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25th Annual Children’s Art Walk applauds youth artistry in Bellingham

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The 25th Annual Children’s Art Walk kicks off with their opening reception from 5 -8 p.m. on Friday, May 2, in downtown Bellingham.

The Children’s Art Walk is a two-week event in which 60 local businesses have partnered up with Allied Arts to display art from students around Whatcom County. The Art Walk celebrates the local youth and their creativity during Washington’s Art Education Month.

“It’s a wonderful way to get families and kids downtown enjoying the arts and celebrating their kids’ achievements. It’s just so wonderful to watch the kids standing at the windows looking at their pieces and talking to their parents about it,” said Kelly Hart, Allied Arts’ executive director.

The Art Walk includes activities for kids and adults, music, puppet shows and performances by students and instructors.

CAW 2024 puppets.jpg

Puppets by Columbia Elementary students at Allied Arts of Whatcom County on May 3, 2024, during Children’s Art Walk, in Bellingham, Wash. This year’s events include music, puppet shows and performances by students and instructors. // Photo courtesy of Kelly Hart

BellinghamART has participated in the Art Walk for the last couple of years. The Art Walk aligns with BellinghamART’s annual Art Show, where students submit artwork and host an open house to share their pieces with family and friends. 

“If kids are on a sports team or something like that, there’s games and ways to kind of showcase what they’re doing, but with art, it’s more of a quiet, solitary thing. And a lot of times you get kids who are more on the shy end or a little bit quieter. So, it’s really cool to have a night where we can celebrate what they’ve been doing and their passion,” said Emily Zimmerman, BellinghamART’s owner and a teacher.

Not only does it empower kids to see their own art on public display, but seeing other kids’ art shows them  they are part of a larger artistic community, said Ashley Mask, an art and museum education professor at Western Washington University.

”They see this community cares about kids and respects their artistic work enough to display it. It’s such a powerful positive message for young people to see it out there,” Mask said. “For other people walking around downtown during that time when all the artwork is up, it’s such a joyful space to be in, to see all of that creativity.”

Currently, school districts with more than 200 enrolled students only require at least one visual art or one performing art class throughout the school year, according to the Washington State Legislature.

“Music already has a very strong footprint in many elementary schools for a variety of reasons. Most schools don’t have an art teacher,” Mask said.

To combat the lack of art in education in schools, the Allied Arts Education Project, founded in 2002, has 16 teaching artists that go into schools and teach art classes. It is one of the biggest art education programs in the state, said Hart.

“Arts education provides a variety of different opportunities for kids, where so many of our kids know English as a second language or have learning disabilities,” Hart said . “It’s a way for them to communicate other than the usual writing and communication opportunities that are usually traditional school classes. And it teaches them to be innovative. It teaches them to be creative. It helps them develop their own identity. ”

Children are making sense of the world in all sorts of ways, and art is a part of that, said Mask.

“They’re mark-making with a stick in the sand. They’re sculpting with mud and clay. It’s a very natural thing for us to make. I think it’s especially important right now that art be talked about,  written about and centered because it’s incredibly important in helping humanity make sense of things,” Mask said. “We as human beings are makers.”

The Art Walk is funded through Bellingham Public Schools, the Washington State Arts Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts and fundraising cards. 

The fundraising cards are of pieces that were exhibited during the Art Walk. They are selected by Allied Arts’ VIP group. Each VIP member selects their favorite pieces and of those, three or four are selected to be reproduced as cards each year.

Not all of the cards are on display, but they are rotated and most of them are available on Allied Arts’ website.

The map of the Art Walk will be available on the Allied Arts website on and paper versions will be available at participating businesses.

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Art on display at Allied Arts of Whatcom County on May 3, 2024, during Children’s Art Walk, in Bellingham, Wash. The map for the Art Walk will be available on the Allied Arts website, and printed copies will be available at the participating businesses. // Photo courtesy of Kelly Hart

”One of my favorite times to go around and look at all the work is on Saturday morning, because there aren’t the crowds, and you can just walk down the street and see it all,” Hart said.

Allied Arts is still accepting volunteers for the Art Walk. Western students can volunteer to help with the installation and takedown of the artworks. After the pieces are taken down, they are returned to the students who created  them.

“I’m really grateful for Allied Arts for putting all this work into the arts in Bellingham in general. And then having a specific Art Walk for kids,” Zimmerman said. “It’s really special and not a way that kids’ art normally gets celebrated.”


