Inclusion Festival, hosted by Whatcom Center for Early Learning (WCEL), is a free, family-friendly community celebration honoring Disability Pride, diverse abilities, and accessibility. Launched in 2026 and returning on July 31, 2027, the festival invites residents and visitors from across Whatcom County to connect, play, learn, and belong in an inclusive and welcoming environment.
While featuring many of the elements that make community festivals enjoyable, including live music, food vendors, craft vendors, a beer garden, and family-friendly activities, Inclusion Festival serves a purpose beyond entertainment. The event is designed to increase access to community resources and strengthen connections between individuals, families, and the organizations that support them.
More than 30 nonprofit organizations, service providers, and community partners participate in the festival, creating a centralized, easy-to-navigate space where attendees can learn about programs, services, and supports available throughout Whatcom County. By bringing these resources together in one accessible location, the festival helps reduce common barriers such as transportation challenges, lack of awareness, and the complexity of navigating multiple systems, making it easier for families and individuals to access the care, support, and opportunities they need.
In addition to celebration, the festival serves as a vital access point to resources that support basic needs and long-term wellbeing. Through connection, visibility, and community engagement, Inclusion Festival fosters inclusion while creating pathways for individuals and families to build stability, strengthen relationships, and thrive.
The festival also includes screenings of Crip Camp and Dear Grandpa, It's Michael. Crip Camp, the acclaimed documentary chronicling the disability rights movement, features an original score by Bellingham native Bear McCreary, the award-winning composer known for his work on Battlestar Galactica, Outlander, The Walking Dead, God of War, and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. His connection to Whatcom County adds a unique local dimension to a film that celebrates advocacy, community organizing, and the ongoing pursuit of disability rights and inclusion.
What makes Inclusion Festival unique is its intentional focus on accessibility and community impact. While many community festivals provide entertainment and gathering opportunities, Inclusion Festival is designed to directly connect attendees with resources, services, and support networks that can improve quality of life and long-term wellbeing. Every aspect of the event is planned with diverse needs in mind, creating an environment where people of all abilities can participate fully and comfortably.
By combining resource access, education, entertainment, and community connection in a single-day event, Inclusion Festival demonstrates that community events can be both fun and purposeful. The festival strengthens relationships between residents, families, service providers, businesses, and advocates while ensuring more people have access to the resources, opportunities, and sense of belonging they need to thrive in Whatcom County.
