What’s happening this week around Thurston County
Saturday, Aug. 19
Tumwater Artesian Brewfest: This festival celebrating Tumwater’s brewing history features more than 100 beverage selections (beer with some cider and spirits too) from more than 40 vendors plus food, games, live music and more. It runs from 1-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at the Tumwater Valley Golf Club, 4611 Tumwater Valley Drive SE. Tickets at the gate are $33, and must be purchased via credit card. Designated drivers pay just $10. Tickets cover entry to the festival, a commemorative taster glass, and 5 tasting tokens; additional tokens can be purchased via credit card only for $1 each within the event. Must be 21 or older to attend. Event parking is $10, cash only, and benefits Thurston County Special Olympics.
Monday, Aug. 21
Smilemobile in Lacey: The Arcora Foundation SmileMobile is partnering with the North Thurston Public Schools to bring the mobile dental van to Lacey for two weeks starting Monday, Aug. 21. The brightly painted 39-foot dental clinic on wheels will be at Timberline High School, 6120 Mullen Road SE, Lacey, Aug. 21-24 and Aug. 28-31. SmileMobile’s dental team will provide examinations to babies (first tooth), children, youth, pregnant/postpartum people, and adults with Apple Health and those who are uninsured. They will provide an exam and oral health education. Depending on the patient needs, they may also provide fluoride varnish, sealants, simple extraction, fillings, emergent care, and written referral. To make an appointment or get more information, call 888-286-9105.
Thursday, Aug. 24
Rainier Bluegrass Festival: The 29th annual festival will take place Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 24-27, at Wilkowski Park in Rainier. Dry camping is available with no reservations, but prior to Thursday a fee of $25/night is payable to the City of Rainier. A donation of $35 per tent/RV to We Love Rainier, Washington (WLRW) for the weekend is suggested. No alcohol is allowed and dogs must be on a leash.
Friday, Aug. 25
Olympia participates in regional natural disaster planning: City of Olympia emergency management, climate, utilities and community planning staff are participating in Thurston Regional Planning Council’s fourth update to its regional Hazards Mitigation Plan. This plan has identified over 100 actions our region can take to help reduce impacts from natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods, severe weather and wildfires. The city is seeking public feedback on the plan’s proposed actions. Actions include developing an Extreme Heat Incident Response and Illness Prevention Plan, developing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan, relocating and elevating structures in flood hazard areas, performing seismic upgrades to water storage reservoirs, adding backup power systems to critical facilities, and performing more public education about the effects of hazards and steps that people could take to protect their loved ones and property. Olympians are invited to visit an online open house at their convenience to learn about the identified natural hazards, the plans’ actions, and take surveys. The Council is hosting the self-paced open house and feedback opportunity through Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, at www.trpc.org/hazards.
South Sound Block Party: This two-day music festival happening Friday and Saturday, Aug. 25-26, features more than 15 live bands plus local vendors, games, a beer garden, and food and drink offerings. It takes place on the Port of Olympia’s Northpoint, 1210 Marine Drive NE, Olympia. Admission is $40 per day or $75 for a weekend pass, and attendance is capped at 3,500.
Arbutus Folk School free Mariachi music event: On Friday, Aug. 25, community members are invited to a free, all-ages music event with Mariachi Mexico to enjoy classic mariachi tunes and learn about the history of this important musical tradition. The concert, hosted by the nonprofit Arbutus Folk School, will take place from 6-7 p.m. on the main stage of the Olympia Family Theater, 612 Fourth Ave. E. The event is presented with the support of Northwest Heritage Resources, a Washington state cultural non-profit organization dedicated to conserving cultural heritage and promoting the diverse cultural traditions of the Pacific Northwest.
