Expanding community spaces is part of what Shifting Gears does best, so it’s no surprise their Sippin’ on Cider Festival is rolling into its sixth year with plans of being bigger and better than ever.
Shifting Gears is a Bellingham-based nonprofit that empowers women of all walks of life to dive into outdoor recreation. “Cost, intimidation, lack of gear, lack of experience, there’re all kinds of barriers that keep women from participating [in outdoor recreation],” says Shifting Gears Executive Director Diane Bedell. “But the benefits are so huge that we want to do everything we can to reduce those barriers.”
Founded in 2017 by “four women who thought that women deserve to take up space outdoors,” Shifting Gears now facilitates a well-established platform of programs and events. Their programs provide access and education, giving women first-hand experience in mountain biking, road biking, hiking, backpacking/bikepacking, sea kayaking, rock climbing, and even backcountry skiing and avalanche rescue in the winter.
What sets Shifting Gears’ programs apart is their focus on community and encouragement. Shifting Gears often offers these programs on sliding scales and at low or no cost. That’s where fundraising events like Sippin’ on Cider come in. They also run their wildly successful Bellingham Bike Swap event annually, which drew in 845 total participants and $60,000 in sales in three hours this year. At Bike Swap, community members can drop off bikes and gear to sell, and 30% of each sale goes to Shifting Gears.
Sippin’ on Cider, an age-21-and-up festival, aims to celebrate ciders amongst Bellingham’s beer-centric brew scene.
“We wanted to do something a little different and provide an opportunity for the cideries in town,” says Bedell. “It was very well received, and we continue to try to grow it.”
Your regular $40 entry comes with eight tasting tickets. Local and regional cideries share pours in pint-sized mason jars. This year, cideries include Lost Giants Cider Company, Bellingham Cider Company, Terramar Brewstillery, Seattle Cider Company, Greenwood Cider Company, Offset Ciderworks, and Stones Throw Brewery.
Of course, the fun doesn’t end with the cider! There’ll be a Sawyer & Pals food truck, a raffle, games, and live music. Move with Ranae will lead Hip Hop Dancing to get everyone moving!
Although Bedell describes the event as “a little low-key,” they drew around 300 participants last year and received a grant from the City of Bellingham’s tourism commission for this year. For those in the know, it’s becoming a bit of a fall kickoff party.
“People have leaned into [using it] as an opportunity to celebrate the change of the season,” says Bedell. “You know, it’s that time of year when people are starting to nest a little bit. Sweater weather kicks in and you feel that change in the air…it’s just a time for warm soups, fresh pies, and the best of local ciders.”
This year’s Sippin’ on Cider will take place Oct. 17, from 2–7 p.m., at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. Shifting Gears has nine events planned for September, so jump in, break some barriers, and make some friends!
Bellingham, 360.230.8445, letsshiftgears.org
Photograph courtesy of Shifting Gears
