Bellingham Pride, Juneteenth Celebration, and Safety Updates for the Weekend

Good morning, this is your Bellingham Local Frequency for Saturday, May 31. Let’s start with a celebration—the city is kicking off Pride Month early today with the Whatcom Youth Pride parade at 11 am. The route runs right past City Hall, where local staff and families will be cheering on our youth. Whether you’re marching or just there to soak in the vibrant energy, it’s a great way to show support for Bellingham’s young LGBTQ+ community, and it sets the tone for a month full of Pride festivities around town. If you’re looking for more ways to celebrate throughout June, check out the local events roundup on Visit Bellingham.

As we look ahead, mark your calendars for June 21, when Maritime Heritage Park hosts Bellingham’s annual Juneteenth celebration. The event runs from 2 to 6 pm and promises live performances, community speakers, and a chance to honor freedom and resilience. It’s free and open to everyone, so bring your family and friends for an afternoon of music, food, and culture.

For outdoor enthusiasts, heads up about a change to your regular route: the Interurban Trail will have a detour this summer. This is all part of a major project to restore fish passage at Padden Creek, which will benefit salmon, trout, and other wildlife. Construction starts in late June and aims to stay within the work window for protecting local fish species, but exact timing may shift based on materials. If you want details or have questions, you can swing by the open house at Happy Valley Elementary School on the evening of June 9.

Turning to safety updates, wildfire season is starting early this year in the region, and emergency management officials have issued a level 3 alert in some nearby areas due to extreme fire danger. That means immediate evacuation for those affected, so make sure you have your go-bag ready just in case. Meanwhile, Chuckanut Drive remains closed due to a rockslide, with no current estimate for reopening. This closure is affecting both locals and visitors hoping for those iconic scenic drives, so plan alternate routes for now.

On the news front, it’s a sobering reminder to talk about gun safety. Two local juveniles were involved in a serious incident after reportedly playing with a firearm; one is now hospitalized, the other in custody. Law enforcement urges families to secure their weapons and keep lines of communication open with kids.

Finally, if you’re heading out on the roads near Everson, expect significant traffic impacts for the next five weeks due to roadwork on Everson Goshen Road. And remember, if you notice emergency alert messages on your phone, especially near the Canadian border, it’s likely part of a scheduled test.

That wraps up today’s Bellingham Local Frequency. Whether you plan to catch the parade, get outdoors, or just relax at home, we hope your Saturday is safe and memorable. We’ll see you tomorrow with more local updates.