Community Events

Less is more when it comes to watering your lawn! With July being Smart Irrigation Month, the City of Olympia is encouraging citizens to cut their irrigation water waste. Lawns and landscapes and lawns are typically over-watered by up to 30 percent, so be smart about irrigation! For more details, see http://www.olympiawa.gov/waterwise

Lakefair has returned, as the sights, smells and sounds of exciting rides, food and live music promises a great time for every family member! This year’s event is highlighted by Senior Day (Friday 9am-2:30pm), a parade (Saturday at 5pm) and fireworks on Sunday night! Through Sunday, July 21st. For more details, call 360-943-7344.

Experience Downtown Olympia on Third Thursdays! Participating shops, many staying open later than usual, feature deals, guest authors, artists, and refreshments! Eateries offer chef and barista specials and entertainment! See olythirdthursday.com for info, contests, and activities! A fun element of each Third Thursday is the Challenge Game! Participating Third Thursday businesses will hand out game cards. Participants can visit each business to get another letter to solve the phrase of the month. Complete the phrase first and win!

Downtown shops, restaurants and galleries offer unique Third Thursday promotions; art galleries hold artist receptions, and you can enjoy food and beverage tastes at boutiques.

The info booth, located in the US Bank parking lot, is open Third Thursdays from 4-7pm, with free concerts starting at 6pm.

Presented by Providence Health Services in partnership with the Olympia Downtown Alliance, 360-357-8948, and KXXO Mixx 96.1!

Join BK Musical Productions for a magic carpet ride as Aladdin and all of Agrabah learn he is a diamond in the rough! The “Disney Aladdin Jr.” musical features a cast ages 7-18.

Thursday, July 18th, 7pm
Friday, July 19th, 10am and 7pm
Saturday, July 20th, 7pm

Saturday, July 20th at 3pm: American Sign Language performance signed by students. Special seating area. Come see the magic of Aladdin and the wonder of American Sign Language performed together.

The Living History Cemetery Tour is for fans of tradition and more! See Tacoma’s history come to life in a unique and fascinating way through these interesting walks. Contact the Tacoma Historical Society to reserve your place! Friday-Saturday, July 19th-20th. For more details, call 253-472-3738.

Tenino Young-at-Heart Theatre is presenting its summer musical, “Just So”! Five of Rudyard Kipling’s “Just So Stories” are woven together to tell a story of courage, tenacity, friendship and discovery in a delightful presentation, with a mix of various styles of music. Friday-Sunday, July 19th-27th (with a July 25th Thursday performance). Tickets are available at www.teninoyoungathearttheatre.org

When Elephant’s Child is so filled with questions about how things are “just so,” he is not satisfied with the response from his elephant family when all they say is “Silly Questions.” With the help of the Eldest Magician he learns that questions are good, that friends really matter, that with help he can accomplish great things! All the while we learn how the Leopard got his spots, the Zebra got her stripes, and the Elephant got his trunk!

Performances are July 19th, 25th, and 26th at 7pm, July 20th, 21st and 27th at 2pm. Special pay what you can performance at July 24th at 7pm. (Please make a donation to the Tenino Young at Heart Theatre and bring a non-perishable food Item for the food bank at the Tenino Community Service Center.)

The South Sound Shakespeare Summer kicks off with Animal Fire’s “The Merry Wives of Windsor”! This rollicking, frolicking comedy features two wives, Mistresses Ford and Page, who conspire to teach Falstaff a lesson about honesty and respect. Friday-Sunday, June 28th-July 21st, 7pm.

“Giving” is a unique, free-style musical! Young Max and friends deal with growing pains as they navigate through middle school and into adulthood, learning some heartbreaking and joyous lessons along the way, with moving music providing a perfect backdrop. Friday-Sunday, July 19th-21st. For details, call 360-458-3140.

Tacoma Art Museum presents “Bart at TAM!” Learn the details behind the animation of America’s Favorite Family. Take a trip to the imaginary world of Springfield and see how this visual storytelling can bring a whole hilarious world to life. Bart at TAM opens July 20th and runs through October 27, 2019 with free Thursdays at the museum from 5-8pm.

