Please join us for our Welcome the Whales Festival April 15th and 16th in Langley, WA!
Welcome the Whales is an annual event to honor and celebrate the arrival of a special group of gray whales known as the “Sounders”. These whales represent almost 20 animals, part of the Eastern Pacific gray whale population. During their northern migration from Baja California, they break off the migration route to feed on ghost shrimp for two to three months each spring in the North Puget Sound waters.
This year’s event is in honor of #49 Patch, one of the original Sounders gray whales who we lost in 2021.
The festival includes costume making, a parade through Langley, waterside ceremony, educational presentation by Cascadia Research Collective, Langley beach clean-up, and fundraiser gray whale cruise. We hope to see you there!
Saturday April 15th
11:00 – Costume making at the Langley United Methodist Church
1:30 – Whale and Critter Parade through Langley – come dressed as your favorite whale or marine animal
2:00 – Waterside ceremony at Whale Bell Park
3:30 – Educational Presentation by John Calambokidis of Cascadia Research Collective. This presentation will be held as a hybrid in-person/virtual.
Sunday April 16th
10:00 – Langley beach clean-up beginning at Whale Bell Park
2:00 – Fundraiser Gray Whale Cruise with Puget Sound Express. Leaves from Langley Marina. Cost $100/person. Register for the cruise below.
Special introductory #49 Patch T-Shirts designed by renowned local artist Jenn Rigg available now when you sign up for the cruise. Special offer for Welcome the Whales weekend - $28-$30 Introductory Patch T-Shirts are not available for shipping at this point and will be distributed on the cruise or available for pick-up at the Langley Whale Center.
Welcome the Whales presentation, parade, and costume making workshop are all free events. Your donations go a long way to help us continue these events in the future.
Orca Network thanks you for your generous donations and support.