Whatcom Poetry News and Events
A Toast to Mom: Poems & Pints
A Toast to Mom: Poems & Pints
Where: Structures Brewing 601 W. Holly St.
When: May 10, 2026 12pm-3pm
What: Typewriter poets composing custom poems, poetry pole raffle, kid activities
How much: $15/poem; $5/raffle ticket
All Ages?: YES
Celebrate Mom at Structures Brewing on Sunday, May 10th from 12pm–3pm! Bring the kids and treat her to an afternoon of good food and brews, laid-back Bellingham vibes, and something truly special: poetry composed just for her by celebrated local poets with their trusty typewriters. Listen to live music, paint a rock for Mom’s garden, and enter our raffle to win a beautiful garden poetry pole. Open to the public, this fundraiser for the Salish Sea Poetry Festival is an ode to all those with a mothering soul.
Poetry Contest Celebration to be Held May 28th in Bellingham, WA
On May 28, 2026, winners of the 21st annual Sue C. Boynton Poetry Contest will be announced at a public recognition ceremony at Bellingham Cruise Terminal, 255 Harris Avenue.
The public is invited to enjoy the free festivities beginning at 7pm. There will be live readings by the 20 winning poets, artistic displays of their work, music and light refreshments.
More than 295 entries were received from throughout the county from poets young and old.
Chapbooks of the winning poems will be available for purchase at the event.
Ten of the winning poems will be etched on display stands on the Poetry Walk in front of
Bellingham Public Library downtown. In addition, poetry placards will be posted inside
Whatcom Transportation Authority buses; in schools, libraries and online.
Winners were selected by two distinguished judges, Sam Wallin and Rebecca Mabanglo-Mayor.
Sam is a poet, theatre artist, playwright and teacher and helped organize the Salish Sea PoetryFestival. Working for Whatcom County Library System, he also leads collage and poetry workshops.
A storyteller, author and performance artist, Rebecca has published non-fiction,
poetry and short fiction.
For questions about the May 28 celebration please call Event Chair Leslie Wharton at
360.221.4226 or email her at:
Sue C. Boynton Poetry Contest is a program of Whatcom County Poetry Series, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. It was named for Sue Crocker Boynton, an early local resident who considered herself an amateur yet encouraged others to write.