July 31 - August 6, 2025
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Primary ballots due Tuesday, August 5, page 4
Businesses react to construction, page 5
Lummi police officer shot in line of duty, page 6
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Drayton Harbor Paddle to Elwha makes Birch Bay stop Pirate Festival held in Blaine this weekend By Grace McCarthy
(See Festival, page 13)
s The Nooksack Indian Tribe greeted canoes arriving at Birch Bay State Park for the Paddle to Elwha Canoe Journey on July 23. Tribes from B.C. and beyond are making their way to the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, outside of Port Angeles, for the journey. The theme of this year’s paddle is “dams removed, a river reborn, spirits renewed.” See more photos on page 7 and at thenorthernlight.com. Photo by Ruth Lauman
Blaine school board considers adding Birch Bay to district name, elementary school By Nolan Baker Birch Bay was the center of discussion during Blaine school district’s second-to-last meeting of the 2024-25 school year on July 28, with talk on adding Birch Bay to the district name and purchasing Birch Bay land for an elementary school. The board also discussed changes to next year’s budget after voting to pause a controversial cost-saving plan to consolidate its primary and elementary school at its previous meeting. Blaine-Birch Bay school district? The board discussed the possibility of renaming the school district to include Birch Bay as a way to recognize the unincorporated community that many students and staff call home. Under the
agenda item “Birch Bay Follow Up,” the board discussed how the district could build its relationship with Birch Bay. District 4 director Ryan Swinburnson, who represents portions of Birch Bay, said he did not support a full name change, but recognized Birch Bay residents want more recognition from the district. “I think buried in that [name change] is some hope that there’s going to be some more recognition of Birch Bay in some capacity, reflecting that it’s a big part of our school district,” Swinburnson said. “They feel there’s not a lot of acknowledgement.” Washington state law outlines specific (See School, page 6)
INSIDE
A festival treasured by many is returning for a raft race, theater performances and maritime-themed youth activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, August 2. The annual Drayton Harbor Pirate Festival will bring swashbuckling fun to the Blaine Harbor Boating Center, 235 Marine Drive, and the neighboring Blaine Marine Park. Event organizer Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 (BBBPRD2) will start the day with family fun highlighting Blaine’s maritime history, starting with maritime-themed obstacles at the “pirate cove,” or playground area in the park, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Every participant who receives stamps after completing each obstacle will receive a prize. A fair with crafts, food vendors and mermaid photo opportunities will be set up from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the boating center. For another option on a bite to eat, parks and recreation will sell $2 hot dogs and $1 chips and drinks near the playground. The festival’s traditional “anything but a boat” boat race will make a splash at 2 p.m. outside of the boating center. Racers may build boats with any materials – except what would traditionally be used for a watercraft. The first “boat” across the finish line wins, whether it’s made from a kiddie pool, cooler or other non-nautical items. Prizes will also be awarded at 3 p.m. for the most creative design, best team spirit and most likely to sink. Race sign-up will be available at the BBBPRD2 booth in the vendor fair. Teams may have up to four people, and everyone aboard must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Other festival activities include play performances, a water balloon fight, a costume contest, story times and live music. Here is a breakdown of the festival activities: • 10 a.m. – Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) will host a story time near the playground. • 10:30 a.m. – Blaine Community Theater (BCT) will put on its “Pirates of Penzance” water balloon performance near the playground. • Noon – BCT will put on its “Pirates of Penzance” water balloon performance and the WCLS will host a story time near the
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AINE’S L B
drayton harbor
pirate festival saturday, august 2, 2025
Blaine marine park and harbor
see ad on page 2 for details
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