Community Events

Adopt a pet from Animal Services and beat the “back to school blues”! A furry companion would be a nice addition to your home, and these pets won’t outgrow their clothes, need new shoes or money for college. See these adoptable pets today!

It’s not too early for Tumwater youth to register for competitive winter basketball! Boys & girls in grades 2 through 8 can sign up for a recreational league, and there is registration for competitive teams (not individual players) in grades 6 to 8. Volunteer coaches are needed, too! Register online by Friday, September 28th!

Make a difference in the life of a family caregiver! The Alzheimer’s Association is recruiting volunteers to facilitate an evening caregiver support group in Tacoma. Commitment of at least one year is required and the rewards are huge: volunteers are part of an organization whose vision is a world without Alzheimer’s! Through Wednesday, October 3rd.

Order your fresh, fresh Fuji apples by September 30 and support local Lions projects like Camp Leo summer camp for children with diabetes.  You get a 40-pound box of Washington grown apples for just $40 – delivered to you mid October. And 100% of proceeds for every Lions project goes back to the community through Lions service projects – yep, that’s right – every penny! Great apples, great price and a really great cause – order today by text or phone at 360 561-5154. The Lions and those youngsters with diabetes will thank you! Call or text today!  360 561-5154.

See “Red,” the searing stage show about an artist’s ambition and vulnerability! In the play, abstract expressionist Mark Rothko has landed a huge commission to create murals for New York’s famed Four Seasons Restaurant, and works feverishly with a young assistant, who eventually challenges the artist. Rothko realizes that his crowning achievement could also be his undoing in “Red,” a raw and provocative statement. Thursday-Sunday, September 20th-30th, 7:25pm (Sundays at 1:55pm).

See the late Neil Simon’s “Brighton Beach Memoirs” and get a portrait of the writer as a young teen! Lakewood Playhouse presents a hilarious look at young Simon’s life in a struggling Jewish family, where his father states, “if you didn’t have a problem, you wouldn’t be living here.” This play contains language that may not be suitable for children. Fridays-Sundays through September 30th.

Don’t miss Tacoma Little Theatre’s production of “The Foreigner”! This hilarious story depicts a psychologically shy young man named Charlie, who is allowed to overhear sinister plans because the perpetrators believe that he doesn’t speak English. It all adds up to a well-layered story and wildly funny ending. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Friday-Sunday, September 14th-30th. 253-272-2281

Gig Harbor’s Paradise Theatre opens its new season with “Frankenstein”! Set in the icy regions where Victor Frankenstein has chased the creature he brought to life, the epic tale has been called a “a complex psychological drama” and is directed by Jeff Richards. Fridays-Saturdays, September 7th-29th.

Help Cinderella’s Closet Network continue to serve South Sound women and teens at their non-profit shop! Open your heart and volunteer to help during their busy September and October months and continue Cinderella Closet Network’s full mission: helping teens and women look and feel their very best.

Corvette and car enthusiasts are coming together for a special high performance driving event! Experience the exhilaration of riding in a sports car as experienced drivers take along citizens in their Corvettes, BMWs, Porsches, Mustangs and many more to raise funds and awareness to find a cure for breast cancer! Friday, September 21st, 9am-5pm. 360-870-4467

See the Tacoma Musical Theatre production of “Disney’s Newsies”! It’s set in turn-of-the-century New York City, where charismatic newsboy Jack Kelly leads a fight against the titans of publishing, who raise distribution costs at the newsboys’ expense. Kelly rallies newsies from across the city to strike against unfair conditions and fight for what’s right. Friday-Sunday, September 14th-October 7th. Friday & Saturday shows are at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2pm.

Spend a few hours at Walk Tacoma, where some of the passive parking stalls in the city are turned into active mini-parks! The spaces are filled with people, plants, music, art, food and games. Visit five or more parks and use your passport to enter a drawing for downtown gift certificates and prize baskets! Friday, September 21st, 10am-2pm.

If you’ve ever wanted to witness artists in action, the ARTrails of Southwest Washington tour is for you! Spend the weekend in Lewis County and start a self-guided tour at Centralia’s historic train depot while nearly 50 artists will open their studio. Watch them work and talk technique with the artists! Saturday-Sunday, September 22nd-23rd.

