What’s happening this week around Thurston County

Saturday, Oct. 14

Tumwater Craft District opening event: The new Market Building in the Tumwater Craft District is opening, and to celebrate, it is hosting an event from 2-6 p.m. Saturday. Stop by the venue at 4242 Capitol Blvd. SE, Tumwater, to visit all the businesses and enjoy food, drinks, games, live music, and a beer garden. Open to all ages. Tenants in the new building include the Olympia Seafood Co., Sweetlee’s Ice Cream, Kluh Art Gallery, Finn River Farm & Cidery, Mount Olympus Brewing, Percival Creek, and Tumwater Taco Co.

2023 South Sound Clam Chowder Challenge: Lacey Hawks Prairie Rotary invites the community to their fundraiser, the 2nd Annual South Sound Clam Chowder Competition, from 4-7 p.m. Saturday at the Lacey Community Center in Woodland Creek Community Park, 6729 Pacific Ave. SE. Early tickets are $25 online or $30 at the door; kids 12 and younger get in free with a paid adult ticket. A ticket gets you 12 chowder tastes and a chance to vote for the best chowder in Thurston County. (Must be 18 years old or older to vote.) The competitors include River’s Edge, Fire Creek Grill, The Cove, Budd Bay Cafe, Beau Legs, Uptown Grill, Indian Summer, Sidewalk Cafe, Lacey Rotary, Hawks Prairie Rotary and Jubilee Neighbors. Heavy appetizer stations will serve hot dogs, bratwurst and grilled cheese.

Masterworks Choral Ensemble’s Fall Festival: Head to the Washington Center for the Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday to experience the joy of live choral music. Masterworks will sing seasonal autumn music under the leadership of its new artistic director Ben Luedcke, and the choral group also is welcoming dozens of new members. Ticket prices range from $24 to $12 on the Washington Center website. The center is at 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia.

Monday, Oct. 16

Vietnam War-era Veterans Pinning Ceremony: At 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16 at Lacey City Hall, U.S. Rep. Marilyn Strickland will host this ceremony to honor local veterans in partnership with the U.S. Vietnam Veterans Pin Commission. Strickland will recognize the service of each veteran or their surviving family member, and present honorees with a ceremonial lapel pin as a symbol of the country’s gratitude. “As a member of Congress and as the daughter of a veteran, it is my deepest honor to recognize Vietnam War era veterans and their families for their extraordinary sacrifice,” Strickland said in a news release. The pinning ceremony is part of an ongoing national effort to honor all veterans who served from Nov. 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975. If you or someone you know would like to be honored, visit Strickland’s website. Lacey City Hall is at 420 College St. SE.

Tuesday, Oct. 17

Welcome to Medicare Zoom Presentation: This presentation at 1 p.m. Tuesday 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 jrich@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.

Sierra Club candidate meet and greet: The public is invited to join the South Sound group for this free gathering at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NW, with virtual meeting access via Zoom. Tables will be available, so feel free to bring non-alcoholic beverages and snacks from home or takeout orders from nearby restaurants to enjoy during the evening — re-usable containers where possible appreciated. Registration is not required. The General Election on Nov. 7 includes local races for City Council members and Mayor, County Commissioners and other governing authorities. Several candidates and campaign representatives have confirmed their participation to speak about the issues important in this election. The list of speakers will be updated through Oct. 17 and can be found at the online meeting notice.

Conversation on the Israel-Gaza War: The world is watching as the scale of human catastrophe in Gaza intensifies. After a surprise attack from Hamas that brutally killed over 1,300 Israelis, the Israeli military launched airstrikes targeting residential buildings and public services that have killed nearly 1,800 Palestinians, including over 300 children. Israel’s blockade of the Gaza strip has made water, food and power scarce and the medical system is collapsing. Understanding the historical context of this conflict is essential. Join The Rachel Corrie Foundation, Economics for Everyone, and the Olympia Movement for Justice & Peace for this educational event at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, in Room B at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NW. It will feature a panel and ample time for questions, answers, and comments. For more information, email info@rachelcorriefoundation.org or

Wednesday, Oct. 18

Welcome to Medicare In Person Presentation: This presentation at 4 p.m. Wednesday at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NE, 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. For more information, email Jrich@southsoundseniors.org or call and leave a message at Senior Services SHIBA program at 360-586-6181 ext. 134.

Thursday, Oct. 19

Welcome to Medicare Zoom Presentation: This presentation at 10 a.m. Thursday 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, email jrich@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.