Claire Mayne

Claire Mayne (she/her) is a city life reporter for The Front this quarter. She is a second-year at Western majoring in public relations and minoring in philosophy. When she’s not working on a story, she likes baking, listening to audiobooks and enjoying the outdoors with friends. You can reach her at clairemayne.thefront@gmail.com. 




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If Parents Want Youth Sports To Keep Going, It’s Time To Step Up

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We often hear parents complain about how the “village” that our parents always talked about no longer exists. Everyone is insular. No one talks to their neighbors. No one wants to branch out, lend a hand, or start some sort of community. We’re all just so tired, and that’s totally fair.

But we still need the village. We still hope that the kids will turn out right, and one guy says that it’s all up to us to make it so, especially when it comes to youth sports and shaping boys during those tough developmental years.

“You have to coach a youth sports team,” TikTok user Arkansas Traveler begins in his now-viral video.

“You have to coach a youth sports team. The people who did it when you were kids are old now. It is your turn.”

Then, he directs his attention to the adult men.

“Men, you have to coach youth boys’ sports teams so that they learn how to be vulnerable when they are facing stressful situations in front of other boys. You need to teach them not to suppress their emotions because that’s the message they’re going to get at youth sports teams. They’re going to learn to suppress their emotions so that they don’t look weak in front of the other boys, unless you go coach youth sports teams,” he said.

“You might think that young boys suppressing their emotions doesn’t really affect your life. Wrong, wrong, wrong. These young boys will soon become young men in your community, and you don’t want violent, emotionally suppressive young men in your community. You want young men who learned how to be vulnerable on a football field at their young age. You want young men who had a coach who said, ‘It’s okay to cry when things get hard as long as you keep pushing forward.’”

He makes the case that it’s the youth sports coaches of the world who actually have a huge hand in how this generation of young boys will be raised, and if we want a more progressive, open, and emotionally-regulated generation of young men, other men need to put in the work.

“You want young men in your community who had a coach who said, ‘Don’t call people bitches because that’s a slur, and we will respect women and non-men in this community.’ But if you don’t coach youth sports teams, you will not get those young men.”

After his post went viral, several TikTok users agreed with the OP’s opinion, and one TikTok user pointed out that this also applies to young girl’s sports.

“Ladies we need to be coaching girls youth sports teams!!!!! Teach them another girls talent doesn’t diminish yours, other women will be the most important people in your life, and there’s more important things than beauty and male attention,” she wrote.

Another wrote, “Moms you have to coach too don’t let the dads with a crooked swing coach (im not letting my 15 years of hitting lessons go to waste)”

One user said, “If you’re feeling helpless about the future, this is a great way to make an impact. My son still thinks fondly of his coaches but unfortunately millennials and Gen’z don’t realize WE ARE THE ADULTS”

“Coaching middle school age basketball and track. PLEASE GO COACH!!! These kids do not understand competitive environments or have the confidence to compete to their fullest capability. They give up so easily bc they don’t know what it’s like to be challenged!!! PLEASE CHALLENGE THESE KIDS!! They need it!!” another echoed.

And if you cannot make the time commitment to coach, show up to the games. Volunteer at a practice. Take the time to talk with your kid. It can make all the difference.





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Discover Kalamazoo says tourism down in 2025, but will improve by 2027 | WKZO | Everything Kalamazoo

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KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Discover Kalamazoo’s head honcho says 2025 was a slower year for local tourism.

She expects the same for 2026, but there is a lot to look forward to after that.

Tourism CEO Jane Ghosh recently gave Kalamazoo County commissioners a briefing on her organization’s status.

She says the “K”-shaped economy following the pandemic has hit lower income families harder nationwide and in our region, reducing travel.

“2025 was a tougher year, and so for the first time since I’ve been there, we have missed budget, that is primarily due to economy hotels are performing very poorly.”

Ghosh expects that to continue into the new year.

“2026 will be a challenging year, we’re budgeting conservatively because there’s still economic uncertainty that is impacting primarily the economy hotels.”

She says after that, things look rosier, regardless of the economy.

“2027 is gonna be a phenomenal year because we’ll have the Event Center, the youth sports facility, the State Theatre will be back open. It’ll be great.”

She says she expects about a $150,000 reduction from the accommodations tax this year.

Ghosh she says she plans to maintain funding for advertising the community but will be cutting some other programs that notify local businesses about big events, and making other cuts to balance her budget.

