For 53 years (and counting) Lakefair has been a cherished community event held on the banks of Capitol Lake in downtown Olympia. Carnival rides and games fill the area with thrill-seeking kids and adults. Live music, food vendors and arts and craft vendors round out the annual tradition. Lakefair is held the third week in July (Wed. through Sunday) with notable events such as the Saturday twilight parade and Sunday fireworks display. There is also the traditional crowing of the Lakefair Queen (a senior girl from one of the local high schools) held Thursday evening. But beyond all the fanfare, hoopla and crowning of queens, Lakefair stands out in the community because it contributes to the economy of local communities. Many local charitable organizations use the Lakefair food concessions as their main fund raising event of the year. If you’ve got kids from toddlers to teens, this summer event is not to be missed!
If you can’t wait until summer, plan to attend Olympia's other defining festival - the Spring Arts Walk with the Procession of the Species. The Arts Walk brings everyone to downtown Olympia in order to enjoy this wonderful festival to celebrate art in every form. Not just galleries take part in this. You will find art displays in businesses from restaurants to banks, street vendors, musical performances, and so much more.
And not to be missed is the Procession of the Species, a parade that takes place on the second day of the festival. No real animals take part in this festival, but instead members of the community create an array of incredible costumes and floats accompanied by dancing and music. This is a true spring celebration filled with color and festivity. Why not get the kids to create costumes and join in the fun!?
Tumwater
What happens when you dump a giant bin full of tiny rubber duckies into the raging waters of the Deschutes River from the bridge below the former Olympia/Miller/Pabst Brewery? It’s mayhem called the Duck Dash!
Every year, the local Rotary stages the wildest and weirdest event of the fundraising season by sending 12,000 rubber duckies racing to the finish line trying to win big prizes for their lucky ticket holders.
The Duck Dash is held the first Saturday in June. Besides the race, there is food from local eateries and live music and entertainment provided by area high schools and middle schools.
Here is how the duck race works: Starting in April, members of the Rotary Club sell duck tickets for five dollars each. Your ticket number corresponds to the number on a little rubber ducky. On the day of the race, all the ducks are loaded into a "duck box," which is then picked up by a giant crane and dangled dramatically over the thunderous rapids of the Deschutes River. A special lever is pulled, the bottom of the box drops out and a cascade of thousands of little rubber duckies dumps into the churning water below. If (or when) your duck crosses the floating finish line you can win big prizes. It’s a sight to be seen and a hoot for young and old!
Lacey
Here’s one for the adults! The last weekend of March brings the Capital Food and Wine Festival, which ironically does not take place in the capital but in Lacey at St. Martin’s University. Each year the festival hosts regional vintners to promote their bottled spirits, microbrewers to share their best brews and South Sound restaurants and food vendors to provide their tasty treats for all to enjoy. There is also live music entertainment on two stages throughout the day. Festival tickets can be pre-purchased or purchased at the door on the day of the event. Ticket price includes admission and choice of a festival wine or ale glass at the door. It’s a great night out and proceeds go to the local college.
If you are home with kids during the summer and find you keep hearing “I’m bored” or “there’s nothing to do” then pack a picnic lunch and head to Lacey’s In Tune Summer Concerts in the Park. Concerts include a number of local groups as well as regional acts. You'll hear a different sound each week with a variety of high-energy music styles. These concerts are free and held in Lacey’s Huntamer Park in Woodland Square just off College Street. There are weekday lunch hour concerts and Saturday evening concerts. You’ll see young and old alike enjoying the summer tunes! Concerts run late June through early August.
