The craft-focused celebration of Earth and its creatures returned to Bellingham for its second year since hiatus
This year’s Procession of the Species parade kickstarted at 2 p.m. on May 2 outside of Bellingham High School in a flash of color. Paradegoers of all ages intermingled and prepared to walk — or roll, in the case of a few skaters — from Cornwall Avenue, down West Champion Street, to Maritime Heritage Park, where a mix of musicians, art and interactive games were set up on the grass.
“This is a great turnout. Everybody’s hanging out, everybody’s having a good time,” said Gabriel Miles, owner of the local educational organization and organizers of the event, Gabriel’s Art Kids. “People are dancing and schmoozing and eating. I love it.”
The community celebration was founded in Olympia in 1995 to celebrate Earth Day. Part fair, part parade, and wholly creative, it found its way to Bellingham in 2003 with great success — homemade floats and costumes, live music, outdoor games and crafts — until the COVID-19 pandemic raised safety concerns, and the yearly gathering became dormant.
In 2025, Gabriel’s Art Kids reached out to local artist Carol Oberton, who played a crucial role in organizing Bellingham’s past Procession of the Species events, and acquired her blessing to bring it back.
2026 marks the second consecutive year that the event has returned to Bellingham. A couple hundred attended, and the 21 vendors included the New Prospect Theater, Make.shift Art Space and Bellingham Public Library.
Miles said she felt good about this year’s success and plans to organize the event again next year.
—By Jae Ranney