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The scenic Pacific Northwest city of Bellingham in Washington State lies halfway between the film meccas of Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. CASCADIA is an ideal festival and filmmaking destination, perfectly situated for filmmakers and film enthusiasts near and far.
City of subdued excitement
A Healthy Community
Whatcom County is the fifth healthiest county in Washington state, according to the 2016 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. The annual report assesses how healthy residents are and looks at data across more than 30 categories that influence health, including education, housing, jobs, smoking and access to healthy food.
A Home For Writers
Bellingham is one of 20 great American cities for writers that aren’t New York City, according to flavorwire.com. Reasons? Bellingham is close to Seattle and its coffee shops (no mention of local coffee dens), plenty of rain to keep writers at work inside, and the presence of Village Books.
A Home For Snowbrains
Chair 8 at Mt. Baker Ski Area is one of the five top ski lifts in the Northwest, says snowbrains.com. With a vertical lift of nearly 1,600 feet and a top elevation of almost 5,100 feet, the chair provides access to what snowbrains calls “killer backcountry skiing.”
Beeringham?
Bellingham ranks high in the number of bars and drinking establishments per capita––it also rated 15th among the 25 most hungover cities in America––according to Business Insider magazine. Approximately 8 percent of Bellingham residents admitted to drinking heavily and 20 percent admitted to binge drinking.
RICK STEVES EXPLORES BELLINGHAM & WHATCOM COUNTY
Episode 1: Rick Steves TOURS WHATCOM COUNTY AND SAMPLES FARM TO BOTTLE FARE
In this first episode, he met local brewers and distillers and sampled plenty of locally made beer, gin, coffee, cider, and more. Take a look and see what he learned out about farm to bottle in Whatcom County. Release date: August 16, 2021. WATCH HERE.
Episode 2: Rick Steves EXPLORES SEASIDE LIFE AND PEACE ARCH PARK AT THE TOP OF PNW
This second episode, “Extremely Northwest,” shows Steves learning about the exclave community of Point Roberts, enjoying the borderless zone at what is both a Provincial and State Park on the Canadian border, and soaking up seaside living in the uppermost Pacific Northwest. Release date: September 20, 2021. (Originally published by Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism. WATCH HERE.
Episode 3: Rick Steves Enjoys Arts & Culture in Whatcom County
This final segment hosted by Rick Steves features his explorations of Whatcom County, Washington. Episode three, “Arts & Culture,” shows Steves exploring the Fairhaven and Downtown Arts Districts of Bellingham, touring exhibits, and even soaking up some historic maritime culture in the uppermost Pacific Northwest. Originally published by Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism. WATCH HERE.
MORE BELLINGHAM & WHATCOM COUNTY IN THE NEWS
BE Outdoors in Bellingham
Bellingham is a nature lover’s paradise for hiking, biking, paddling, fishing, climbing, snow sports and more in Whatcom County, the North Cascades and Mt. Baker. From the mountains to the sea, there is something for everyone in our region. Watch here.
Mt. Baker Ski Area
A bluebird day of skiing at Mt. Baker is hard to beat. Enjoy some aerial footage by Kjell Redal of Bellingham’s favorite ski hill! Watch here!
Bellingham Beer Culture
Known for its outdoor beauty, Bellingham has also become a highly decorated craft beer destination. We had the chance to sit down with owners of several Bellingham breweries to talk about why they love this place and how they collaborate as a beer community. Watch here!
SNow Capped Peaks
Just a glimpse of the wonderland that is Whatcom County in winter by Victor Metron. Watch here!
CASCADIA DREAMS TRAILER
This special presentation highlights the passionate photography of John D’Onofrio and Lance Ekhart (with additional video by Brett Baunton) in an elegiac tapestry of sight and sound. Read more here!
Boundary Bay Brewery TOur
Get a virtual tour of Boundary Bay Brewery created exclusively for CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival. Watch here!
Above Bellingham 4K Video
Tucked into the far northwest corner of the United States, Bellingham reps its location well. Everything from bottomless powder at Mt. Baker to rolling whitewater over Whatcom Falls provides a silver lining to the clouds that characterize the Pacific Northwest. Watch here!
WWU Outdoor Sculpture Garden Named One Of Best In U.S.
The university is home to one of the finest college contemporary outdoor sculpture collections in the United States. The collection has more than 37 public sculptures thanks to funding from the state’s 1 percent for arts program, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Virginia Wright Fund. Read more here!
Delicious New Finds For Foodies
KING5’s Evening Magazine takes a look at four must-try Bellingham places that offer everything from an upcycled dessert to the perfect chicken. Watch here!
Gretchen Leggitt--Street Artist
Bellingham street artist Gretchen Leggitt talks about why she chooses Bellingham over bigger cities as a place to live and play as well as the spectacular murals she has created for our community, including a mural two football fields in length by 60 feet tall––the largest mural in Washington State. Watch here!
Bellingham Farmers Market
The Saturday Market is more than just a place to buy fresh produce and hand crafted products. It fosters a sense of community and acts a gathering place for friends and family. The 100 stall market is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. Watch here!
Whatcom Arts Project
Following 2020 COVID closures, more than 30 performing and visual arts organizations have collaborated to form the Whatcom Arts Project — a campaign to inform, entertain, educate, inspire, collaborate, support, promote, and uplift each other daily and remain socially close while physically distanced. Watch here!
Washington State Ranked #1!
U.S. News & World Reports ranks Washington State #1! The study was based on a number of factors including infrastructure, education, economic factors, and healthcare. https://bit.ly/2Lujxaz
Bellingham Beer Week
9 DAYS OF BEER in April 2020 makes Bellingham a premier destination for anyone looking for the very best of craft beer in the Pacific NW. More than 30 breweries and tap houses are participating in the festivities this year and it’s guaranteed to be the best week yet! It all starts on Friday, April 17th with a series of parties, brewery events, speakers, craft beer releases, and more! More info here!
Bellingham On Tap
CASCADIA loves to support women-owned local businesses! And what’s there to not love when we’re talking about a local’s guide to the city’s best happy hours, events, specials by day of the week and bars? Bellingham On Tap was founded in 2013 by Bellingham resident June Hathaway, a former magazine publisher and editor. Learn more here!
Find out more
Visit Bellingham / Whatcom County Tourism for more information about how Bellingham & Whatcom County is one of the best places on Earth.