Lynden's Raspberry Festival
The Lynden community sure knows how to put on a raspberry festival! Front Street closed several blocks while people from all over Whatcom County, British Columbia and as far away as Seattle came up for the annual event held July 13 & 14 this year.
One of the biggest draws for the festival is the three-on-three basketball tournament, which usually has about 100 teams. This year, the tournament was renamed the Curt Maberry Memorial Classic in honor of the late berry grower.
A new event this year was the Razz & Shine Car Show, which was free for participants and spectators. Jazz shows also kept kids and adults entertained Friday and Saturday. And ice cream & raspberry sundaes for $1 - how can you beat that? Vendors showed their wares in the street and various food smells drifted through the streets. The shops downtown left their doors open so people could wander in and out easily. There were raffles and contests through-out both days for all ages. It's a wonderful small town family style event.
Here is a fact that most people don't know: “Sixty-five percent of the nation’s raspberries are produced in Whatcom County,” says event coordinator Heather Pehl, who recalls picking berries as a child. “We do everything from growing the berries, harvesting, processing. It’s a big industry around here.”