Zodiac: Want a front-row view with more comfort? Purchase tickets to be on deck at schoonerzodiac.com/floating-concerts.
Each concert begins at 6:00 PM and wraps up by 8:00 PM.
Community-Focused Fun
All proceeds from boat rentals go directly to support the CBC’s mission to provide inclusive access to water-based recreation, education, and stewardship programs.
Can’t get on the water? No problem! You can still enjoy the music from shore. We welcome shoreside attendees with a suggested donation of $15 per person to support the CBC’s community programming.
Learn more about the concert series via the link below:
Blaine Seaside Bash
Get ready to experience the ultimate family-friendly celebration at the Seaside Bash & OysterFest in Blaine by the Sea, happening on Saturday, October 11th, 2025!
This vibrant event welcomes guests from both sides of the border for a weekend packed with laughter, community, connection, and seaside fun by the Sea.
Attractions to look for:
- Delicious food trucks serving up mouthwatering bites
- OysterFest is back with delcious osters from Drayton Harbor
- A lively street fair with unique vendors
- Engaging kids’ activities perfect for little ones
- Incredible live music to keep your toes tapping
- A bustling beer garden for the grownups to unwind
Seafood lovers will adore the Blaine OysterFest taking place nearby at H Street Plaza, where you can indulge in the freshest coastal flavors!
Mark your calendar now, and check back often to see all the spectacular community fun days planned with community spirit and seaside vibes at Blaine’s Seaside Bash!
Blaine Seafood Bash. Photo: Blainbythesea.com
San Juan Cruises' 'Victoria Star' docked at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. Photo: Dan Tucker
San Juan Cruises are a star attraction
San Juan Cruises, local whale watching and cruise operator here in Bellingham, was recently featured with owner Drew Schmidt and employee Emily Lekberg.
San Juan Cruises operates from the Bellingham Cruise Terminal in Fairhaven, with trips going out daily to explore Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands, and more. Photography trips, whale watching, dinner cruises, and waterfront tours fill their schedule during the summer with fun for all ages.
Learn more about San Juan Cruises from "My Bellingham Now" and their "We are Whatcom" series, via the link below:
Buoyant Beginnings
Pre-Apprenticeship
begins work experience
After four weeks of hands-on technical training, professional development, and employability skills, our students are taking the next big step—two weeks of real-world work experience with local maritime employers.
Before heading out, they powered through an intense morning of employer interviews, showcasing their growth, confidence, and readiness to enter the marine trades and beyond.
We look forward to these students applying their skills and continuibng to grow on the job!
Big Thank You to our Partners: Backcountry Medical Guides, Northwest Diesel Power, Barleans, Armstrong Marine Services, Jagen Twichell, Marine Spill Response Corporation, LFS Distribution Center, Marine Spill Response Corporation, and more!
Photos courtesy Sierra Oliver
Don't forget to pump!
If you're a recreational boater, one of the least-fun tasks can be to empty your grey and blackwater tanks. Knowing where to go and how to manage the process can be a chore before you even get to the act of emptying your tanks.
Fortunately,
Pumpout Washington is here to help with the Pumpout Nav App! Find locations, get information all from your mobile device on the go.
Be responsible, and pumpout safely. Find out more via the link below:
First-time boat owner?
Maintaining and repairing your new vessel can be daunting when you're wading into boat ownership for the first time. Fortunately, our friends at Northwest Maritime are here to help with an insightful article on the tips, tricks, and follies to avoid in getting onboard with maintenance from a new owner's perspective. Read the full blog via the link below:
Rachel Bradly, new boat owner. Photo: NW Maritime
Port Commission Meetings
Port Commissioners Open Meetings are held at the Port Admin Offices and are open to the public. Check the Agenda Center (Linked on each meeting time below) for posted agendas. Agendas typically get posted a week in advance of the scheduled meeting. Two periods of public comment occur each meeting before and after the agenda items, as well as special public hearings as designated on the agendas.
Location: Port Admin Offices, 1801 Roeder Ave, Bellingham
Port of Bellingham Agenda Center (check here for updated agendas)
Upcoming Meetings:
August 12th - Board of Commissioner's Open Public Meeting
Past Meeting Information
YouTube Link:
July 15- Board of Commissioner's Open Public Meeting
Recent Minutes Posted:
June 17 - Board of Commissioner's Minutes
Upcoming Waterfront & Coalition Events
Waterfront Events:
Knife Sharpening - Bosun's Workshop
August 12, 6 - 9 p.m., Fairhaven
Join Bosun's Workshop for a knife-sharpening workshop. Learn the different types of blades, how to sharpen them, and best tips and tricks to keep your cutting tools ready. This workshop is hosted by Calen Mehrer, Captain of Schooner Zodiac. To inquire or reserve a spot, email info@bosunsworkshop.org
Sept 6, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Dockside Market
Join Dockside Market and local seafood vendors to celebrate a record Pink Salmon run with Pink Day @ Dockside!
Sept. 13-21, Whatcom County
Whatcom Water Week is an annual community event that celebrates the water resources of Whatcom County. Water Week offers many different family-friendly events throughout the county with opportunities to have fun, learn, and make a difference. Learn More Here
Sept. 27 / 28
Bellingham SeaFeast was started to highlight the local bounty harvested from the pristine waters of the Pacific Northwest! Immersed in the beautiful waterfront of Bellingham, SeaFeast offers unique opportunities to immerse yourself in the rich maritime culture that defines our coastal haven through a delectable selection of seafood.
Coalition Events:
Are You Hiring? Use the Coalition Job Board
The Coalition's
Job Board is free, contactless, and easy! We designed this board for our commercial fishermen, marine trades industries and other waterfront jobs in mind, to act as a digital bulletin board for crew positions, contract hires, or regular employee spots that you want to have a digital space for.
If you have any questions on using it, reach out to our staff, info@whatcomworkingwaterfront.org. To submit a job posting, use the link below:
Affordable Health Benefits
for Statewide Maritime Companies
The Working Waterfront Health Trust provides affordable pooled insurance health plans for qualifying marine-trades businesses -
state-wide. The Trust launched two years ago, has grown steadily each year and provides a range of health plans to consider through Premera Blue Cross.
If you'd like to know more about the Health Trust, contact your insurance broker today and ask them about the Working Waterfront Health Trust. Fall is the peak time to meet with your broker to discuss options for your employees for 2025.
This newsletter sponsored by:
Alta-Gas
Premera
Copyright 2024 Waterfront Wednesdays by Whatcom Working Waterfront Coalition
Waterfront Wednesday is a publication
of the Whatcom Working Waterfront Coalition.
www.whatcomworkingwaterfront.org
Do you have news about our waterfront?
Drop us a line and tell us about it.
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