Motion picture production draws crowds to downtown Bellingham
On Wednesday, September 23, downtown Bellingham transformed into a Hollywood backlot as a major motion picture production centered on State Street, drawing crowds of late-night onlookers and generating excitement unusual for a city of its size. As reported by Cascadia Daily News, the filming brought festive holiday decor and a taste of the entertainment industry to local residents, with some even securing background casting roles through Alessi Hartigan Casting.
Production Transformations on State Street
Filming activity focused heavily on the music venue The Shakedown and its sister pinball bar, The Racket, both of which were closed for the production. Crew members decorated the exterior railings with festive red and green garlands, while red lights switched on late in the evening to illuminate snowflakes and baubles. According to Cascadia Daily News, these seasonal touches indicated that the scene was set during Christmastime, offering Windsor Building residents living directly above the venue a bird’s-eye view of the setup.
Crowds gathered along the perimeter and at the intersection of State Street and Chestnut Street to watch the operation unfold. Local resident Isaura Lopez, 24, told Cascadia Daily News that the event had energized the town. Another resident, Alexa Johnston, 24, noted that the presence of a film crew offered a special escape from everyday routines. Miranda DeJesus, 35, brought her young sons—ages 7 and 8—to watch the action, mentioning that one of her children is a fan of John Cena, who is rumored to be part of the cast.
Local Participation and Security
Beyond spectating, some residents secured direct involvement in the project. Eric Tennesen, 22, was accepted as an extra for the production, sharing his long-standing fascination with show business with Cascadia Daily News. Meanwhile, private security personnel managed the perimeter crowds. A security guard identified as Sugar declined to share his last name for security reasons, telling reporters that his primary focus was maintaining safety around the active set.
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