Blaine
Where America begins

Getting There: Coming from Canada? Take the first exit after U.S. Customs
Traveling north? Take the last exit before Canada Customs

Blaine is either your first stop after entering the U.S.A. or your last stop before crossing into Canada. Either way, it’s worth more than a cursory lookaround. The town has spent much effort on shaking off its border town atmosphere and it’s time well-spent.

Peace Portal Drive is the main drag and overlooks the harbor and Semiahmoo Bay. Two new waterside plazas have been constructed, one of which contains a sculpture of two women and a boy looking out to sea for the return of their fishermen. Sculpted by Bob McDermott, the piece recognizes the role played by the wives, mothers and children of fishermen who were left behind to run the household and worry about the safety of their menfolk. Local residents were the models for the sculpture which was paid for through a public fundraising effort.

The other plaza is used for public events such as open air movie nights or as a venue for performances during the annual jazz festival.

Scattered around town and in Peace Arch State Park are sculptures that have been placed as part of the U.S./Canadian Peace An-niversary Association’s annual International Sculpture Exhibit. Sculptors from around the world participate in this event.

Of course, the biggest public monument around is the Peace Arch monument, standing on the border between Canada and the U.S. Built to commemorate peaceful relations between Canada and the United States, the Peace Arch was dedicated at a ceremony on September 6, 1921. It is 67 feet tall and is marked with the words, Brethren Dwelling Together in Unity on the Canadian side, and Children of A Common Mother, on the American side.

Surrounding the arch is Peace Arch Provincial Park to the north and Peace Arch State Park to the south. Its gardens, picnic and photogenic qualities make it a popular stop. Blaine Marine Park, immediately to the west of the state park, is often the first stop of visiting bird watchers. The warm waters of the bay and the fresh water of Cain Creek act as a magnet for migrating birds. There are interpretive signs, life size orca dorsal and fluke sculptures, picnic areas and a walkway that leads down to the pier at the foot of Marine Drive. The pier is used by young children for heart-stopping jumps into the water, for locals throwing crab traps over or those looking for a picturesque sunset. Next to the Pizza Factory on Peace Portal Drive is the visitor center.

Beginning May 23 and running every weekend until Labor Day, the historic Plover ferry runs across from Blaine Harbor to the Semiahmoo Resort, site of former salmon canneries. The Plover used to carry cannery workers back and forth to work. Rides are by donation. Blaine Harbor is a working harbor as well as a very popular recreational marina. The marina holds nearly 700 slips. Boats can clear U.S. Customs from the large guest dock by calling ahead.

Walk down Peace Portal Drive and admire the hanging baskets, and the street end ‘parklets’ that provide views of the harbor.

If you can, be in Blaine for the 4th of July. A small-town parade and festival is great fun and the fireworks display is sure to thrill people of all ages.

Don’t miss:
• An old fashioned 4th of July parade & street fair on Peace Portal Drive
• Crabbing off the Marine Drive Pier
• A stroll on Semiahmoo Spit after taking the historic Plover ferry from Blaine Harbor
• Viewing the sculptures in Peace Arch State Park & elsewhere in the city of Blaine.

Events

May – October: Peace Arch Park International Sculpture Exhibition
July 4: Blaine’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration
July 6 – 12: Blaine Jazz Festival for Teens
July 12: Peace Portal Street Fair
July 19: Sunsets, Sculptures & Serenades Concert
July 26: A Celebration of Summer Wines
August 5: International Sculpture Exhibition 10th Anniversary Garden Party
August 10, 17, 24, 31: Peace Arch State Park Asian Concert Series
August 23: Art at the Winery
September 8: Peace Arch Dedication “Sam Hill” Days
September 13: Arctic Chamber Orchestra Performance

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