 



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Sports Tourism Emerges as Economic Engine for Regional Growth

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Key Takeaways

  • Youth and amateur sports generated $52.2 billion in travel-related spending nationally last year, outpacing spectator sports tourism’s $47.1 billion
  • Arkansas outdoor recreation contributed $7.3 billion to the state economy in 2023, supporting more than 68,000 jobs
  • Statewide tourism reached $17.4 billion in economic impact in 2024, with Northwest Arkansas playing a significant role
  • Fayetteville has attracted interest from the Women’s Football League, Athletes Unlimited Softball League, and Marshall Islands Soccer Federation
  • Purpose-built facilities like Centennial Park have enabled the city to host world-class cycling events including upcoming USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships

Youth and Amateur Sports Lead Travel Spending

Sports tourism has become one of the most consistent economic drivers in the country, and youth and amateur sports are leading the way. According to the Sports Events & Tourism Association, youth and amateur sports contributed $52.2 billion in travel-related spending last year. That figure surpasses spectator sports tourism, which generated $47.1 billion in direct spending and supported more than 665,000 jobs nationwide.

Ryan Hauck, CEO of Experience Fayetteville, the city’s tourism marketing agency, outlined the opportunity in a recent guest commentary. He noted that while leisure and business travel have softened nationally, sports-related travel has continued to rise, providing stability that communities increasingly depend on.

Arkansas Sees Measurable Returns

The numbers in Arkansas reinforce the broader trend. Outdoor recreation alone contributed $7.3 billion to the statewide economy in 2023, supporting more than 68,000 jobs. Tourism overall reached $17.4 billion in economic impact in 2024, with Northwest Arkansas playing a major role in that growth.

For cities like Fayetteville, this translates into hotel stays, restaurant visits, retail traffic, and extended visibility for local assets. Hauck emphasized that when communities lean into their strengths, including outdoor recreation, hospitality, accessibility, and local culture, the returns are significant.

Facility Investment Attracts National Events

Fayetteville’s Centennial Park illustrates how purpose-built infrastructure can unlock sports tourism opportunities. The facility was designed to host world-class cycling events and has already welcomed the 2022 UCI Cyclocross World Championships. It will host the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships in December 2025, with a return engagement the following year.

“These events don’t just bring athletes. They bring national attention, media coverage, and significant economic impact for our hotels and hospitality businesses,” Hauck wrote.

Beyond cycling, the city has drawn interest from the Women’s Football League, Athletes Unlimited Softball League, and Marshall Islands Soccer Federation about hosting future events.

Hauck called for continued strategic investment in purpose-built sports facilities and deeper regional partnerships. The broader takeaway for youth sports operators and municipal leaders is clear: communities that invest intentionally in sports infrastructure and programming are positioning themselves to capture a growing share of travel-related spending. With youth and amateur sports now outpacing spectator sports in economic contribution, the opportunity extends well beyond professional leagues.

via: Talk Business
photo: Sports MNGT Degrees


YSBR provides this content on an “as is” basis without any warranties, express or implied. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, legality, reliability, or use of the information, including any images, videos, or licenses associated with this article. For any concerns, including copyright issues or complaints, please contact YSBR directly.


About Youth Sports Business Report

Youth Sports Business Report is the largest and most trusted source for youth sports industry news, insights, and analysis covering the $54 billion youth sports market. Trusted by over 50,000 followers including industry executives, investors, youth sports parents and sports business professionals, we are the premier destination for comprehensive youth sports business intelligence.

Our core mission: Make Youth Sports Better. As the leading authority in youth sports business reporting, we deliver unparalleled coverage of sports business trendsyouth athletics, and emerging opportunities across the youth sports ecosystem.

Our expert editorial team provides authoritative, in-depth reporting on key youth sports industry verticals including:

  • Sports sponsorship and institutional capital (Private Equity, Venture Capital)
  • Youth Sports events and tournament management
  • NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) developments and compliance
  • Youth sports coaching and sports recruitment strategies
  • Sports technology and data analytics innovation
  • Youth sports facilities development and management
  • Sports content creation and digital media monetization

Whether you’re a sports industry executive, institutional investor, youth sports parent, coach, or sports business enthusiast, Youth Sports Business Report is your most reliable source for the actionable sports business insights you need to stay ahead of youth athletics trends and make informed decisions in the rapidly evolving youth sports landscape.

Join our growing community of 50,000+ industry leaders who depend on our trusted youth sports business analysis to drive success in the youth sports industry.

Stay connected with the pulse of the youth sports business – where industry expertise meets actionable intelligence.

Sign up for the biggest newsletter in Youth Sports – Youth Sports HQ – The best youth sports newsletter in the industry 

Follow us on LinkedIn

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Are you a brand looking to tap into the world’s most passionate fanbase… youth sports?