US 12 & Sargent Road Roundabout Ribbon Cutting: At 1 p.m. Aug. 25, celebrate the completion of Thurston County’s U.S. Highway 12 and Sargent Road roundabout project with the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, the Board of County Commissioners, Thurston County Public Works staff, and other partners. The newly constructed roundabout in Rochester will optimize traffic flow for cars and large trucks and improve emergency response, and is designed to accommodate increased traffic from anticipated future development in southwest Thurston County. The event will be at the northwest corner of US 12 and Sargent Road Southwest. Parking will be available adjacent to VJ’s Builder Barn.
Tenino Movies in the Park: The Tenino Music Festival, Tenino Eagles and Tenino Lions will host this free screening of “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” at the Tenino City Park on Park Avenue East. Concessions will be available.
Keep Talking Movie Night at the Evergreen Longhouse: The PNW Alutiiq Culture Camp and House of Welcome-Evergreen Longhouse will host a movie night and panel discussion to celebrate the Alutiiq language revitalization movement through the documentary “Keep Talking.” The film screening will be at 6 p.m. at The Evergreen State College House of Welcome, 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW, Olympia, followed by a panel discussion at 7:15 p.m. All are welcome, and admission is by a suggested donation of $5.
Saturday, Aug. 26
2023 Olympia Bon Odori: Olympia’s Bon Odori festival returns from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at a new location: South Puget Sound Community College’s Olympia campus, 2011 Mottman Road SW. Hosted by the local chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League, the free cultural event will feature Japanese dance, taiko drumming and refreshments.
Rainier Roundup Days Parade: This traditional parade starts at 11 a.m. in the town of Rainier and runs on Main Street from Binghampton Street to Myers Street.
Bands at the Barn: Olympia-based Olson Bros. Band will perform at the final Bands at the Barn summer concert at Schilter Family Farm, 141 Nisqually Cutoff Road SE, Olympia, on Saturday, Aug. 26. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. with the band taking the outdoor stage at 7 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for a concert under the stars. Olson Bros. Band, featuring Luke and Isaac Olson, have opened for country stars ranging from Dwight Yoakam to Dylan Scott, Lonestar and Phil Vassar. The farm’s giant bounce pillow, zip swings, trike track and busy bee playground will be open with burgers, brats and brews available from the farm kitchen and beer barn. Tickets can be purchased in advance on the Schilter Family Farm website or at the gate Saturday evening. No outside coolers are allowed and bags are subject to seach.
Young Choreographers Showcase: This 12th annual performance hosted by Ballet Northwest will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at Capital High School, 2707 Conger Ave. NW, Olympia. It will feature 15 world premieres, including ballet, contemporary dance, hip-hop and more. Admission is $19, and tickets may be purchased on eventbrite.
Art on the Farm: Join local makers for a day of art, community, and inspiration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at 8708 Johnson Point Road NE, Olympia. Original paintings, pottery, jewelry, woodwork, apothecary goodness and more will be on display outdoors and for sale. Parking at the event is limited. No pets, please. Cash and check preferred; Venmo and PayPal are accepted.
Book signing with Peter Johansson: Drop in to Browsers Bookshop from 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, to meet author Peter Johansson and have him sign his new book, “Criterion Tuesdays: A Fan’s Journey Through World Cinema.” Johansson is a registered nurse who lives in Lacey with his Wheaten terrier. A movie nerd, he watched 100 Criterion Collection films spanning 22 countries and almost a century of motion pictures and shared his discoveries in 100 engaging, funny, and deeply personal essays collected into a book.
Sunday, Aug. 27
Capital City Vette Fest XVIII: Corvettes de Olympia invites Corvette owners and fans to the 18th annual all-Corvette Car Show at Titus-Will Chevrolet, 2255 Carriage Loop SW, Olympia from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27. (Corvette check-in starts at 7:30 a.m.) Corvette owners can choose to compete for trophies or “display only” in all categories of Corvettes from classic to new; plus there will be raffle prizes and silent auctions for all attendees. Proceeds from Vette Fest go to automotive scholarships at South Puget Sound Community College. For more information, go to corvettesdeolympia.org
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.
