The Bellingham Public Library is hosting the first of two Children's Craft Fairs this Friday, July 31, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lee Memorial Park, directly outside the Central Library in downtown Bellingham. Young entrepreneurs will be selling handmade items and baked goods, with everything priced at five dollars or under. The event is cash only, so bringing small bills is a good idea.
What to Expect at the Fair
The fair is designed to give children a real-world experience running a small business, from making the products to pricing them and handling transactions with customers. Items on offer this Friday include bath bombs and pinatas, both of which have been in production in the days leading up to the event. Other handmade crafts and baked goods will also be available, with the full selection depending on what the participating kids have created.
Lee Memorial Park sits at the corner of Bellingham's Central Library block, making it an easy stop for anyone already heading downtown on a Friday morning. The outdoor setting is casual and welcoming, and the event runs during the lunch hour, which makes it convenient for those working or running errands nearby.
The Bellingham Public Library has been running summer programming for children and families for decades, and the craft fair format adds a creative and entrepreneurial dimension that goes beyond traditional reading programs. Getting kids excited about making things, pricing them, and selling them directly to community members is a different kind of learning that complements what happens inside the library building.
A Second Fair Is Coming in August
Friday's event is the first of two scheduled fairs this summer. A second Children's Craft Fair is planned for Friday, August 21, at the same location and during the same hours. Families who miss the July 31 fair have a second opportunity later in the season, and kids who participate in the first fair may return with new inventory for the second.
Both events are free to attend. Shoppers simply show up, browse what the young vendors have made, and bring cash to make purchases. The five-dollar price cap on every item keeps things accessible for all budgets and ensures that most visitors can leave with something.
Supporting Young Makers in Bellingham
Community turnout at events like this makes a meaningful difference for the kids involved. Selling something you made yourself to a stranger who chose it and paid real money for it is a formative experience. The library's summer programming, including events like this craft fair, is part of a broader effort to make the Central Library a hub for community engagement beyond books and quiet reading rooms.
The City of Bellingham operates the public library system, and the Central Library at 210 Central Avenue is the flagship branch, with Whatcom County's largest collection and a range of programming for all ages throughout the year. Lee Memorial Park, which wraps around the building, is a regular gathering spot for downtown events.
If you are looking for something to do with kids this Friday morning, or just want to support some young Bellingham makers, head to Lee Memorial Park between 11 and 1. Bring a few dollars in small bills, plan on staying for at least a few minutes to browse, and consider picking something up. More details on upcoming library programming and community events are regularly shared through the city's library channels and social media pages.