Introducing Play Up Partners, a leading youth sports marketing agency connecting brands with the power of youth sports. We specialize in youth sports sponsorships, partnerships, and activations that drive measurable results.

About Play Up Partners

Play Up Partners is a leading youth sports marketing agency connecting brands with the power of youth sports. We specialize in youth sports sponsorships, partnerships, and activations that drive measurable results.

Why Sponsor Youth Sports?

Youth sports represents one of the most engaged and passionate audiences in sports marketing. With over 70 million young athletes and their families participating annually, the youth sports industry offers brands unparalleled access to motivated communities with strong purchasing power and loyalty.

What Does Play Up Partners Do?

We’ve done the heavy lifting to untangle the complex youth sports landscape so our brand partners can engage with clarity, confidence, and impact. Our vetted network of accredited youth sports organizations (from local leagues to national tournaments and operators) allows us to create flexible, scalable programs that evolve with the market.

Our Approach

Every partnership we build is rooted in authenticity and value creation. We don’t just broker deals. We craft youth sports marketing strategies that:

  • Deliver measurable ROI for brand partners
  • Create meaningful experiences for athletes and families
  • Elevate the youth sports ecosystem

Our Vision

We’re positioning youth sports as the most desirable and effective platform in sports marketing. Our mission is simple: MAKE YOUTH SPORTS BETTER for athletes, families, organizations, and brand partners.


Common Questions About Youth Sports Marketing

Where can I sponsor youth sports? How do I activate in youth sports? What is the ROI of youth sports marketing? How much does youth sports sponsorship cost?

We have answers. Reach out to info@playuppartners.com to learn how Play Up Partners can help your brand navigate the youth sports landscape.

Youth sports organizations: Interested in partnership opportunities? Reach out to learn about our accreditation process.



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Washington Capitals to Celebrate Youth Hockey Weekend from Jan. 2-4

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ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals will celebrate Youth Hockey Weekend from Jan. 2-4, highlighted by Youth Hockey Night presented by GEICO on Saturday, Jan. 3, when the Capitals host the Chicago Blackhawks at Capital One Arena. The weekend’s festivities celebrate and spotlight the Capitals’ array of on- and off-ice programming designed to engage youth from across the Washington, D.C., region with hockey. The Capitals offer more than 30 ways to play hockey through on- and off-ice programming for participants age four and above, and more than 27,000 individuals have participated in a Caps Youth Hockey event since 2018.

Highlights of the Capitals’ celebration of youth hockey include:

Friday, Jan. 2 – Youth Hockey Clinics | MedStar Capitals Iceplex

The Capitals will host an ALL CAPS ALL HER (ACAH) clinic and a co-ed youth hockey clinic at MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Friday, Jan. 2. Led by Caps Youth Hockey Development program instructors and ambassadors, the clinics will focus on development and competitive games. They will also feature appearances by Capitals alumni Craig Laughlin and Paul Mulvey.

The ACAH platform aims to provide access to hockey and elevate the game for women and girls in the Washington, D.C., area, while recognizing players, coaches, parents, advocates and leaders in the community. Since the platform’s launch in 2021, ACAH programs and events have engaged over 5,000 women and girls with the sport of hockey. Click here for more information on the platform.

Saturday, Jan. 3 – Open Practice | MedStar Capitals Iceplex

Youth hockey players are encouraged to attend Capitals practice on Sunday, Jan. 3 while wearing their youth hockey jerseys. Any attendee who arrives wearing their youth hockey or program jersey will receive a giveaway item.

Saturday, Jan. 3 – Youth Hockey Night presented by GEICO | Capital One Arena

The Capitals will celebrate Youth Hockey Night presented by GEICO on Saturday, Jan. 3, when the team hosts the Chicago Blackhawks at Capital One Arena at 7 p.m. All fans who purchase tickets for that night’s game here will receive a roll of Capitals stick tape.

Pre-Game Arrivals: Select youth hockey players from throughout the region will walk with Capitals players during pre-game arrivals. Each Capitals player will be paired with a local youth player, with both wearing the youth player’s team jersey.

The youth players will represent the American Special Hockey Association, Capitals Inline Hockey League (a co-ed league established to provide a unified travel league for existing inline hockey players looking to expand their opportunities to play), high schools and youth hockey clubs. These teams include: Active Play, Ashburn Xtreme, Fauquier Dragons, Fort Dupont Cannons, Frederick Gargoyles, Fredericksburg Phantoms, Landon School Bears, Madison Wildfire, Montgomery Cheetahs, Montgomery Ice Devils, Navy Youth Hockey, NOVA Fury, Piedmont Predators, Potomac Lady Patriots, Reston Raiders, Richmond Renegades, Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, The St. James, Tucker Road Ducks Washington Pride and Winchester Revolution.

