What’s happening this week around Thurston County
Sunday, July 21
Lakefair fireworks: Come enjoy this community favorite on the last day of Lakefair. The Grand Finale Fireworks display takes place over Capitol Lake in Olympia, and can be viewed from Heritage Park, Deschutes Parkway, Capitol Campus or anywhere with a view of the lake. This year’s event is presented by the Washington’s Lottery. The free show begins at 10 p.m.
Tuesday, July 23
Lacey in Tune Children’s Entertainment: “The Misadventures of Cap’n Arrr!” is an interactive comedy performance for kids and grownups. Pirate Cap’n Arrr battles with sea creatures, selects his first mate from the audience, and juggles oversized canon balls (giant black balloons filled with water). The free show drops anchor at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Lacey’s Huntamer Park, 618 Woodland Square Loop SE. Sunshine Scoop will be selling ice cream and the River Ridge High School Band Boosters will sell kettle corn. For more information about the show, visit the website.
Wednesday, July 24
Welcome to Medicare Zoom Presentation: This virtual presentation at 6:30 p.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 with your phone number and email address at Senior Services SHIBA program at 360-586-6181 ext 134. A registration link will be sent to you.
Lacey in Tune noontime jazz concert: Bobby Medina’s Latin American Jazz Experience is an immersive show that features fresh renditions of Latin classics, jazz hits and original compositions. Experience Latin, classical, world, jazz, and pop music along with special interactive segments with the audience. The free concert starts at noon at Huntamer Park, 618 Woodland Square Loop SE, Lacey. Vendors will be selling ice cream and kettle corn.
Music in the Park: Singer-songwriter Brittany Danielle will perform at the Olympia Downtown Alliance’s 2024 Music in the Park concert series. The hourlong concert will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 24, in Sylvester Park, 615 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Concertgoers are advised to bring a chair or blanket and encouraged to pick up takeout from a downtown restaurant. Picnics are welcome, too. The concert series continues every Wednesday in July. Admission is free.
Thursday, July 25
Puppet show at Olympia Timberland Library: Children and their parents can join Pegasus Puppet Theatre for a free, hourlong performance of “East of the Sun and West of the Moon” at 11 a.m. Thursday. The play is the Norwegian version of a fairy tale told in many lands by many different names, including “Beauty and the Beast.” Adult supervision is required. The library is at 313 Eighth Ave. SE, Olympia.
Play in the Parks STEM show: Science and stories collide in the free interactive STEM show, “Talewise Science Heroes: Adventures of the Lost Treasure,” at 2 p.m. at Wonderwood Park, 5304 32nd Ave SE, Lacey. Kids can join the treasure-hunting adventure deep within the jungle and explore science concepts while conducting experiments together. Sponsored by the city of Lacey.
Tenino Young-at-Heart Theatre production of Rogers & Hammerstein’s “State Fair”: The theater company made up of local performers of all ages and abilities is presenting this classic musical set against the backdrop of the 1946 Iowa State Fair, a tribute to rural life. Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for students and senior and can be purchased at teninoyoungathearttheatre.org. Performances will be at 7 p.m. weekdays and 2 p.m. weekends through Aug. 3 at the Tenino High School Commons, 500 W Second Ave., Tenino. For more information, email info@teninoyoungathearttheatre.org
Friday, July 26
Plaza Pop-Up -- Boat Building: Think you’ve got what it takes to engineer a boat? Use a variety of materials to craft your boat and refine your design as you test it in Olympia’s reclaimed water stream. Join the WET Science Center educators in the East Bay Plaza from noon to 3 pm Friday. The plaza is at 325 Marine Drive NE in downtown Olympia.
57th annual Oregon Trail Days Celebration: This annual community gathering will run Friday through Sunday, July 26-28, in Tenino City Park and downtown Tenino. The festival will feature the Tenino Lions Club Grand Parade, Cascadia Country with the Pioneer Village with 31 hands-on activities for families, the 30th annual WAMS Rock & Gem Rendezvous, the Cascadiens, Dutch Oven Society and Mountain Man Rendezvous, the Tenino Depot Museum Oregon Trail Experience, food booths, arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment, quilt show, Creekside Conservancy salmon bake, Tenino Timberland Library book sale, opening and closing flag ceremonies and presentation of arms, South Thurston Fire and EMS demonstrations and dunk tank, Gospel Sunday community worship service in the park, Tenino Music Festival and a Capital City 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament. Plan to check out the playground equipment, three pump tracks, trails, and the Tenino Quarry Pool while you are at the festival. For a complete schedule of activities, visit the Tenino Area Chamber of Commerce website.
Lacey in Tune presents The Coats and “Wonka”: The free fun begins at 7 p.m. at Lacey’s Huntamer Park, 618 Woodland Square Loop SE. The Coats, a contemporary a cappella quartet, that blends music and comedy. Their performance is at 7 p.m. Then stay for the dusk outdoor screening of “Wonka” starring Timothee Chalamet as the young chocolatier Willy Wonka. Chick-fil-A, River Ridge High School Band Boosters, Sunshine Scoop and Taqueria la Esquinita will be the vendors on site Friday evening.
Screen on the Green presents “Migration”: Grab a blanket, pack a picnic, and join fellow park-goers for a family-friendly movie under the stars. Kona Ice will be on site to satisfy your sweet tooth with their premium shaved ice. Enjoy movie trivia, and more. Free fun for the whole family at Barclift Park, 690 Barclift Lane SE, Tumwater. Bring chairs and blankets, but please leave grills, umbrellas, and pets at home. Seating begins at 7:30 p.m. and movie will begin at approximately 9:10 p.m. Attendees who are traveling by car are encouraged to park in the O Bee Credit Union parking lot off Cleveland Avenue and walk through the gate/pathway between the business and the park.
Saturday, July 27
Pacific Northwest Bats at Schafer State Park: Join Schafer State Park near Elma, the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, and Woodland Park Zoo at this gathering to learn more about Washington’s bats and the Bat Activity Trends (BAT) community science program. The event runs from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, starting with an educational talk on bats covering adaptations, behavior and biology, followed by instructions for the BAT community science project, and a 30-minute bat observation. The goal of the BAT program is to collect data on bat sightings across Washington. Please wear appropriate shoes, and bring bug spray and a headlamp. No RSVP necessary.
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.
