Location: 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.

For more information visit www.orcanetwork.org.