The Historic Montesano Car Show, has more than cars! There’s a swap meet, vendors, Kids Summer Fest, Saturday market, and music, plus over 40 awards, dash plaques, door prizes and raffle items, too. Saturday, July 20th, 8am-3pm. All proceeds to Montesano Food Bank and other local charities. For info call 360- 580-7941 or visit Facebook: Historic Montesano Car Show: https://www.facebook.com/Historic-Montesano-Car-Show-105689365887/  

The Gate Community Club will host their annual Blueberry pancake breakfast and raffle! Over 70 items will be raffled off, including golf packages, food, theme park tickets, firewood, hotel stays, shopping certificates and more! Kids age 4 and under – as well as local firefighters – eat for free. Saturday, July 20th, 8-11am. For details, contact Michael and Kelli Langer at 360-273-8143. Location: Historic Gate Schoolhouse, 16925 Moon SW, Rochester. Breakfast Tickets are $6 and raffle tickets are $1. Proceeds will help with the upkeep of the Gate Schoolhouse.

Olympia residents can take advantage of the drop-off site and rid themselves of yard debris, tools, fencing and more! Some items, like cardboard, some plastic and scrap metal, are taken at no cost. For the rest, rates are assessed on the size of the load. Residents must unload their own vehicles. For a list of restrictions, see the City of Olympia website. Saturdays through November 23rd, 9am-2pm.

The Tenino Farmers Market is celebrating its 15th year by being bigger and better than ever but still the best little market in Washington! Come and see them in historic downtown Tenino every Saturday from 10am-3pm May through September.

Let’s Go Fly a Kite! Kite flying is a great activity no matter how old you are. Come to the WET Science Center and decorate and assemble your very own “frustrationless flyer,” the easiest kite you’ll ever fly! Then take it outside and enjoy the sun. Saturday, July 20th, 10am-4pm.

Learn from beach naturalists this summer at “Meet the Beach”! The program takes place at low tide at your favorite beaches, where visitors learn about estuary plants and animals – sea stars, snails, crabs, jellyfish – and everything in between!

See the inspiring American Sign Language performance of the “Disney Aladdin Jr.”! It’s the magic of “Aladdin” and the wonder of American Sign Language performed together, and the show will be signed by students. The cast is comprised of young persons ages 7 to 18. Saturday, July 20th, 3pm. For more information, call 360-412-4802.

See one of Seattle’s most exciting groups, the MacDaddy Band! They play several decades of rock favorites and will have the “Lacey In Tune” crowd up and dancing! MacDaddy’s show will be followed by the movie “Ralph Wrecks the Internet” at dusk – it’s rated PG. Saturday, July 20th, 7pm (show), dusk (movie).

An independent hotel manager in the Greek islands is preparing for her daughter’s wedding with the help of two old friends. Meanwhile Sophie, the spirited bride, has a plan. She secretly invites three men from her mother’s past in hope of meeting her real father. See what happens next! At the Tacoma Musical Playhouse from July 12th through August 4 (Fridays-Sundays).

Two shows added to Mamma Mia!

Sunday, July 28, 6:30pm

Thursday, August 1, 7:30pm

Order Tickets

253-565-6867

Don’t miss Hawktail in Tacoma! This acoustic roots music group, all seasoned musicians in the Americana genre, are exciting and skilled players who know how to connect with audiences. Saturday, July 20th, 7:30pm.

The “Cruise at the Creek” Hot Rod and Custom Car Show includes sensational cars plus all the great features you’d expect from Little Creek Casino: table games, poker, a food and beer garden and more! There’s also a Seattle School of Rock musical performance and Perfectly Petty, a Tom Petty tribute band. Saturday, July 20th, 10am-6pm.