Warmups: Six youth hockey players from ACAH, Future Caps Learn to Play presented by World Wide Technology and the Capitals Rising Stars Academy will watch warmups on the Capitals bench.

Starting Lineups: Six players from Future Caps Learn to Play presented by World Wide Technology will take to the ice with the Capitals starting lineup in honor of Youth Hockey Day. A participant from Future Caps Learn to Play will read the team’s starting lineup with PA announcer Wes Johnson.

In-Game Elements: In-arena entertainment and social content throughout the evening will highlight Capitals Youth Hockey programming. This includes the jumbotron showing Capitals players during their youth hockey days. Additionally, two local youth referees will meet that night’s NHL referees before joining them on the ice for the national anthem. The first intermission Mites on Ice presented by BMW will be comprised of players from the Piedmont Predators 8U team, and the second intermission will feature a relay race presented by GEICOwith players from the Piedmont Predators and Montgomery Youth Hockey Association Ice Devils 14U teams.

Sunday, Jan. 4 – Youth Hockey Events | The Wharf

To conclude the weekend’s festivities, the Capitals will host a Future Caps Learn to Play class and a Capitals Rising Stars Academy family skate at The Wharf on Sunday, Jan. 4.

Future Caps Learn to Play presented by World Wide Technology: The initiative is developed in collaboration with the National Hockey League (NHL) and National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA). The NHL and NHLPA have identified the need for a unified growth strategy as a priority for the sport of hockey. The Future Caps Learn to Play program aims to be the gold standard for youth hockey programs with the goal of inspiring more families to join the hockey community. Learn to Play changes the way youth hockey is offered by providing first-time participants free head-to-toe equipment, eight classes of age appropriate on-ice instruction and certified coaching in a fun and safe atmosphere. Click here for more information or to register for the program.

Rising Stars Academy (RSA): The Capitals Rising Stars Academy advances diversity, equity and inclusion in hockey by offering elite skill development and mentorship for local hockey players of color and their families. Through onice training, office conditioning and guided discussions about hockey culture, the RSA builds both physical and mental strength. Click here for more information or to register for the RSA.

Youth Hockey Development in the Washington, D.C., Region

The Capitals offer more than 30 ways to play hockey through on- and off-ice programming for participants age four and above, and more than 27,000 individuals have participated in a Caps Youth Hockey event since 2018. To date, the Capitals have refurbished or built 14 outdoor street/inline hockey rinks across Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia to further encourage participation in hockey. According to USA Hockey, overall, there’s been significant growth in participation in the D.C. area since Alex Ovechkin was drafted. The total number of USA Hockey-registered players (youth and adult) in the Washington D.C. area climbed more than 186 percent from 2005-06 through 2024-25, and 70% across the region as a whole during the same time frame.

For additional information on Caps Youth Hockey programming, visit CapsYouthHockey.com.



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Nevada youth rank last in sports participation. Will rising costs make it worse? | Laughlin Times

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Redding named to Youth LEAD Georgia

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Redding named to Youth LEAD Georgia

Published 9:27 am Monday, December 29, 2025

ATHENS — A Colquitt County student is among 30 high school students who’ve been selected for the Youth LEAD Georgia 2026 cohort. 

Elizabeth Redding will join her peers for a transformative year-long leadership initiative facilitated by the University of Georgia’s J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development in partnership with Chick-fil-A, according to a press release from Youth LEAD Georgia.

The program equips youth with the skills and knowledge necessary to tackle challenges that impact Georgia’s vitality as future leaders of the state, the press release said. A $1.5 million pledge from Chick-fil-A to the UGA Fanning Institute provides financial support for Youth LEAD Georgia. Thanks to this support, the program is available at no cost to participants. 

These 10th- and 11th-grade students, representing 27 different counties, were reviewed by an external selection committee from a record pool of nominations, reflecting growing interest and competitiveness in the program. 

Participants will take part in four weekend retreats held throughout the year in different regions of the state, a week-long summer bus tour visiting areas not covered in the retreats and a two-day statewide youth summit in Athens. Experiential learning is accompanied by dialogue on current topics facing the state, and interaction with business and community leaders. 

Alongside hands-on learning, participants can apply for Bullard Community Champions grants, using their newly acquired skills to lead impactful community service projects in their local areas. These grants are made possible through funding from Regions Bank and Rodney Bullard, CEO of The Same House.  

Programming will begin in January.



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