What’s happening this week around Thurston County
Sunday, Feb. 9
Pro Soccer Breakfast Panel and Q&A: Ever wanted to know what to teach your players or child? Join Wembley Soccer Shop and FC Olympia “Artesians” this Sunday for a free Pro Soccer Panel where you can do Q&A with current pro coaches, current NCAA college coaches and “homegrown” pro players. Doors open at 9 a.m. at the Lacey Community Center, 6729 Pacific Ave SE. Breakfast snacks and drinks will be provided. All ages are welcome. Register online in advance.
Thursday, Feb. 13
Olympia Old Time Festival: Dive into traditional music and workshops at the Olympia Old Time Festival, celebrating its 15th year, from Thursday through Sunday, Feb. 13-16. For a complete schedule for the weekend, visit the website. The festival is an all-volunteer run organization that is now a program of Arbutus Folk School, so all donations made to the festival are tax deductible and go directly to performers and programming. The Thursday Night Kick Off Jam will start at 6 p.m. at Ilk Lodge, 515 Jefferson St. SE, in downtown Olympia. Friday and Saturday evening events will start at 5 p.m. at the South Bay Grange, 3918 Sleater Kinney Road NE, Olympia; tickets are $30. Afternoon workshops are free and begin at noon at the South Bay Grange and Arbutus Folk School, 705 Fourth Ave E Ste 101, in downtown Olympia.
Olympia Reads! with Varian Johnson: Join other book lovers for an inspiring evening with award-winning author Varian Johnson, who write contemporary middle grade literature including “The Parker Inheritance,” “The Great Greene Heist,” and “Twins.” The event will run from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the Koval Center for the Performing Arts at North Thurston High School, 600 Sleater-Kinney Road NE. This free community event is presented through a partnership between Lacey Loves to Read and Olympia Reads!, local initiatives that connect readers of all ages with authors to spark a lifelong love of reading.
History Talk on Who Was O.C. Lacey? Head to Lacey City Hall’s Council Chambers at 6:30 p.m. Thursday to hear Lacey Museum Curator Erin Quinn Valcho talk about O.C. Lacey. Although not Lacey’s founder, he has been mysterious historical figure for over a century. After becoming a prominent figure in Olympia and leaving his name on the Lacey post office, he left town after a public scandal in 1895 and was never heard from again. Although research had uncovered where he went after leaving Washington, no one has ever discovered where he came from — until now. The presentation is free; City Hall is at 420 College St. SE, Lacey. Register online in advance.
Saturday, Feb. 15
Benefit for the Food Source Foundation: Mukana Marimba and Samba Olywa invite you to a concert to benefit The Food Source Foundation. Dance away your winter blues with energetic music from Zimbabwe and Brazil. The music starts at 7 p.m. at the top-floor Eagles Ballroom, 805 Fourth Ave E, Olympia; doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $15, with kids 16 and younger getting in free with an adult. Sliding scale at the door for folks in need. The show will have a seated area and plenty of dancing space too. The shot benefits the new nonprofit The Food Source Foundation that was born out of the “Souper Sunday - free soup for everyone” Facebook group founded by Chris Hyde. He has been providing free soup to the community since September 2023. The foundation will focus on free local prepared food pickup and delivery, free local grocery pickup and delivery, and grants to other people and organizations that provide food assistance.
Whale and Wildlife Rescue at WET Science Center: Learn about local marine mammals and how to help them while enjoying hands-on activities, crafts, and biofacts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the center, 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia. At 2 pm, Sealife Response, Rehabilitation and Research (SR3) will discuss their work, whale research, and stories of sea life rescues. No live animals will be attending. Admission is free, and all ages are welcome.
Furniture Bank open: The nonprofit all-volunteer Thurston County Furniture Bank is open the first and third Saturdays of every month from 9 am to noon at 2121 Log Cabin Road SE, Olympia. The Furniture Bank building is at the back of the parking lot. Donations of gently used furniture are accepted. Pick up of donations can be arranged but usually takes 3-4 weeks. Those looking for furniture are welcomed. For further information, go to Furniture Bank of Thurston County — Olympia CRC.
Sacred Saturdays with a Therapist: Head to ASHHO’s Monthly Community Healing Workshop from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday with Dr. Bre, who will guide the group through sessions filled with insights, practical tips, and powerful resources to support your mental health. Expect tangible tools you can use right away, a welcoming space for all, connection, growth, and healing. The event is free, but donations are appreciated. ASHHO Cultural Community Center is at 5757 Littlerock Road SW, Tumwater (across from Tumwater Costco). Admission is free, but tickets are needed.
Would you like to have your event included in our weekly What’s Happening calendar? Email the details to news@theolympian.com at least 10 days before the event. Please put What’s Happening in the subject line.