Join friends and citizens at the Tacoma Art Museum for a conversation with local animators and illustrators! Learn about their process, the influences and about the bigger picture: the growing animation community in the Northwest! Sunday, July 21st, 2-3pm.

The American Red Cross is seeking donations of blood! There are two dates and places in Tacoma: On Monday, July 22nd, give at American Red Cross Tacoma at 1235 S. Tacoma from 1-6pm. On Friday, July 26th, give at the Fairways Apartments, 4602 45th Ave. NE from 1-6pm.

All ages are invited to Marine Creature Mondays, where participants get to experience first-hand what lives below the dock! See what wonders the divers find! For Thurston County residents only – registration is required (please register for just one session as space is limited). Mondays, July 15th, 22nd, 29th, 11:30am or 1pm and August 5th, 12th, 19th, 11:30am or 1pm.

The whole family will love Magic Mama, playing at “Lacey In Tune”! An “Eco Edu-tainer” who performs positive, earth-friendly songs, she layers multiple electric instruments onstage. The audience is invited to play along, using provided, handmade, upcycled instruments. FREE! Tuesday, July 23rd, 6:30pm.

The Tumwater Town Center Farmers Market has the best seasonal produce, handmade baked goods, fresh eggs, kombucha and shrubs, artisan jewelry, coffee, honey, soaps and salves! Enjoy live music and hot lunch. Every Wednesday through September 25th, 10am to 2pm, at the corner of Capitol Blvd and Israel Rd. in Tumwater.

One of the top saxophonists in America, Darren Motamedy, plays a lunchtime smooth jazz show! Performing at “Lacey In Tune,” he has played with or opened for Ray Charles and Grover Washington, Jr., while his following around the world continues to grow. FREE! Wednesday, July 24th, 12-1pm.

The grounds around the Governor’s Mansion are glorious during spring and early summer! The rhododendrons are in full bloom, so take a self-guided tour and take in the beauty! Adults must bring a photo ID and must reserve 24 hours in advance. Wednesdays in July at 1pm, 1:20 & 1:40. For more details, call 360-902-8880.

Dance the night away to Platinum Soul at “Music In the Park”! The group will perform soul and R&B classics at this family event, held in Olympia’s Sylvester Park. Wednesday, July 24th, 7pm. For more details, call 360-357-8948.

WHO:
DAV and RecruitMilitary are joining forces to attract, hire and retain military veterans and military spouses.

WHAT:
This is a free hiring event for veterans, transitioning military personnel, National Guard members, Reserve members and military spouses.

WHEN: Thursday, July 25th, 11am-3pm

WHERE:  American Lake Conference Center, 8085 NCO Beach Road, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA

EVENT REGISTRATION & EXHIBITOR INFO: http://bit.ly/JBLM072519

Kids can meet superheroes, make a cape, run through an obstacle course, draw comics, and more at Hands On Children’s Museum Friday-Saturday, July 26-27 10am-5pm!

Internet celebrity and acclaimed parenting vlogger Kristina Kuzmic is coming to Tacoma’s Pantages Theater! Her “Hope and Humor” tour will bring the inspiration, humor and in-your-face perspective on parenting that has attracted social media to the tune of over 2.3 million followers. A cheerleader for humans, Kuzmic immigrated to America from Croatia during the war in her homeland. Friday, July 26th, 8pm.

Register now for the 5K Glow Run Friday, July 28 at 9pm (8pm for 1/2 mile kids’ run) put on by the Hawks Prairie Rotary at the Regional Athletic Complex (RAC)! It’s an evening of fun, including a post-race party with music, food, beverages, and prizes – all to help Hawks Prairie Rotary Club’s charitable activities in the community.

A series of songs that are all connected by a theme:  “the moment of decision.” The performances will be Friday-Sunday July 26, 27, and 28th, 2019 from 8 pm to 9:30 pm.

Residents of Kitsap County can take advantage of a household hazardous waste/styrofoam collection Saturday, July 27th, 9am-3pm at Kitsap County Fairgrounds, 1200 Fairgrounds Rd. NW, Bremerton 98311.

