Guests at the 2025 Bellingham Festival of Music Charity Auction enthusiastically raise numbered paddles during a live auction. The festive atmosphere is enhanced by string lights and paper lanterns overhead, with elegantly decorated tables and a full crowd engaged in the spirited bidding.

2026 Benefit Auction

Rhapsody in Blue

Live Auction and Dinner

Saturday, March 21, 2026

– New Location –

Hotel Bellwether

1 Bellwether Way
Bellingham, WA 98225

Do you have Auction items to pick up?

Gift certificates will be mailed to winning bidders approximately two weeks following the auction. To pick up your other online auction purchases please contact Jan Vereen at janvereen@gmail.com. Winning bidders living outside the area should call the Festival at 360.201.6621 to make shipping arrangements at their personal expense.

Thank you to our sponsors

Gala Evening Sponsor

Logo graphic for Lynda Hinton Real Estate.

Auction Co-Sponsor

Logo graphic for RAM Construction.

Auction Co-Sponsor

Graphic logo for the Chuckanut Health Foundation.
Logo graphic for Dawson Construction.
Logo graphic for Elder Law Attorneys.
Graphic logo for Washington Health Insurance Professionals.
Graphic logo for Neeter House of Luxury.
Graphic logo for Mercedes of Bellingham.
Logo graphic for Old World Deli.
Logo graphic for Waycross Investment Management Company.
Logo graphic for Whatcom Educational Credit Union.
Logo graphic for Financial Plan Inc.
Larson Gross CPAs Logo
Logo graphic for IMCO.
Logo for Industrial Credit Union.
Graphic logo for Birch Equipment Rental.
Graphic logo for Team Stauffer Realtors.

Enjoy photos from this year's auction

A woman in a black tuxedo jacket and white lace blouse smiling warmly while seated at a formal gala dinner.
An older man wearing glasses and a pearl necklace holding up auction paddle number 164 during a live event.
A woman in a black plunging halter dress raising her hand to place a bid at a crowded gala auction.
A male auctioneer in a tuxedo speaking into a microphone on a stage with blue curtains and large illuminated 'BFM' letters.
A woman in 1920s flapper-style attire, including a beaded headband with feathers and pearls, posing with her hands to her head.
A man in a navy pinstripe suit smiling as he holds up a 'RAM' bidding card from the Chuckanut Health Foundation.
A woman in a white embroidered blouse and blue skirt speaking into a microphone on stage, with a presentation slide about education outreach in the background.
Two women standing on stage in front of a blue glitter backdrop and lit-up 'BFM' letters during a community event.
An auctioneer in a suit gesturing dramatically with one hand up while speaking into a microphone on a stage with vibrant blue lighting.
A woman dressed in 1920s flapper attire adjusts a black beaded headband with feathers. She wears a black sequined dress, red lipstick, and a long pearl necklace, smiling toward the side
Two large blue information boards titled "Festival Outreach: Welcome Home." The boards feature photos of various musicians and a written history of the program, displayed next to a gold trumpet decorated with blue feathers.
A display board titled "Hosting a Musician" sits on a table overlooking the marina. The table holds sign-up sheets, a bottle of wine, and a trumpet centerpiece with white feathers.
A formal dinner table (Table 13) at the gala, featuring a tall centerpiece of white ostrich feathers and pearls. The table is set with blue linens, gold napkins, and multiple wine glasses, with a "Pacific Audio Productions" van visible through the window.
A silent auction table featuring a "Quartz Jewelry" set on a mannequin bust, a "Bowling and Busco" sign-up sheet, and several bottles of wine. A gold trumpet with white feathers serves as the centerpiece.
A group of ten women stand in a line on a stage in front of a blue tinsel backdrop. They are dressed in formal evening wear, ranging from colorful blouses to sequined gowns, posing for a group portrait.
A large LED screen displays the Bellingham Festival of Music logo and the title "Rhapsody in Blue Dinner & Live Auction" in stylized Art Deco font. The screen is flanked by dark curtains and illuminated "BFM" marquee letters on a stage.
A smiling couple poses with champagne glasses. The woman wears a purple velvet dress and pearls; the man wears a dark suit over a striped shirt.
Four women stand at an interactive photo booth. One woman in a black suit points toward the ring light and camera while the others look on and smile.
A young man with curly hair wearing a black tuxedo plays a grand piano. He is positioned in front of a large window overlooking the Bellingham waterfront and marina during the golden hour.
Two men smile for a photo during a cocktail hour. The man on the left is older with a white beard, wearing a dark navy suit and a vibrant purple patterned bowtie. The man on the right wears a bright blue tuxedo with a classic black bowtie and thick-rimmed glasses, holding a martini glass with an olive.
Four individuals are seated around a small, square black table in a lounge area with striped wallpaper. On the left, an older man in a tuxedo and name tag sits next to a woman in a black blazer and white lace blouse. To the right, another woman in a floral blouse sits across from a man in a light blue sweater and black blazer.
Three guests pose together, dressed in 1920s-inspired formal wear. The man on the left wears a black three-piece tuxedo. The man in the center wears a pinstriped vest, a black fedora, and a bowtie with a cigar tucked into his pocket. The woman on the right wears a black beaded flapper-style dress with a feathered headband and bright red lipstick.
A man with a white beard in a grey tweed suit and pearl necklace stands next to a man dressed in an elaborate 18th-century style costume, featuring a powdered-style brown wig, a ruffled cravat, and a cream-colored frock coat. The man in costume holds a champagne flute and a small appetizer.
A tall man in a striking, bright blue three-piece suit with a patterned teal shirt smiles broadly alongside a woman in a blue patterned blouse. Both are holding wine glasses and appear to be laughing. A server with a tray of drinks is visible in the background.
A wide view of a large ballroom prepared for a gala. The room features round tables with navy blue linens, gold napkins, and tall white feather centerpieces. A long blue carpet runner acts as a central aisle, and the ceiling is draped with elegant white fabric swags and crystal chandeliers.
A group of eight people stand on a stage with a black curtain backdrop, many with their arms raised in celebration or cheering. They are dressed in various formal and semi-formal styles. To the left, a man in a grey suit waves, while a woman in a black dress in the center cheers enthusiastically.
A close-up portrait of a woman with short brown hair and glasses, resting her chin on her hand and smiling at the camera. She is wearing a teal sleeveless dress and several strands of pearl bracelets. Other guests are visible in the soft-focus background at her dinner table.
A wide-angle shot from the back of the ballroom during the event. Guests are seated at tables facing a stage where a speaker is standing in front of large "BFM" light-up letters. The blue carpet runner leads the eye toward the stage under the white draped ceiling and glowing chandeliers.

Photos copyright Zachary C. Person