The Ski to Sea Grand Parade committee has worked diligently to create some entertainment value for this year's parade. "I think they have acquired some great entries this year”, stated Sheila Connors, Marketing & Events Director for the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce. Maria Dahl, the Grand Parade Director stated "Some new entries for this year are the re-enactment of the Iwo Jima Statue, the Jr. Parade Grand Prize winner from Catch A Son Preschool is a replica of a Pirate Ship from Peter Pan and the one that promises to be the most exciting float the Grand Parade has ever seen is from Roy Boy Entertainment, DJ 'LGND' from Rain Supremes Events and the Nooksack River Casino”. "These 2 companies have combined forces and talents to create a one of a kind float”. "These masters of sound will create a unique entertainment experience that the whole family will enjoy,” continues Ms Dahl "so be sure to stake out your spot along the parade route.”
This is the 91st year of the Ski-to-Sea Grand Parade. The parade route starts at the corner of Alabama and Cornwall and travels down Cornwall Avenue turns left on Champion Street and then left on State Street. It all ends at State Street and York. The Grand Parade starts at noon on Saturday, May 28th.
Community Partners Needed for Ski to Sea Grand Parade
The Bellingham/Whatcom County Chamber of Commerce & Industry is looking for civic minded businesses to sponsor non-profit organizations, associations and clubs in the Ski to Sea Grand Parade. "There are many non-profit groups that would love to create a float for the Parade but lack the funds to do so.” states Sheila Connors, Marketing and Events Director. "Matching a business with one of our non-profit groups is a win/win for everyone. The business gets to support a non-profit for just $250, the non-profit gets to do a terrific team building project advertising their message to the community and the community, in turn, gets to enjoy beautiful floats in the parade!” Connors states "We have already made our first match with Solutions Electrical Contracting and Big Brothers Big Sisters. They are extremely excited to get started on their float”. Currently we are looking for sponsors for the Arthritis Foundation, some veteran groups and several local clubs.” The businesses simply write a check to the Whatcom Chamber Foundation, a 501C3 organization, and the chamber will disburse the funds directly to the non-profit organization. Interested businesses should contact Sheila Connors at the Chamber office at 360-734-1330 or Grand Parade Director Maria Dahl at 360-201-9111.
Ski to Sea High School Video Contest for YouTube
Ski to Sea Grand Parade committee has an exciting new feature to the community celebration: a YouTube video
contest. The YouTube video contest is open to any person or group that creates a video of the 2011 parade theme,
"Whatcom on the Move”. Amateurs will video what "Whatcom on the Move” means to them and the Ski to Sea
Grand Parade committee will awards a variety of best video prizes.
Videos should be a maximum of 2 minutes in length and portray the Ski to Sea Grand Parade theme through the
film maker’s eyes. Creativity and clean humor are encouraged! The video could be a mini-documentary, a music
video, or it could tell a story. It could show the preparation of a float, the challenge of being in a parade, the team
spirit, the humor, etc. The video could cover an individual, a team, a particular point of view or a spoof of some
event. Videos must be appropriate for family viewing. Formatting must be optimized for YouTube viewing.
Winning videos will be linked to the bellingham.com website.
Prizes will be awarded in the following areas:
1. Capturing the "Spirit” of the Community.
2. Funniest overall video.
3. Best "Story”.
4. Judges Favorite.
To enter your video, visit bellingham.com and click on the Ski to Sea Grand Parade events page. Completed forms
must be submitted by May 6, 2011 to be eligible for prizes. Participant’s videos must be posted on YouTube by
May 18, 2011 so judges can determine the winners and award prizes.
Call for Junior Banner Girls or Boys!
The Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce and Industry is seeking middle school aged
kids to participate as banner girls in the 21st annual Jr. Ski to Sea Parade set for May 20, 2011
and/or Ski to Sea Grand Parade on May 28th. Volunteers would join in the celebration and walk
the parade route holding banners for the award winners. This is a great opportunity for the
kids to get involved in an historical community event.
Also, participants receive a free T-Shirt!
Christie Black of Bellingham participated last year and stated that —"being a banner girl with
my best friends was one of the coolest things I have ever done! I can’t wait to do it again!”
Sheila Connors, Marketing & Events Director for the Chamber stated "Every year we are looking
for community minded kids to help celebrate our award winners by proudly displaying their
banner.”
For information about getting involved on May 20th for the Junior Ski to Sea Parade or on May
28th for the Grand Parade please contact Sheila Connors or Michelle Gray at (360) 734-1330.
2011 Ski to Sea Grand Parade Theme Announced
BELLINGHAM, WA – This year’s theme for the 2011 Ski to Sea Grand Parade is
Whatcom on the Move, the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce and Industry
announced today. The Grand Parade Committee chose the theme from a list of multiple
possibilities.
The committee selected the theme because they felt that it represents the
progress in the local economy, and that things are changing in the county.
Sheila Connors, Marketing and Events Director for the Chamber of Commerce,
said "the committee really hope to increase the number of floats this year and are
encouraging all clubs, associations, schools, businesses and communities to enter the
parade”. "Building a float is actually quite a fun project for schools, businesses, and
other groups to engage in,” she said.
The Chamber has arranged for a 10 percent discount for all parade float material
at www.valleydecorating.com. Those interested should visit the site, click on "parade
floats” and use Ski to Sea promotional code VDC09. Directions on how to build a float
are also available on the web site.
Registration for the Saturday, May 28th parade in downtown Bellingham is now
open. The parade rules and registration application are available on-line at www.bellingham.com.
For Additional Information contact: Sheila Connors, Marketing and Events Director
(360) 734-1330
Ski to Sea Grand Parade Sponsors Announced
The Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes new corporate
sponsors for the 91st Annual Ski to Sea Grand Parade: Alcoa Intalco Works, Allegiant Airlines, Logos Bible
Software, Windermere Real Estate and the Agents of Windermere. These generous sponsors embody this
year’s theme, Whatcom On The Move.
Sheila Connors, Marketing and Events Director for the Chamber, expressed her sincere thank you to our
new Community partnerships—"with their support, this event will be the best Grand Parade yet, we want to
thank our sponsors for helping to continue this Whatcom County tradition.”
The Ski to Sea Grand Parade will take place Saturday, May 28th at 12:00 Noon in Downtown. The
Chamber of Commerce invites associations, organizations, cultural, and ethnic groups to join in this
community celebration. For registration and parade route information go to www.bellingham.com
A special thanks to our supporters Data-Link West, Bellingham Police Association, Yeager’s Sporting
Goods, Auto Market Magazine, Ira Uhrig and Family.
For Additional Information contact: Sheila Connors, Marketing and Events Director
(360) 734-1330
