For those in attendance at the May 28 Fairhaven Festival, the dance floor in front of the stage located at the historic district’s Village Green was a primo location for people- and dog-watching.
At one point during the live music lineup, an adroit swing dancer dressed in black slacks and a crisp white shirt danced with — well, around — his golden retriever before handing off the leash and taking the hand of a young woman. Kids also joined in on the fun, as did musicians who’d already performed and a slew of regulars.
Throughout the day, a tie-dye-clad duo could be seen moving their bodies to bands like Danned If We Do, Pacific Twang, Bridge and Hot Damn Scandal. The couple, Keith Reid and Regina O’Neill, said they were at the Ski to Sea-adjacent event for one reason.
“We came for the music,” Reid said shortly after Pacific Twang had wrapped up its set. “We were up here last night and saw a handful of bands in Bellingham. They are all friends of ours, these guys.”
“I just enjoy appreciating different artists of all kinds,”
O’Neill said. “You get a great variety of different types of music here. There’s something for everyone.”
Although Reid and O’Neill didn’t have any specific plans for the rest of the afternoon, they said they’d probably grab a bite to eat, check out some of the numerous arts and crafts vendors and do their best to support local businesses taking part in the Ski to Sea after-party — referred to as “Bellingham’s biggest street fair” by the Fairhaven Association.
“We’ll be here all day,” Reid said, “just seeing friends, and making new friends.”
Nearby, on the corner of Harris Avenue, Kevin Pinnell — who goes by the moniker “Thee Balloon Guy” — was conjuring balloon animals, swords, airplanes and arrows for a long line of kids and parents waiting their turn.
Pinnell said he would stick around for the entire festival, making approximately 75 balloons an hour. He works for tips because he doesn’t ever want to say “no”
to a kid who wants a balloon.
When asked how he got started in the blow-up business, Pinnell quipped,
“Years of diligence, discipline, self-denial, long lonely Saturday nights sitting on the couch with nothing more than a bag of balloons.”
Thee Balloon Guy will also make appearances at Aslan Brewing Company’s ninth-anniversary party on Saturday, June 3. At 1 p.m., he’ll be performing a magic show for kids, followed by more balloon-making. At 5:30 p.m., he’ll be back with a magic show for adults (and more balloons, of course).
Pinnell also does standup, he said,
“but they yell at me to sit down.”
Across the street from the inflatable action, Good Earth Pottery owner and ceramics artist Ann Marie Cooper was marshaling the madness at the gallery’s perennially popular Seconds Sale, which sees the shop’s artists selling “imperfect pots at perfect prices” outside the store.
Cooper said they start out with more than 100 pieces, and as stuff sells they consolidate and take tables down as needed. What’s left goes back to the artists, but often not much is remaining.
“People come to the Seconds Sale no matter what,”
Cooper said. “It’s the highlight of their year. This has been happening since the ’90s, I believe. It’s just an ongoing tradition.”
While she doesn’t have time during the Fairhaven Festival to stand in line for food, Cooper said she tries to get out and check out the visiting vendor booths. For most of the day, though, she’s in front of the store visiting with people and answering any questions people may have.
“I love to connect with the community and feel the excitement and the energy,” she said. “It draws people inside the store, also.”
The lines for food vendors Cooper mentioned were no joke. At one count, more than 100 people were waiting their turn to order from Gip’s Downhome BBQ and Gip’s Philly Cheesesteaks and curly fries. The line for fish and chips from Alaska Wild wasn’t as long, but still required some patience.
“We’ve been busy all day,” Alaska Wild’s Barb Ruden said. “Well, I got here at 11 a.m. and there was nothing until about 12 p.m. But since then, it’s been crazy. It’s OK by me.”
Many attendees were there to watch the Ski to Sea kayakers come in at Marine Park; others just wanted to grab a bite to eat and visit the gigantic beer garden. Volunteers like Anna Newberry — who was just coming off a two-hour stint helping people sort garbage from compost at the Village Green — waited until their shifts were over to explore the festivities.
With temperatures in the mid-60s and a maritime breeze making the sunny day comfortable, the vibe was one of relaxed frenzy. Dogs were just as likely to be pushed around in wagons and buggies as babies were, and there was a surprise around every corner.
In front of Jalapeños restaurant, for example, a life-sized statue somewhat resembling the bronze sculptures of iconic people like Dirty Dan Harris and Mark Twain placed throughout Fairhaven turned out to be a living work of art.
Although she wouldn’t speak, the painted woman seen periodically on the streets of Bellingham with a large tip jar in her arms nodded her assent when asked if her picture could be taken, and nodded again when asked if it was OK to have it be in print.
Then, she blew a kiss and froze again, waiting to surprise those strolling the streets on a warm spring day.