Join local Lego builders for games, contests, demonstrations and a community display during Oly Brick Fest! The South Puget Sound Lego Users Group is accepting submissions of your original creations. Saturday & Sunday July 28th, 29th and August 3rd & 4th, 10am-6pm at the Capital Mall.

Puget Sound starts at home? Come discover how you can help keep Puget Sound healthy at the WET Science Center. Play games and create crafts. Saturday, July 27th, 10am-4pm.

Be part of a time-tested tradition at the Tacoma Maritime Fest! There will be ship tours, presentations and sailings – plus food, entertainment and kids activities! This all-ages event honors the city’s rich maritime history as well as the industry that shapes it now. Saturday-Sunday, July 27th-28th. 10am-5pm both days. For more details, call 253-284-3254.

Enjoy two full days of music, dance, art and foods at Tacoma’s Ethnic Fest! This family friendly event features hands on activities and cultural experiences, a kids zone, a performance stage, arts and crafts, food and information vendor booths. There is also a 3 on 3 basketball tournament for ages 15 and up. Saturday-Sunday, July 27th-28th, 12-7pm.

The Estuarium’s Summer Shark Spree is back! Explore the amazing sharks of Puget Sound with a cool shark specimen, including real shark teeth, jaws, and tails and a talk by Sandy Zeiner of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. The free-admission day is Saturday, July 27th from 1-2pm. It features a hands-on shark dissection and talk hosted by Sandy Zeiner, Shellfish and Enforcement Policy Analyst of NW Indian Fisheries Commission. 

Seattle’s only Journey tribute band, the Infinity Project, performs at “Lacey In Tune”! Covering songs from the band’s early days right through their long string of hits, it’s beautifully played music sure to please every Journey fan. It’s followed by the PG-rated movie “Star Wars, Episode IV: A New Hope” at dusk. Saturday, July 27th, 7pm.

The Olympia Symphony is putting on a free evening of classical, popular and patriotic favorites! Bring a blanket and lawn chairs, picnic food and friends and hear “Themes from 007,” “A Salute to the Big Apple” and more! Sunday, July 28th, 6pm.

Cast a net with Stream Team and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Biologists and see what critters come up! This Beach Seine (SAYN) at Priest Point Park is bound to reveal several different types of marine wildlife and is for all ages. FREE! Monday, July 29th, 6pm. For more details, call 360-753-8336.

Children’s performer Roberto the Magnificent performs at “Lacey In Tune”! His shows are filled with comedic chatter, antics, a high-energy pace and they’re heavy on audience participation. A delight for all ages! Tuesday, July 30th, 6:30pm.

The Tumwater Town Center Farmers Market has the best seasonal produce, handmade baked goods, fresh eggs, kombucha and shrubs, artisan jewelry, coffee, honey, soaps and salves! Enjoy live music and hot lunch. Every Wednesday through September 25th, 10am to 2pm, at the corner of Capitol Blvd and Israel Rd. in Tumwater.

The American Red Cross has announced a date for giving blood in Kitsap County! Donate blood in Bremerton at the Washington State Patrol, 4811 W. Werner Road on Wednesday, July 31st from 11am-4pm.

The band Soñando has been exciting fans of Latin music for a long time, and plays the “Lacey In Tune” concert series! The group’s hot and spicy rhythms have taken them all over the country; they have performed at the Puerto Rico Parade in New York City. Wednesday, July 31st, 12-1pm.

Register your car or just be there for “Classic Cars & Cigars”! This block party on Olympia’s west side includes beer and whiskey tasting, food, an airplane simulator, a beard contest, Derma medical spa specials and door prizes throughout the event! FREE ADMISSION! Wednesday, July 31st, 4-8pm. To register your vehicle or for more information, visit www.dermamedispa.com

Don’t miss the Roostertails at the next “Music In the Park” concert! This band plays Americana and rockabilly, perfect for dancing – or bring lawn chairs and blankets and relax! Wednesday, July 31st, 7pm.