What’s happening this week around Thurston County
Sunday, May 14
Olympia Wooden Boat Fair: The 41st annual Olympia Wooden Boat Fair continues Sunday, May 14, at Percival Landing Park in downtown Olympia. On display will be many types of wooden boats, local artisans, an International Food Alley, and live music. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. For more information, directions or boat and vendor applications, visit the Wooden Boat Fair website.
Bigelow House Museum open for visitors: The updated and revitalized Bigelow House Museum will open for visitors on Mother’s Day, May 14, with tours at 1, 2, and 3 p.m. Mothers will be treated to a special gift and the museum will be honoring the memory of Mary Ann Campbell Bigelow, who was Washington State Mother of the Year in 1964. Tours will be limited to 10 people each and visitors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Admission is $5 for adults; $4 for seniors and students and $2 for children under 18 with a maximum of $15 per family. Olympia Historical Society & Bigelow House Museum members have free admission. Visitors will see all of the upstairs and downstairs of the house as well as new displays and decor.
9th Annual Mother’s Day 5K and Kids 1-Mile Run: The Family Support Center of South Sound invites the community to celebrate moms and raise money to support families and survivors in the community on Sunday, May 14. The Mother’s Day run begins and ends at the Hands On Children’s Museum, 414 Jefferson St. NE, Olympia. Activities run from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Sunday. The fee for the 5K is $30; there’s no fee for the kids’ run.
Oly Town USL Women’s Soccer doubleheader: Matches vs. PDX Football Club are scheduled for 1 and 3 p.m. Sunday, May 14, at South Sound Stadium, 4201 Sixth Ave NE, Lacey. Single tickets are $12 and are available at www.olytownfc.com. Mother’s Day Match activities include a photo booth, flowers for moms, a kids zone and food trucks.
Monday, May 15
LoveOly Shop & Dine Week: This Olympia Downtown Alliance promotional week runs May 15-21. Show your favorite downtown Olympia shops and restaurants some love while earning cool merchandise. Participating businesses will be listed at DowntownOlympia.org. Pick up a passport at any participating business and earn five stamps and you can turn in your passport for LoveOly items. Repeat to enter to win gift certificates to participating businesses.
Tuesday, May 16
Shoreline Master Program public hearing: The Thurston County community is invited to provide comment on proposed changes to the Shoreline Master Program (SMP) public hearing at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 16. The county’s SMP regulates development along the shorelines of Puget Sound as well as large lakes and streams. It has not been significantly updated since its 1990 adoption. The county is considering updates to shoreline jurisdiction, environment designations, and associated protections. The hearing will take place online via Zoom and in person in Room 110 of the Atrium Building, 3000 Pacific Ave SE, Olympia. Find information on how to attend via Zoom at www.thurstonsmp.org. Instructions are highlighted at the top of the page. Those unable to attend are encouraged to submit comment in writing ahead of the public hearing by email, in person, or online.
Wednesday, May 17
Public hearing on Intercity Transit’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP): Intercity Transit seeks comments from riders and the community on the proposed 2024-2027 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), a summary of planned projects that may include and use federal funding. A public hearing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, at the IT administrative office, 510 Pattison St. SE, Olympia; the public also can provide comment by noon Wednesday, May 17, via mail at TIP Public Hearing, P.O. Box 659, Olympia, WA 98507; via email at jgould@intercitytransit.com; via phone at 360-705-5808. Review a draft copy of the 2024-2027 TIP online.
Thurston County Chamber’s annual meeting: The community is invited to attend the Thurston County Chamber’s 118th annual meeting at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 17, at the Olympia Hotel at Capitol Lake, 2300 Evergreen Park Drive, Olympia. Ginny Burton, a renowned advocate for providing structure and tools while people are incarcerated, will be the keynote speaker; Burton’s overcame addiction, homelessness, and incarceration to achieve academic success. Admission is $45 for members and $50 for non-members.
Thursday, May 18
History Pub at Heritage Distilling: At 6 p.m. Thursday, May 18, Mike Pavlich, a retired firefighter, will discuss the history of the Tumwater Fire Department. TFD’s tagline “It’s the Water and a Lot More” is more than just a clever use of the old brewery’s slogan — the department started with volunteers from the Olympia Brewing Company. This event is presented by the Olympia Tumwater Foundation and Tumwater Parks and Recreation. Admission is free. Heritage Distilling Co. is at 4200 Capitol Blvd. SE, Suite 104.