What happens to the water that goes down the drain? Celebrate Septic Smart Week by learning about wastewater treatment and the importance of clean water. There will be a presentation and arts and crafts, followed by a tour of the Budd Inlet Treatment Plant. Tour participants must be 10 or older and wear closed-toe, closed-heel shows. Saturday, September 22nd, 10am-2pm. 360-528-5742

Attend the “Bountiful Harvest Dinner & Auction” and help the Homeless Backpacks organization! There will be a champagne reception, a silent auction, a plated dinner, and a dessert & live auction – all to provide food for the hungry and give at-risk children the chance to focus on their education and success. Saturday, September 22nd, 6pm. 360-412-3191

Experience Michelangelo\’s Sistine Chapel from a new perspective! This exhibit recreates an absolute masterpiece and makes its only Washington stop at the Tacoma Armory! September 22nd-October 14th. 253-591-5890

Take advantage of Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day Saturday, September 22nd! Go online to get free tickets to museums, zoos, and cultural centers across the United States, including free admission to Tacoma’s Museum of Glass. Museum Day represents a national commitment to access, equality and inclusion.  253-284-4750

Take in a special night of cabaret with the Zonta Club of Olympia! Patrons will enjoy dinner and spirits and catch a cabaret revue with all the trimmings! Funds earned by the club support the community and Zonta International, which focuses on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls. Saturday, September 22nd, 5:30pm. 360-339-3269

Oktoberfest is heavenly Bavarian food and so much more! Enjoy live music and learn how to polka! There will be face painting, kids activities, a balloon artist, an arm wrestling contest and an amazing array of Bratwurst and meats. A vegetarian plate is available, as are kids meals and authentic black forest cake! Proceeds go to the Seattle Children’s Hospital. Saturday, September 22nd, 5pm.

Kokua’s 5K Poker Run/Walk/Roll Saturday, September 22nd is kid, pet, and wheelchair friendly, and, though the event is timed, the winner will not be based on the fastest finish time but on the best poker hand.  At registration each participant will draw their first poker card. There will be three stops along the course where you will draw poker cards and be able to grab a drink. The final poker card will be drawn at the finish line. Prizes will be given out to the top poker hands and one for the worst! 

    9am-10am: Day of registration and packet pick up
    10am: Runners leave the start line
    10:15am: Walkers and rollers leave the start line
    12-12:30 Awards

Kokua is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide individuals with disabilities the support needed to lead full and meaningful lives. For more information on Kokua visit http://kokuaservices.org

See author DL Fowler, who will read from his book, “Lincoln Raw: A Biographical Novel”! Following the presentation, the resident of Gig Harbor will lead a brief workshop for aspiring writers. For adults. Saturday, September 22nd, 12-1:30pm.

Find out about WWI food history at “Food Will Win the War: Recipes from 1918”!  The Tacoma Historical Society will be serving samples from food conservation recipes served in 1918, like Liberty Cookies and war bread. Explore the exhibits and bring a can of food to help the Saint Leo Food Connection. Saturday, September 22nd, 1-3pm.

“TechXpo” is an evening of technology exploration with the Lacey Timberland Library staff! Learn about free online classes, experiment with STEM toys, including robotics, try your hand at coding projects, get info on 3D printing and so much more. Saturday, September 22nd, 6-9pm.

Come join Team Laugh Out Loud as they raise money for local single mother Sonia Ferguson as she begins her second round of chemo against a reoccurance of colorectal cancer. If this form of aggressive chemo fails, she will need to travel to New York City to see a specialist and undergo a 4th surgery. Ticket is $20 for a pulled pork slider basket, your choice of beverage and a chance to win a door prize. The night will start out with music from Seth Eldridge, Josh Reynolds, and Calum Booth at 6pm.  At 9pm there will be a lip sync contest with the Grand Prize of Seahawks tickets! Enter for just $15.  Saturday, September 22nd 6pm on. Presale tickets available on brown paper tickets at https://m.bpt.me/event/3591666.

Join Thurston County Public Health for a free septic workshop! Call 360-867-2577  to register.

Tuesday, September 25th 7-9pm at Olympia Waldorf School

Thursday, September 27th 7-9pm at Griffin Fire Station

Medic One holds Adult Compression Only CPR with AED training free to Thurston County residents. Call 360-704-2780 to sign up.

Wednesday, September 26th at 7pm: South Bay Fire Station, 3506 Schinke Rd. NE, Olympia

Providence SoundHomeCare and Hospice is offering a hospice volunteer training. Volunteers provide support to families/caregivers and those who are dying by offering respite for caregivers, companionship, running errands, being a loving presence, etc. The training takes place on Wednesdays September 26^th and October 3^rd, & Fridays September 28^th, and October 5^th, from 9am to 4pm. You must attend all dates. Training takes place in Thurston County. Volunteers will be placed in their county once they have finished the training. A year’s commitment to the program is asked. To receive an application and sign-up for the training, call their volunteer program at (360) 493-4689.

Come get your insurance questions answered, donate blood, get a flu shot, be screened for cardio vascular health or find out if you might become a bone marrow donor at Hidden Creek Community Church’s Community Health Day Wednesday, September 26, 2018 1-6pm (flu shots 2-4pm).

