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Welcome the Whales

Each spring, our resident gray whales and orcas return to Puget Sound waters. Along their way from Mexico to Canada and Alaska, they stop to feed and frolic in Saratoga Passage, just off of Langley.

Come celebrate the return of our beloved whales with the Welcome the Whales festival in Langley on Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

These large yearly visitors arrive in March and stay through May, feeding on delicacies to be found in our waters, then continue their annual migration north as far as the Bering Sea.

Orca Network, David Weeks

A whale's fluke breaks through the surface of Saratoga Passage.


The festival begins with hands-on educational displays and costume making at the Methodist Church Fellowship Hall at 10 a.m. The parade begins at 1:30 p.m., marching down the hill and ending at Langley Waterfront Park for music and celebration, and perhaps spotting gray whales frolicking and feeding nearby.

The parade of species is led by the 20-foot long “Gary the Gray Whale,” followed by an array of imaginative critters created by local children and adults. Parade participants can design their critter costumes at home, or come early on Saturday and make a costume at the church.

While the grays are in Saratoga Passage, observers can easily view them from the bluff. The gray whale ranges from slate gray to black with many white spots (usually patches of barnacles) and skin blotches (usually “whale lice” which are yellowish-white crustaceans). The gray whale does not have a dorsal fin but does have a low hump on its back and a series of small knobs or “knuckles” running down to the flukes.


Land-based whale watching spots in Langley:

• The sidewalk along Cascade Avenue, in front of the Saratoga Inn.
• The Langley marina boardwalk
• Boy and Dog Park
• Seawall Park and along the waterfront to the park at Anthes and the shoreline.

Whale Bell Dedication

A whale bell, designed and constructed by Michael Scullin and Tim Leonard was recently installed above Seawall Park. A dedication will be made during Welcome the Whales 2009.

For information, visit www.orcanetwork.org.

Earth Day Celebration to take place at Historic Bayview Corner, Whidbey Island, Sunday, April 19, 2009, 12 – 5 pm

The third annual Earth Day festival will take place at the Bayview Cash Store and Bayview Corner on Sunday, April 19, 12 – 5 p.m. Celebrated around the world on and around April 22 every year, Earth Day broadens the base of support for environmental programs and rekindles public commitment and activism through local educational events and activities.

The Earth Day Festival on Sunday, April 19 features:

  • Keynote speaker Robert Gilman will speak on “Sustainable Living in Community.”

Gilman is co-author of “Eco-Villages and Sustainable Communities” and founded the Context Institute, one of the earliest organizations to focus on sustainability.

He is currently a member of the city council of Langley, WA, and serves as editor of the on-line “In Context: A Quarterly of Humane Sustainable Culture.”

  • “Celebrating our Earth with Art,” an art show by community members of all ages, disciplines, and artistic experience and skills will be on display in the Cash Store, April 17 - 26.

  • Live music all day by local musicians, featuring a special tribute to Woody Guthrie, Chenjera Marimba, the Kindergarten Recycle Choir, and others.

  • How-to workshops and ongoing demonstrations on such topics as worm bin composting, bike repair, solar cooking, sustainable gardening, natural dyes, electric bicycles, and more.

  • Seed exchange. Bring your seeds, whether they’re heirloom specialties, personal favorites, or just leftovers from your favorite seed company.

  • Children’s Activities, including tree planting, art activities, music, and more.

  • Tour of the community garden planted at the Good Cheer Food Bank.

  • Bring a box with your favorite natural items, like pinecones, pebbles, berries, and blossoms to create a temporary Mandala tribute to the earth.

  • Walking tour of sustainable design elements at Bayview Corner and in the Cash Store including composting toilet, storm water recycle pond, and recycled building materials.

Bayview’s Earth Day Festival is part of “Earth and Ocean Weekend” on South Whidbey Island. All activities take place in and around the grounds of the Bayview Cash Store and Bayview Community Hall located at Bayview Corner, Langley, WA.

Call (360) 321-4145 for further information.