Guide to Ferndale brewing locations
deWilde Rugby Field’s history
Fringe among local favorites since opening in 2019. — News, A6
Storied rugby field brings history and tradition to Whatcom sports. — Sports, B2
AUGUST 28, 2024
SINCE 1885
Signature events are a success in Ferndale
FERNDALE, WASHINGTON • $1.50
Join the fun at Ferndale’s Chalk Art Festival
Events such as Summer of Fun, Food Truck Friday, Jam on the River, and others help Ferndale thrive. (Ferndale Record file photos)
Mayor Hansen says when communities gather together for events they thrive, strengthen connections with neighbors and friends, and build strong communities By Luke Seymour Staff Reporter
FERNDALE — Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Ferndale has looked for ways to re-engage their residential communities and stimulate local businesses amidst a rapidly growing population. Throughout this year, Ferndale organizers have tried to do just that, by organizing multiple signature events such as the Summer of Fun and Jam on the River festival. Each event courted hundreds of Ferndale citizens to gather in a public setting and enjoy some of the greatest food, arts and entertainment the city has to offer. Megan Juenemann is community and communications officer for the City of Ferndale. Heather Sherrill is executive director of the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce. Greg Hansen is the mayor of Ferndale. The Ferndale Record asked them how they brought the events together, how they thought they went and what events may still be on the horizon for the rest of 2024. Ferndale Record: Megan, what are some major Ferndale events that you have helped spearhead this year?
By Merrick Parnell For the Record
FERNDALE — Ferndale will burst with bright and vibrant colors the first weekend in September. On Saturday, Sept. 7, art lovers and creators from across northern Whatcom County are invited to Griffintown Park for a day of artistic expression and fun at the Ferndale Chalk Art Festival. This free event will celebrate public art and will allow participants of all ages to create stunning chalk masterpieces which will transform the park into a unique art showcase. The festival, organized by the Ferndale Arts Commission, has been an annual event since 2018, except for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The Ferndale Arts Commission loves to host community art events, and we hope many will come and enjoy this project, whether to create art or observe the final creations,” said Rebecca Xczar, chairperson of the Ferndale Arts Commission. Chalk artists will receive everything needed to bring their visions to life, thanks to a sponsorship from Sherman General Contracting, which is funding the supplies. All materials will be provided
See Signature events on A6
Ferndale will burst with bright and vibrant colors on Saturday, Sept. 7 at Griffintown Park for a day of artistic expression and fun at the Ferndale Chalk Art Festival. (Photos courtesy of Maralise Fegan)
See Art festival on A3
Whatcom Land Trust celebrates 40 years of conservation By Luke Seymour Staff Reporter
WHATCOM — This year, Whatcom Land Trust celebrates its 40th anniversary as it preserves and protects the county’s wildlife habitat, scenic, agricultural and open space land. According to a statement released by WLT, although the conservation project was initially created in order to protect farmland, they expanded their goals and responsibilities to include wildlife habitat and scenic, open space lands when the conservation organization began proving to be successful. Lynden Tribune readers may be familiar with some of WLT’s past achievements in Whatcom County. In 2018, WLT helped Whatcom residents Katie Pencke and Matthew McDermott establish their pig farm, Alluvial Farms, in Everson by
providing the couple with a three-year conservation loan to help purchase the land. WLT also partnered with the Washington State Department of Agriculture and around 50 volunteers to help set up dozens of hornets nests on Trust-land to monitor and document the movement patterns of Asian Giant Hornets in Whatcom County. Whatcom Land Trust Communications Director Claire Johnston said that between their land acquisition facilitation efforts and conservation easements the WLT have much to celebrate in 2024. “We’ve protected over 27,000 acres of land in Whatcom County,” Johnston said. “Which is just such a wonderful, tangible legacy of these special places to preserve for future generations of all species.” Festivities for the 40th an-
niversary celebration began in April when WLT held an openinvite kickoff party at Structures Brewing in Bellingham. According to Johnston, the event was a hit, with up to 150 people attending and Whatcom Land Trust Board President Hall Walker gave a speech that thanked the organization’s partners and reflecting on the past 40 years of successful conservation efforts. Johnston said the celebration has been accompanied by a new conservation plan that has been posted on the land trust website, whatcomlandtrust.org, which outlines the organization’s priorities as well as what properties they hope to acquire in the future. WLT also has several projects coming up in the fall. These include a blackberry and barbed See Land Trust on A3
This year, Whatcom Land Trust celebrates its 40th anniversary as it preserves and protects the county’s wildlife habitat, scenic, agricultural and open space land. Festivities for the 40th anniversary celebration began in April when WLT held an open-invite kickoff party at Structures Brewing in Bellingham. (Courtesy photos)
Weather
44 pages • Volume LIII • Number 27
Thursday 53°/73° Friday 55°/75° Saturday 57°/77° Sunday 57°/77°
Calendar • A7 Classifieds • B5 Forum • A4
Legal Notices • B4 Obituaries • A5 Puzzles • B5
Sports • B1 Whatcom • A2
Early Labor Day weekend deadline: Noon Friday, Aug. 30 for editorial, advertising, obituaries.