Bellingham Bike Bash, Mural Magic, and More: Your Friday Local Roundup

Good morning, this is your Bellingham Local Frequency for Friday, May 16, 2025.

The city is kicking off the day with a celebration of Bike to Work and School Day, encouraging residents of all ages to dust off those bikes and take to the streets. There are events and refreshments set up around town to support anyone riding in today, so be sure to check out the city’s website for locations and details. This annual event is a great way to promote healthy commuting and community spirit, so whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just dusting off the wheels, today is your day to join in.

If you’re wandering downtown, keep an eye out for some exciting public art happenings. Today marks the beginning of the Trike Track Community Mural creation on Commercial Street, a hands-on event where community members can actually help paint a new mural that will brighten up our city core. And all summer long, downtown alleys are being transformed by installations like the Setting Sun Alley Activation, which promises vibrant Coast Salish artwork. And starting this month, four playful Find Billy sculptures pop up around the city, kicking off a June-long scavenger hunt. Whether you’re looking for Instagram-worthy spots or a weekend adventure, these public art projects are turning Bellingham into a canvas for creative storytelling.

For music lovers and families, more dates are on the horizon. The Make.Shift Art Space is planning “Radio Forever” with live music and art later this summer, and the Bellingham Symphony Orchestra will join forces with the Pickford Film Center for a silent film with live music in August. Keep your calendars handy and stay tuned for more.

Meanwhile, a quick heads-up from Whatcom County. There is a special three-day filing period for public office, running through the end of today. If you want to make a difference in your community, visit the county elections office for more details.

On the public safety front, local law enforcement worked swiftly this week to arrest suspects in a reported Bellingham kidnapping, and thankfully the victim escaped unharmed. Whatcom County has also reported its first case of mumps since 2018, a reminder for all to keep immunizations up to date. And if you’re near the Canadian border, don’t be alarmed by test emergency alerts coming through today—our neighbors to the north are running a drill.

As always, there’s plenty happening close to home in Bellingham. Whether you’re biking to work, painting a mural, or just soaking in the good weather, we wish you a wonderful Friday.

This has been Bellingham Local Frequency. We’ll see you tomorrow with more local updates.