What’s happening this week around Thurston County
Sunday, Sept. 29
Puget Sound Book Artists 13th Annual Members’ Exhibition: This exhibition on the theme of Time Travel will be exhibited at The Evergreen State College Library in Olympia from Sept. 29 to Dec. 20. On display will be 55 artist books from 42 different artists representing all parts of the Puget Sound and the western United States. For more information on the exhibit, email psba.exhibition@pugetsoundbookartists.org or visit Puget Sound Book Artists website: pugetsoundbookartists
First Olympia Tree Hugging Competition: This free event happening from 1-3 p.m. Sunday at Heritage Park (Seventh and Water) is modeled after similar international events in Finland and Scotland. The Tree Hugging Competition comprises three juried events for kids and adults: Speed hugging as many trees as you can for at least five seconds each, within 30 seconds. Freestyle hugging, displaying the most creative hug of a tree (other international competitions include dancing, serenading, reading poetry, etc.) for up to a minute. Dedication/Reverence hugging, which shows the most intention, love and respect to one tree for up to a minute. The competition concludes with awards lovingly delivered by the event judges and then both participants and spectators are all invited to join in a community hug. We’ll create a hand-in-hand hug around a grove of trees to celebrate our gratitude to the Squaxin who stewarded these trees for generations so that we can enjoy them today. To participate, register early — organizers will start a waitlist once 40 people register.
Monday, Sept. 30
Energize Olympia Heat Pump Workshop: The City of Olympia is launching Energize Olympia - a new program to connect Olympia residents to discounted ductless heat pump installations through a group purchase program. Learn about the new program at this free workshop happening at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Olympia Timberland Library, 313 Eighth Ave. SE, Olympia. Participants will receive information about heat pump technology, energy savings, and many available financial incentives, meet selected installation partners and be able to sign up for a site assessment. Attending an educational workshop qualifies you for the program-exclusive discount and incentive. A limited number of no-cost heat pump installations will be made available to income-qualified households. For more information about Energize Olympia, visit: www.olympiawa.gov/energize
Tuesday, Oct. 1
BOO-CODA Spook-Tacular kicks off: The south Thurston County town of Bucoda spends the entire month of October proclaiming itself the World’s Tiniest Town with the Biggest Halloween Spirit. BOO-CODA is, by Town Council Proclamation, what the Town of Bucoda is called all October. It hosts a Haunted House every Friday and Saturday night, as well as many other family fun events all throughout the month. For example, kids can Trick or Treat at Joe’s Place every day in October. But the month also includes a costume contest, Hearse Procession & Viewing, Newly Dead Game, vendor fair, pancake breakfast, Pine Box Derby, Family Fun and Fright Day, Monster Mash Dance and Thrill the World Dance. For additional details, dates, and times, visit the official Boo-Coda Spook-Tacular site.
Wednesday, Oct. 2
Governor’s Mansion tours resume: Reservations for 2024 October tours at the Washington State Governor’s Mansion are now open and can be made at the Department of Enterprise Services website. Tours are offered on a first-come, first-served basis for Wednesdays Oct. 2 or Oct. 9. There are four daily tours, set every thirty minutes starting at 10:30 a.m. to noon. Each tour time is open to 30 guests and hosted by the Governor’s Mansion Foundation docents. October tours will include, in addition to the mansion’s rooms, the history and memorabilia of Washington apples and a collection of vintage apple box labels on display from Yakima Valley Museum. The redbrick, Georgian-style Executive Mansion has been home to Washington’s governors since 1909. It has been fully restored and furnished with many antiques from the American Federal period (1790s-1830s). The 30-minute mansion tours showcase the first-floor public rooms. There is considerable walking and standing with no public restrooms. The mansion is accessible to walkers and wheelchairs. Check in with the Washington State Patrol at the bottom of the mansion driveway at least 10 minutes before tour start-time. Attendees 18 or older are required to show photo ID. An adult must accompany those under 18. Items not allowed on the tour: backpacks, strollers, umbrellas, gum, food, drinks. Bins are provided to store personal items. All weapons are prohibited on the mansion grounds.
Welcome to Medicare Zoom Presentation: This presentation at 11 a.m. is an introduction to options for new Medicare beneficiaries. It covers Parts A and B, Medicare Advantage Plans, Part D Prescription Plans, Medicare Supplements, and programs available to limited income beneficiaries. To get a link to register, email ThurstonMasonShiba.volunteers@southsoundseniors.org or call and leave a message at Senior Services SHIBA program at 360-586-6181 ext 134. A registration link will be sent to you.
Friday, Oct. 4
Olympia’s Fall Arts Walk: Olympia Arts Walk is a semi-annual community event celebrating the arts. Since 1990, thousands gather in downtown Olympia for a festive arts experience. Hours are 6-10 pm Friday, Oct. 4, and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, but some art will be available to view throughout October. In addition to art exhibits, visitors will find live performances, events and interactive activities at more than 100 neighboring business locations. Check out a full schedule of events at artswalkoly.com website.
Solar EV Charger Ribbon Cutting and Car Show: Celebrate and get a closeup view of a new solar-powered, off-grid, electric vehicle (EV) charging station at Tumwater’s Pioneer Park from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4. The solar charging station is ADA accessible and includes a 110-volt outlet to charge other e-mobility devices such as electric wheelchairs or electric bikes. Use of the charger is free to the public. The event will include a ribbon cutting, presentations from key project planners, a demonstration of the unit, and an EV car show. The charger is funded by the Climate Commitment Act through a $87,052 grant from the Washington Department of Commerce. This charger is a pilot project to see if off-grid solar-powered EV chargers are suitable for further expansion into City parks. This kind of charging solution is not connected to the energy grid and thus will not strain the grid, nor will it go down in the event of power outages. Pioneer Park is at 5801 Henderson Blvd SE, Tumwater.
Saturday, Oct. 5
Oysterfest featuring the West Coast Oyster Shucking Championship and Washington State Seafood Festival: Shelton Skookum Rotary sponsors OysterFest, which takes place Saturday 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm at the Port of Shelton airport, 21 W Sanderson Way, Shelton. It features seafood menu items, live music, exhibits and activities for the whole family. All money raised at both events is donated non profit organizations in Mason County.
ASHHO Cultural Bazaar: ASHHO Cultural Community Center in Tumwater will host this bazaar from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at the center, located at 5757 Littlerock Road SW (across from Costco). Admission is free. The bazaar will bring people together to celebrate the talents of Black, Brown, Women, and LGBTQ+ artists and makers. More than 35 vendors will be selling unique, handcrafted treasures such as jewelry, artwork, candles, and more. This bazaar is not just an event—it’s a statement of support for creators who are often underrepresented in the art world. Food and live music also will be part of the event. For more information, visit the ASHHO website.
Children’s Day at Huntamer Park: From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Lacey’s Huntamer Park will host a free circus show for the whole family. Visitors under the big top will find acrobats, aerialists, food vendors, and tasty treats. Local businesses and organizations will be on hand for free activities in the kid’s zone play area. Huntamer Park is at 618 Woodland Square Loop SE.
Would you like to have your event included in our weekly What’s Happening listing? Email the details to news@theolympian.com at least 10 days before the event. Please put What’s Happening in the subject line.