Join Capitol Land Trust and Olympia Camera Club for photography tips and more at the iconic Bayshore Preserve! Photography expert Bruce Livingston will answer questions about camera settings, panorama, tripods and more. Bring a iPhone or DSLR, but to get the most out of the class, bring a camera with manual or semi-manual controls. Thursday, September 27th, 6pm. 360-943-3012

The Olympia Family Theater’s new season starts with “Corduroy”! Youngsters will love seeing the beloved bear lead a delightfully destructive chase through a department store as he searches for his missing button. Along the way, “Corduroy” is an enduring story about true friendship. Friday-Sunday, September 28th-October 21st. 360-570-1638

Celebrate GRuB’s new Victory Farm, which is led by veterans in cooperation with the Thurston County Food Bank! There will be a work party at the farm to clear away brush and debris from a new fence, and the community will also be working on the construction of a meeting place. Dress for the weather and bring tool belts and a water bottle. Friday-Saturday, September 28th-29th, 8:30am-12pm & 12:30-3:30pm.

Celebrate the style of animation known as anime at an “Anime-zing” event! This all ages get-together is for anime and manga fans and there will be games, crafts and food. Dressing up as fictional characters is encouraged! Friday, September 28th, 4-6pm.

Don’t miss out on the next Lacey Bingo Night! Have a Bavarian themed dinner and then play bingo, get in a 50/50 raffle, a costume contest and partake in a full bar. Game packs are $15. This event is 21 and over.  If you are bringing a group of 6 or more, a reservation is recommended. Friday, September 28th, 6pm (dinner), 7pm (bingo).

Honor amazing salmon by creating artwork at the WET Science Center! Commemorate this special time of year where local salmon are finishing their long, tiring journey and returning to their home streams to spawn. Make fish prints, a salmon button or hat and more. Saturday, September 29th, 10am-4pm. 360-528-5742

Sip and savor small plates from downtown Olympia’s signature dishes and drinks! Get an exclusive progressive dinner and meet chefs, brewers and restaurant owners, the cream of the city’s culinary scene! The event starts at Washington Center and includes four tasty stops, finishing at Rhythm & Rye for dessert, where there will be a raffle for prizes. Saturday, September 29th, 2-5pm (drawing at 5pm).

Make a difference for everyone who breathes! The American Lung Association’s Reach the Beach Saturday, September 29 is a fast, flat, beautiful bicycle ride that supports the ALA’s work to save lives by funding research & education! Start in Lacey, Olympia, Elma, or Cosmopolis and finish on Westport’s oceanfront. Register now at //bit.ly/reachbeach (discount code KXXO for 50% off).

The Friends of the Olympia Library Giant Sale of Books & Media will be Saturday, September 29, 2018, 10am-4pm & Sunday, September 30, 2018, 1-4 pm.  Members pre-sale Saturday 8-10 am (you can join at the door). Sunday only fill a provided bag with giant sale items for $5. Hard-cover books $1; trade soft-cover $1; mass market paperbacks $.50; children’s books $.25. LPs & CDs $1; all other items prices as marked.

The Nisqually Watershed Festival is loaded with fun! Explore the “Insect Extravaganza” and view insects around the world, listen to stories in the red salmon tent, dress up for the critter parade, and feast on some terrific food, like salmon barbecue, Hawaiian barbecue and shellfish tasting. There is music, craft activities, drumming, dancing and even a live raptor show, all to celebrate the Nisqually Watershed community’s ongoing commitment to protect the environment. Saturday, September 29th, 10am-4pm.

Join Wolf Haven International for an enjoyable evening! It’s a fundraiser with silent and live auctions, wine tasting, plentiful hors d’oeuvres – mingle with your fellow wildlife supporters. Guests will hear sanctuary highlights of the past year while helping to raise critical funds for wolves in the sanctuary and the organization’s advocacy for wolves in the wild. Saturday, September 29th, 5-8pm.

Olympia Rainbow Girls (International Order of the Rainbow for Girls), a service-based youth organization for girls 8-20, invite you to their fundraising event Saturday, September 29 5:30-8pm.  All you can eat Spaghetti, Silent Auction & Dessert Dash.  Some of their fabulous supporters this year include Trader Joe’s, Outback, Starbucks, Great Western Supply, Western Meats and Big Tom’s.  Tickets are $7 at the door (cash/check only).  Come join the fun, meet some new friends and learn more about what Rainbow can offer.

When vintage sewing machine enthusiasts get together, they share their love for these classic and still-working machines! There will be collectors telling stories about the history and mystery of the different models that participants can try out, including toy, electric and people-powered treadle and hand cranks. And see the quilts displayed in the library! For adults. Saturday, September 29th, 6-8pm.