What’s Happening in South Sound this week

Cayli Yanagida
·5 min read

Sunday, July 3

Music in the Park at Port Plaza: The Olympia Downtown Alliance will kick off its outdoor concert series at 1 p.m. at Port Plaza, 701 Columbia St NW, Olympia. Music will be provided by The Brothers Hammond Band. Admission is free. For more information, contact 360-357-8948 or go to the ODA’s website.

Lacey 2022 Fireworks Spectacular: The city of Lacey’s 56th early Independence Day celebration will include a fireworks display at Rainier Vista Community Park, 5475 45th Ave. SE. The event, from 4-11 p.m., will offer food trucks, live music and kid activities. Admission is free. For more information, visit the city of Lacey events page.

Monday, July 4

Tumwater Independence Day Parade and Thunder Valley Fireworks: Tumwater Parks and Recreation will hold its 34th annual Independence Day Parade starting at 11 a.m. on Capitol Boulevard and Lee Street near Tumwater City Hall. In the evening, fireworks will be discharged from the Tumwater Valley Golf Course for the Artesian Family Festival and Thunder Valley Fireworks Show. The fun begins at 6 p.m. at the Tumwater Valley Golf Course, 4611 Tumwater Valley Drive SE. Fireworks show begins at 10:15 p.m. The festival and fireworks are free; there’s a $10 charge for parking. For more information, contact 360-754-4160 or tumwaterparks@ci.tumwater.wa.us.

Tuesday, July 5

Children’s Entertainment Series features Henrik Bothe: At 6:30 p.m., kids and adults can enjoy Henrik Bothe’s Comedy Magic Show at Huntamer Park, 618 Woodland Square Loop SE, Lacey. Admission is free. Food vendors will include SweetLee’s, Lava Bowlz and Cinco de Mayo Fruits & More.

Wednesday, July 6

Birding Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge: From 8 a.m to noon, participants can enjoy the nature of the wildlife refuge during the Wednesday morning bird walks. Participants are allowed to stay with the group for the entire walk or for only part of it. Restrooms are at the Visitor’s Center. Admission is $3 or free with a pass for national lands.

Spencer LaJoye: Spencer LaJoye is a folk/pop singer-songwriter, violinist and vocal loop artist from Boston. They will be performing at Traditions Fair Trade, 300 Fifth Ave. SW, Olympia, from 7-9 p.m. Tickets are $20 and $15 for students and those with low income. For more information, contact 360-705-2819 or newtraditions33@gmail.com. Those interested must call for tickets and dinner reservations.

Thursday, July 7

Pier Peer @ Boston Harbor Marina: From 8-10 p.m., participants can find and interact with nocturnal underwater creatures that live under the pier at the Boston Harbor Marina, 312 73rd Ave. NE, Olympia. Kids and adults can safely learn about these creatures from volunteer naturalists. Admission for adults is $15 and $3 for kids. Register on the eventbrite site.

Saturday, July 9

Washington State Senior Games: Starting on July 9, seniors 50 years and older can participate in the Olympic-style sports event called the Washington State Senior Games. The events will be held at nearly two dozen locations throughout South Sound, and the games will go until Aug. 8. There is no fee for spectators. For more information, contact 360-413-0148 or go to the Washington State Senior Games website.

Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm 13th Anniversary: The Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm will celebrate its 13th anniversary at the farm, 9733 Evergreen Valley Road SE, and feature the farm’s favorite vendors. On the farm, there are 11 varieties of lavender and a gift shop. Contact 360-754-2002 or visit the lavendar farm’s website for details.

South Sound BBQ Festival: The South Sound BBQ Festival will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Huntamer Park, 618 Woodland Square Loop SE, Lacey. There will be free kids activities, a chicken wing eating contest, live entertainment, many food vendors, and a beer garden that will be open noon to 8 p.m. Admission is free; food is not. Visit the BBQ Festival website for more information.

Tenino Arts Creative Market: From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Tenino Arts Creative Market will be open at 147 Olympia St. N. in downtown Tenino. This event occurs on the second Saturday every month from May to September. Visitors can buy paintings, soap, jewelry and home décor from vendors. For more information, contact 360-273-6216 or jenny@teninoarts.org.

Northwest Pirate Festival: The Washington Renaissance Arts & Education Society will host a pirate festival from 10 a.m. July 9 to 7 p.m. July 10 at the Thurston County Fairgrounds, 3054 Carpenter Road SE, Lacey. Tickets are $19.95 for adults and $16.95 for seniors 60 years and older or those in the military. Kids under 12 get in for free. Tickets for the After Hours Party from 7 p.m. to midnight are $14.95. Find tickets here: https://nwpiratefestival.com/

Sunday, July 10

Music in the Park: The Olympia Downtown Alliance’s outdoor concert series moves back to Sylvester Park, 615 Washington St SE, Olympia, for this week’s concert by Seattle singer-songwriter Ian McFeron. The event will run weekly every Sunday through July 31. Admission is free. For more information, contact 360-357-8948 or visit the ODA’s website.

Downtown Sea Stroll: The Puget Sound Estuarium will host its Downtown Sea Stroll from 1-3 p.m. The Sea Stroll is about 1.5 miles long and will include free admission to the Estuarium. During the stroll, participants will learn about Olympia’s shoreline. The event will start at the Estuarium, 309 State Ave. NE, Olympia. Admission is $15 for adults. Kids under 12 are free. Register on eventbrite.

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