Olympia World Affairs Council meeting: The council will host Washington Lt. Gov. Denny Heck for remarks and questions about the Office of the Lieutenant Governor’s involvement in international affairs, as well as his views on the current state of politics. This event will be in-person only at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 18, at the Thurston Economic Development Council/South Puget Sound Community College Lacey Campus, 4220 Sixth Ave. SE. The event is Free and open to the public. More info at www.olympiawac.org.
In Person Medicare Presentation in Mason County: The Mason County Senior Activity Center’s Pavillion at 190 Sentry Drive in Shelton will host this 11 a.m. introduction to options for new Medicare beneficiaries. It will cover Parts A and B; Medicare Advantage Plans; Part D Prescription Plans; and Medicare Supplements and Programs available to limited income beneficiaries. For more information, email Jrich@southsoundseniors.org or call and leave a message at Senior Services SHIBA program, 360-586-6181 ext. 134.
Comedy Underground: This comedy show is back at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts to make you laugh. This time, Orin Levin, a stand-up comedian from the Bay Area, will perform. He has appeared on the “Late Late Show with James Corden,” and was named “New Face” at the 2022 Just for Laughs Comedy Festival. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. and the show is recommended for those ages 18 and older. Tickets are $36 for reserved seats, $28 for GA. The center is at 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia.
Friday, May 19
“Uncaged” art exhibit presentation: To accompany the art exhibit at Olympia City Hall, members of The Evergreen State College’s Latinx student group Familia will present “We Are Seeds,” speaking about their passion for learning, the connections to their communities of origin and more. The program begins at 6 p.m. at Olympia City Hall, 601 Fourth Ave. E.
The Center Salon: Head to the Washington Center for the Performing Arts’ 6th Annual Salon at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 19. This popular event offers an opportunity to interact with local poets, authors, musicians, and artists. Performers will include Robyn Chance, Carolyn Fry, Luz Gaxiola, Jennifer Hermann, Lennée Reid, Daven Tillinghast, Jana Tyrrell, Christina Vega, and Bryan Willis. The event is in the center’s black box theater at 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Tickets are $37 for reserved seats and $26 for general admission.
Saturday, May 20
The South Sound Fly Fishers Club annual auction: Join the Fly Fishers from 5 to 8 p.m. at Black Lake Grange, 6011 Black Lake Blvd SW, Olympia, to raise money for its conservation efforts, including Project Healing Waters, Salmon and Steelhead Conservation, NW Youth Conservation, Fly Fishing Academy, and Casting For A Cure. Auction items include a wide range of fly fishing gear and a 2-Day Guided Fly Fishing trip in Montana for 2 that includes meals and lodging. All are welcome to attend.
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebration: The Asian Pacific Islander Coalition of South Puget Sound, in partnership with the City of Olympia and Asia Pacific Cultural Center, invite all to join in celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander heritage and cultures from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 20, at the Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NW, Olympia, with performances, food vendors, arts, crafts, resource tables and free activities. For questions about the event, contact the Asian Pacific Islander Coalition of South Puget Sound at apic.southpugetsound@gmail.com or 323-609-5757.
Inventor Lab: Build, create, and design something that has never been made before! Bring your wildest ideas and the WET Science Center will provide supplies to unleash your creativity. Activities run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the center at 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia. Admission is free.
Lacey Spring Fun Fair: Join the fun this year for wild rides, live performances, vendors, and food concessions from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 20, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 21, at Saint Martin’s University, 5300 Pacific Ave SE, Lacey. Admission is free.
Art in the Parks Workshop Series in Tumwater: Photography in the Park will be the topic of this photo walk through Tumwater Historical Park and Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls. Network with other photographers, take photos throughout the two parks, then share what you have captured. The event, for those ages 14 and older, runs 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 20, and begins at the Historical Park, 802 Deschutes Way SW. The fee is $15. More event and registration information: www.ci.Tumwater.wa.us/Arts or 360-754-4160.
Sunday, May 21
Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia (SOGO) May Concert: Another season draws to a close for Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia. Student violin soloist Maria Aurelio will perform a work by Antonín Dvorák, and SOGO will honor its Class of 2023 graduating seniors. The Conservatory Orchestra will also play Mexican composer Arturo Márquez’ Danzón No. 2. The concert is at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 21, at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Tickets are $21 to $11.
Oly Town USL Men’s Match: The team will take on Ballard FC at 3 p.m. at South Sound Stadium, 4201 Sixth Ave. NE, Lacey. Single tickets are $12, and those 12 and younger get in free. Tickets are available at www.olytownfc.com.
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.
