Bellingham's annual Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi Americans (APIDA) Heritage Festival returns on Tuesday, May 12, bringing together the community for a free evening of food, performances, local vendors, and connection. The event runs from 5:30 to 8:00 PM at the Syre Student Center on the Whatcom Community College campus, with doors and food service opening at 5:00 PM.
This year's theme, "Power in Unity: Strengthening Communities Together," reflects a moment when community gathering and mutual recognition carry particular weight. The festival is co-organized by the City of Bellingham and Whatcom Community College, and has grown over the years into one of the most attended heritage celebrations in the county. It is free and open to everyone, not just members of the APIDA community.
The Syre Student Center at WCC is located at 237 W Kellogg Rd in Bellingham. The venue is wheelchair-accessible, and ASL interpretation is available upon request. Residents who need accessibility accommodations can contact Tanya Zaragoza-Rosas at tzaragoza@whatcom.edu in advance of the event.
APIDA Heritage Month is observed nationally each May, recognizing the histories, contributions, and cultural traditions of Americans with roots in Asia, the Pacific Islands, and South Asia. In Whatcom County, the APIDA community includes a diverse mix of long-established families and more recently arrived residents, spanning Vietnamese, Filipino, Indian, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Pacific Islander, and many other backgrounds. Western Washington University also celebrates the month with its own programming, as detailed on WWU's APIDA heritage month page.
The festival's free community meal has been a consistent draw in past years, providing a welcoming entry point for neighbors who may not have attended before. Local vendors at the event offer an opportunity to support APIDA-owned businesses in the area directly.
The full event details including vendor and performance information can be found through the City of Bellingham's Inside Bellingham newsletter and at cob.org. No registration is required to attend.
