Blaine’s Old-Fashioned Fourth of July expected to draw a crowd

Blaine’s largest festival of the year is bringing back fan favorites to celebrate the Fourth of July, including a parade, car show and fireworks show.

Fourth of July will kick off in Blaine at 8 a.m. Tuesday, July 4 with a pancake breakfast at Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. The breakfast will serve pancakes, breakfast burritos, eggs, sausage, coffee and juice. The breakfast is $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and kids. The breakfast will have live music, decorations and food can be purchased to-go, senior center director Pete Nelson said.

The Show-N-Shine Car Show will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 4th and Martin streets. The event is expected to attract over 200 vintage cars, lowriders and other vehicles. Check-in is 7-10 a.m., and judging and awards are from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Blaine Public Library will hold its annual July 4 book sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the library, 610 3rd Street.

The arts and crafts street fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the H Street and G Street plazas. The fair will have over 85 vendors selling woodworking, jewelry, soaps, pottery and other goods.

A kids zone will have a bounce house, train ride and games from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. near H and 4th streets.

The Fourth of July grand parade will take over Peace Portal Drive at noon. The parade route will go along Peace Portal Drive from Starbucks, on F Street, to Boblett Street.

Last year’s parade attracted 14,000 people, said Jacquee Sovereign, Blaine Chamber of Commerce executive director. Sovereign recommended Blaine residents carpool, bike or walk into town because parking will be hard to find.

Live music will be played on H Street 1:30-5:30 p.m. by the Jim Buk Tu and Jimmy Wright bands. Silver City Band will also play at the car show.

Fireworks above Blaine Marine Park will end the festivities at 10:15 p.m.

The historic Plover passenger ferry will not be running between Semiahmoo Spit and Blaine Harbor as it is still undergoing restoration repairs. Blaine Police Department and North Whatcom Fire and Rescue will be in attendance, Sovereign said.

The chamber is looking for volunteers to stage and judge the parade and judge the car show, Sovereign said. The deadline for volunteer sign-ups is Friday, June 30 and those interested should reach out to Sovereign at info@blainechamber.com or 360/332-6484.

Sovereign encouraged people planning on entering the parade or car show to sign up ahead of July 4 to help volunteers. 

Firework regulations

In Blaine, consumer fireworks are banned west of Shintaffer Road, including all of Semiahmoo and Semiahmoo Spit. They are banned on public lands in Blaine such as city parks, Blaine Harbor and school areas. Fireworks are allowed from 10 a.m. to midnight on July 4 in all other parts of Blaine.

Fireworks are allowed in Birch Bay and other unincorporated areas of Whatcom County 6-11 p.m. July 3 and July 5 and from 6 p.m. to midnight on July 4. 

Consumer fireworks sold at a state licensed and Whatcom County permitted stands are allowed in the county. Firecrackers, bottle rockets, missiles and rockets are only legal to possess and use on tribal lands. Fireworks purchased on a reservation must stay on the reservation. 

Sky lanterns need to be tethered and controlled at all times if they are lit. For more information of Whatcom County firework regulations, visit the county’s website at bit.ly/3XASxd9. 

Birch Bay cleanup

Volunteers will hand out bags to families celebrating the Fourth of July in Birch Bay, cleanup organizer Doralee Booth said. People are asked to take their trash but if they cannot, Booth said they should put it in a bag and set it by the trash. 

Local organizations will team up for the annual July 5 Birch Bay beach cleanup running from 9 a.m. to noon. The cleanup will start at 7930 Birch Bay Drive and supplies and refreshments will be provided. Volunteers collected over four tons of garbage in 2022, Booth said.