By Josh Hughes
BAMF!, Bellingham’s first local, overnight music and arts festival, is aiming to kick off May with a 24-hour extravaganza of over 45 musical artists, a selection of films and comedy acts and various art vendors, all of whom represent Bellingham’s increasingly diverse artistic community. Running from noon on May 6 to noon on May 7, Bellingham Arts & Music Festival (BAMF!) will take place at the Lookout Arts Rock Quarry just ten minutes south of downtown. Festival-goers will camp in an all-inclusive environment and indulge in a whirlwind of various activities.
The festival plans to make the most of its inaugural year by paving a unique path in the realm of music and arts festivals, specifically tailoring to the individuality of Bellingham’s various art scenes. Tickets, which start at $40 and include access to all four of the different event stages at the Quarry, can be purchased online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2907522.
Regarding the multiplicity of events at the festival, BAMF!’s official page reads, “peruse the grounds for art installations, art vendors, food vendors, a beer garden, and be sure to catch morning yoga led by local yogi.b. All art installs, vendors, and beer are local to Bellingham so bring your dollars to help support your community!” In addition to all of the above-mentioned vendors and installations, the main stages at the campgrounds will prominently feature music played through the 24 hours of the festival.
While the list of local bands and musicians at the festival runs some ten lines deep on a festival poster, some of the names that will be performing include Arbour, Babe Waves, Bob Fossil, Danny’s Dead, The Dawn Bombs, Lil Buddha, Metsa, Step Dads and Faux Pause. The full list of names can be found on BAMF!’s official Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/bellinghamartsandmusicfest/. The page also includes artist profiles for some of the bands and artists performing, so be sure to check out the Facebook event “BAMF! 2017 (Bellingham Arts & Music Festival)” for any additional information.
While tickets to the festival include all access and camping, they do not include parking, which will cost an additional $20. However, in a clever effort to reduce carbon footprint, the festival is offering a Clown Car Discount. If every seat in your car is filled, parking is completely free for the entirety of the event. In their own words, “Carpool! Bring your friends! Bring your mom!”
Camping is valid anywhere within the wooded area of the Quarry. BAMF! intends to leave no trace after the event, therefore the campsite will be littered with sorting bins for landfill, recycling and compost, and NOT with actual litter. Note: the festival will not be selling water bottles on site, so bring your water bottles and fill up at one of various filling stations around the festival.
The Quarry has a zero-tolerance policy towards violence of any kind, and festival goers are asked to not bring any outside alcohol or drugs to the event. Bring nothing but an adventurous spirit, dancing shoes, camping supplies, inclusive attitudes and an open mind for the festival. Anyone looking for a locally minded, unique camping festival need look no further than BAMF!