Welcome to Medicare Presentation in Mason County: This presentation at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Mason County Senior Activity Center in The Pavillion, 190 Sentry Drive, Shelton, 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. For more information, email Jrich@southsoundseniors.org or call and leave a message at Senior Services SHIBA program at 360-586-6181 ext. 134.

Saturday, Oct. 21

Doo! Boo-Coda Casket Races: Join some of the spooky season fun in the town of Bucoda (aka Boo-Coda) at 11 a.m. Saturday on Main Street in front of Joe’s Place and the Bucoda Community Center. Build your own casket or borrow one from the Town of Bucoda. Teams consist of 3-4 pallbearers and one corpse. The race course is about 175 feet long. Awards will be given for overall fastest times as well as “Dead Last, Scariest Casket, Funniest Casket, Most Original Casket, and Best Costumed Team & Cortege.” There also will be the Mayor’s Cup with cities in Thurston and Lewis County competing against each other. Race categories include First Responders, Media, Middle Schools, High Schools, College/University, Non-profit Organizations, Government Agencies, Elected Officials, Candidates for Elected Offices, Financial Institutions (Banks/Credit Unions) Real Estate Firms, Bars/Taverns, Chambers of Commerce, Businesses, Families (2 Adults, 3 Youth) and Friends. Cost to compete is $100 and includes T-shirts for participants. Whether you compete or watch, you can enjoy face painting, live music, costume contests, dance performances, a haunted market with food and arts & crafts.

Historical Forest Grove Cemetery Tours: Learn Tenino and Bucoda history by touring the cemetery where you will encounter living history vignettes. Come early for a daylight tour or come late for a luminary tour between 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday. Proceeds benefit Forest Grove Cemetery at 18011 Northcraft Road SE, Tenino. Tickets are available at Eventbrite or at the gate. Cost is $15 per person or $35 for families (parents with minor children).

Outer Space Adventure via a portable planetarium: The WET Science Center will host guest educators from the Museum of Flight for a Portable Planetarium program to explore the solar system you call home. One-hour planetarium shows are at 10:15 am, 11:30 am, 1:15 pm and 2:30 pm. Seats are limited and masks are highly recommended. Space-themed crafts and activities available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The WET Science Center is at 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia. Admission is free.

Hands On Children’s Museum Boo Bash kicks off: The annual Boo Bash will run Oct. 21-31 this year at the museum at 414 Jefferson NE, Olympia. Celebrate fall with a bounty of family-friendly thrills and spooky treats. Dress up in your favorite costumes and bring your little ghouls and ghosts, superheroes, and princesses to the Hands On Children’s Museum for a haunting good time. Enjoy Halloween-inspired experiences and enchanting delights without the fright. Online reservations recommended to get priority check-in. Members receive expedited entry at the member check-in location. Pre-registered guests are guaranteed entry. Walk-ins will be accommodated on a space available basis only. General admission is $16.95.

Pickleball tournament at the YMCA: Join the South Sound YMCA for a round-robin Fall Pickleball Tournament, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 21-22 at the Briggs Community YMCA at Henderson and Yelm Highway in Olympia. All are welcome to register and participate in this good-spirited and competitive event. Registration is $25 for YMCA members, and $35 for non-members. Individual players will sign up as a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player, and will be paired with other players each game to foster relationships and test skills. Play runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Play on Saturday is based on the skill level players register for, and winners from Saturday will move on to Sunday to compete in the finals. The community is invited to join and watch the action.

Sunday, Oct. 22

Bird Walk Downtown Birding Tours: Join the Puget Sound Estuarium for a walk around downtown to eye the sky for the various birds that call South Sound home. Participants will walk to Heritage Park and the Fifth Avenue Dam, stopping along the way to observe how birds have adapted to live in urban areas. Stroll along Capitol Lake to listen for the unique calls of killdeer and watch the feeding behaviors of dabbling mallards and diving buffleheads. Keep an eye out for soaring osprey, or under the Fourth Avenue Bridge for roosting pigeons. Have your binoculars ready at the boardwalk to look for belted kingfisher and great blue herons along West Bay. Before heading back, the tour stops at Percival Landing to talk about how Olympia’s estuaries have changed and the effect it has had on bird populations. No birding experience is required. The walk will be two hours and cover about two miles, so wear comfy walking shoes. Please bring your own binoculars. The Bird Walk tour also includes a tour of the Estuarium facility. Register on eventbrite. Price is $15 for adults or free for those 12 and younger.

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.