Some organizations now have more funding for popular Blaine festivals thanks to Blaine City Council’s approval of annual tourism grants.
City council approved 11 grants for events such as the Old Fashioned Fourth of July and a new coastal regatta and 5K run during its November 12 meeting.
The Blaine Tourism Advisory Committee (BTAC) unanimously approved the city’s tourism budget during its October 29 meeting before the budget was presented to council.
Of the 11 grants, seven are being awarded in conjunction with the Blaine Chamber of Commerce and Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 (BBBPRD2). The chamber’s executive board requested the grants the chamber has historically received be awarded to the parks district, which would now be managing those events.
The total funding for tourism grants, $83,000, is in line with the $80,000 the city spent on tourism grants in the 2024 budget.
Below are the grant applications that received funding:
• $24,000 for the Old Fashioned Fourth of July (Chamber and BBBPRD2)
• $10,00 for Blaine Harbor Music Festival (Pacific Arts
Association)
• $10,000 for the Bellingham Scottish Gathering in Blaine (Scottish Dance Society)
• $6,000 for the Harbor Harvest Festival (Chamber and BBBPRD2)
• $6,000 for the Spring Block Party (Chamber and BBBPRD2)
• $5,000 for the Blaine Coastal 5K Run (Chamber and
BBBPRD2)
• $5,000 for the Blaine Coastal Regatta (Chamber and
BBBPRD2)
• $5,000 for Arts Connect (Blaine Arts Council).
• $5,000 for Wings Over Water NW Birding Festival (Wings Over Water)
• $4,000 for Drayton Harbor Maritime Festival (Chamber and BBBPRD2)
• $3,000 for Holiday Harbor Lights (Chamber and BBBPRD2)
The Blaine Coastal 5K Run is planned to be a race along the Blaine waterfront this spring with live music, a vendor market and post-race celebration. The Blaine Coastal Regatta is envisioned to host yacht clubs from Blaine, Bellingham and White Rock for races in Drayton Harbor, according to the grant proposal. The event would occur in fall 2025.
Funding for Arts Connect will continue Blaine Arts Council’s studio art tours, monthly downtown art walks and other activities.
The Oysterfest also wasn’t funded, but received $2,000 for advertising.
Council also approved $206,400 for tourism spending including the Plover ferry’s operations and maintenance, the lease and management of the Blaine Welcome Center, 20 percent of the Community Development Services director Alex Wenger’s salary that pays for his tourism work, an event coordinator contract planned with BBBPRD2, and Blaine by the Sea social media work.
BTAC requested city staff consider alternative locations for the Blaine Welcome Center and Visitor Information Center, currently located in central downtown at 546 Peace Portal Drive. City council approved $50,000 to lease the current visitor center building and $50,000 for management.
Council approved $40,000 for event-related costs, such as portable restrooms and signage, and approved $34,000 for marketing.
