Massive Turnout at Lynden Candlelight Vigil Honoring Charlie Kirk

By Fernando Gonzalez

Sunday, September 14, 2025 | Lynden, Washington

LYNDEN, WA – Thousands gathered at Bender Fields in Lynden on Sunday evening for a candlelight vigil honoring the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk. The event drew one of the largest community turnouts in recent memory, with estimates placing attendance between 1500 and 3,000 people.

A Night of Faith and Unity

Bellingham Metro News arrived about 20 minutes before the vigil began and witnessed the steady flow of attendees filling the park. By nightfall, the fields were packed shoulder-to-shoulder with community members holding candles, sharing prayers, and reading Bible verses over the microphone. Many prayed openly in the crowd, while others draped themselves in American flags or wore patriotic and religious clothing, creating a striking visual of faith and unity.

Music was performed live on stage, including a set from local artist Marc Urban. The atmosphere was both solemn and uplifting. Despite the tragic circumstances surrounding Kirk’s death, the vigil reflected peace, hope, and solidarity among those present.

Coverage From the Ground

Bellingham Metro News covered the event with a full team on the ground. Editor-in-Chief Fernando Gonzalez live-streamed the vigil despite spotty internet service. Two streams reached nearly 600 viewers live and have since surpassed 100,000+ combined replays as of publication.

Civilian reporter Greg Thames captured photos and drone footage, including striking aerial views of the massive crowd. James Lynch provided immersive GoPro coverage from the ground, and additional nighttime drone images were contributed by Coleson Seigman.

Traffic and Security Presence

Traffic in Lynden was significant, with cars lining up along Edgewater, Homestead, and Bender Roads after the Bender Fields parking lot reached capacity. Even downtown Lynden was impacted by the heavy influx of vehicles.

Security presence was high, with both uniformed and plainclothes officers on site to ensure safety. The coordinated response helped maintain a calm environment, allowing participants to focus on honoring Kirk’s memory.

Historic Gathering

The vigil is already being remembered as one of the largest public gatherings in modern Lynden history, comparable to major concerts and festivals. For those who missed it, both Bellingham Metro News live streams remain archived and available on our Facebook page.

Following the event, BMN staff also met Cascadia Daily News reporters Charlotte Alden and Santiago Ochoa, marking the first dual coverage of a major regional event between the two outlets.

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Article by Fernando Gonzalez, Editor-in-Chief, Bellingham Metro News
Drone shots and high-quality photos were taken by civilian reporter Greg Thames. Night-time aerial images were provided by Coleson Seigman. Additional photography by Fernando Gonzalez.