 |
We are here for you! Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism has reformatted our Tourism Talk e-news to provide ongoing information. We have also added
tourism industry
resources
to
Bellingham.org
for access at anytime. We are here to help all our members navigate these uncertain times.
|
Washington State Updates
Gov. Inslee announced a new COVID-19 risk assessment dashboard
to aid the state in gauging when and how to best lift restrictions around his 'Stay Home, Stay Healthy
" order in Washington State.
Wednesday, April 29, 2020, marked 100 days since the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Washington state. The governor mentioned that in the coming weeks, the state will slowly start "turning the dial" on several physical distancing restrictions in accordance with changing epidemiological and public health data.
|
Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee has announced a partial re-opening of some outdoor recreation activities beginning May 5, 2020.
"When I rolled out, 'Stay Home, Stay Healthy' over a month ago, difficult decisions were made to close state parks and public lands, golf facilities, and delaying hunting and fishing seasons. This was necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19, reduce travel and ultimately, save lives," Inslee said.
"Outdoor recreation is one of the best things we can promote physical, mental and emotional well-being for Washingtonians during a time of great stress and isolation. And springtime in our state is Washington at its best and people want to be out enjoying outdoor activities in a safe and responsible way."
|
WA Dept Fish & Wildlife
to open some recreational fishing and hunting
starting Tuesday, May 5
|
The Washington Tourism Alliance
(WTA) announced the appointment of David Blandford as its Interim Executive Director, effective May 4, 2020. Blandford will lead the organization's marketing activities in addition to a growing range of initiatives related to COVID-19, including tourism industry recovery and crisis communications.
|
Local Whatcom County Updates
|
Based on the recommendation of the Whatcom County Health Department, the Northwest Washington Fair Board unanimously voted to postpone the
2020 Northwest Washington Fair
to August 16-21, 2021.
"The Fair is a chance for our community to come together and celebrate our individual and collective achievements," said Board President Nate Kleindel. "We are saddened that the current circumstances have left us no alternative."
|
Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu is delaying permit fee payments for restaurants and taverns until July 1. Sidhu's executive order also allows restaurant owners whose permits expire between April and June to continue to operate without penalty.
Late fees assessed against these businesses between February 1 and April 30 because of a failure to pay for permit renewals will be waived, and no additional late fees will be charged until after February 28, 2021.
|
A motel facility opened Wednesday, April 22, on Byron Avenue in Bellingham
, to provide a safe place for individuals to isolate or quarantine if they cannot do so in their own home and are referred based on a medical provider's referral. This is the community's first Isolation and Quarantine (I/Q) facility.
|
|
Local Scenes of Inspiration
|
Coronavirus has put an end to "normal" life. For runners that means races, access to public lands, and group runs are cancelled, closed, and postponed. Runners across the world are adjusting to a world of virtual races and training in isolation. Trail Running Film Festival: Virtual Edition
is a 2 hour live stream
event of never before seen films, commentary, inspiration, and prize giveaways. As a fundraiser for the YWCA Covid Relief fund and a virtual gatherin
g of thousands of runners across the country, this event represents the best of how the trail community is responding to covid with resilience, love, and creativity. Join us on Friday May 1, 2020 at 5:30pm (PST).
|
This year, there have been fewer opportunities to appreciate the beauty of spring, with many trails and forests closed and family outings confined to the grocery store. That's why Eric Abel, president of Bellewood Farms, is opening the orchard's gravel roads to the public May 2 and 3, and encouraging Whatcom County residents to take a free drive through the trees to see the apple blossoms in full bloom.
|
When CASCADIA International Women's Film Festival
canceled its live festival in April due to the COVID crises, we didn't know when or if we'd be able to show the fine films, all directed by women, selected for this year's festival. But CASCADIA's
board came together to re-envision this year's festival, to honor our commitment to our filmmakers to bring their stories, told through the media of film, to you.
We are proud to present CASCADIA International Women's Film Festival's 2020 Official Selections
in an on-line festival May 14-17. Passes for the film are on sale now through the CASCADIA
website.
|
Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism has created a series of local Zoom Backgrounds for the public to download and utilize. Wow them on your next Zoom call!
Click here for images and instructions.
|
|
May 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 (Saturdays)
|
|
Photo Contest
March & April 2020
Our region is full of beauty! Send us your scenic photos from all around the county and enter them in our latest contest for a chance at a prize! Yes, members can enter. Members can also donate prizes. Enter
here.
|
Questions? We are happy to answer them for you.
Give us a call at 360-671-3990,
email us or visit our website at
bellingham.org
.
|
Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism
904 Potter Street, Bellingham, WA 98229
|
|
|
|
|
|
