What’s happening this week around Thurston County
Saturday, July 22
2023 Nisqually BBQ Rally: The Nisqually Valley BBQ Rally is an annual event filled with a whole lot of barbecue and family fun! It runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Yelm City Park, and includes an amateur barbecue competition, youth burger challenge, pro food and business vendors, live entertainment, and a beer garden.
Good Shepherd Eco-Fair: Head to the eco-fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 22, to see what you can do with your home, garden, native plants, trees, driving, travel, conservation and much more to help preserve a livable climate. The fair will feature speakers and booths from ecological organizations in the South Sound area. There also will be lawn games for children during the hours of the fair, plus an evening concert at 6 p.m. There is no admission fee but some food items will be available for purchase. It is all part of The Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd’s two-month Eco-Love Festival: God’s Creation for All Ages featuring outdoor events throughout July and August. Visit the Eco-Love Festival webpage for more information. The fair will be in the parking lot of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1601 North St., Olympia, across the street from Olympia High School football stadium, where parking will be available.
Bands @ the Barn with Seth Stauffer & Full Band: Schilter Family Farms in the Nisqually Valley is again hosting monthly outdoor concerts. Farm will be open 5:30-9:30 p.m., Seth Stauffer and his full 6-person band will start playing about 7 p.m. Enjoy an evening of food and drinks, games and activities for the kids. Tickets are $16 on the farm’s website, and meal punch cards are available too.
2023 Oregon Trail Days: Oregon Trail Days is an annual event hosted by Puget Sound Free Trappers and the Tenino Area Chamber of Commerce the fourth weekend of July at Tenino City Park on Park Avenue East. The event includes a parade on Sunday, July 23, a rock and gem show, black powder shoots, vendors of all kinds, and lots of food. See the Chamber’s website for more details.
Summer Nights at the Port: The Port of Olympia is celebrating the season — and its view of the water and the Olympic Mountains — with Summer Nights at the Port, a pair of events featuring free music, food trucks and a beer garden. The first concert is by country-cover combo Uncle Daddy and the King Tide from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 22, at the port’s NorthPoint, 1210 Marine Drive NE, Olympia. The food and drinks go on sale at 5 p.m. Bring chairs and blankets and dress in layers.
Sunday, July 23
Music in the Park: Olympia bluegrass-folk trio The Pine Hearts are playing the free downtown Olympia show at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 23. The hourlong concert is in Sylvester Park, 615 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Bring your own chairs or blankets.
Scherler Sundays Free Summer Concert Series: Head to the backside of the old Carnegie Library at 620 Franklin Street SE in downtown Olympia for a free outdoor concert series sponsored by Scherler Beer at 3 p.m. each Sunday through Aug. 13. This Sunday’s show will feature Guidon Bear, Anna Oxygen and Kicking Giant. The events are family friendly and include an interview of the performers by Markly Morrison of the podcast Low Profile. There is limited seating, but lawn chairs are welcome. Food and drink will be available for purchase.
The FABBA Show – A Tribute to ABBA: Head to the Washington Center for the Performing Arts at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 23, to see the FABBA Show, a tribute to the 1970s Swedish supergroup ABBA. A string quartet from the local Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia will perform two songs with group. Tickets are $35 to $65, plus ticket fees, and may be purchased on the Washington Center website, by phone at 360-753-8586 or at the Theatre Box Office, 512 Washington St. SE.
TBH Summer Fest: Olympia’s Temple Beth Hatfiloh is celebrating 150 years of Jewish life in Olympia, Rabbi Seth Goldstein’s 50th birthday, Goldstein’s 20 years as a rabbi at TBH, and the one-year anniversary of its new courtyard at 201 Eighth Ave. SE. There will be food, music, children’s activities, and fundraising through a basket raffle and Dunk the Rabbi. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 23.
Wednesday, July 26
2023 Thurston County Fair: The annual fair opens at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 26, and runs daily through Sunday, July 30, at the Thurston County Fairgrounds at 3054 Carpenter Road SE in Lacey. The fair — which has happened for more than 150 years — educates, promotes, and showcases the agricultural, business, industry, and home life of Thurston County residents, but it also includes plenty of fun and carnival rides. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors over 60, $5 for youth ages 6-14, and free for those 5 and younger. For all the details, go to the fair’s webpage.
Welcome to Medicare Zoom Presentation: This online presentation at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 26, is an introduction to options for new Medicare beneficiaries. It covers Parts A and B, Medicare Advantage Plans, Part D Prescription Plans, and Medicare supplements and programs available to limited income beneficiaries. To register, email jrich@southsoundseniors.org or call and leave a message at Senior Services SHIBA program, 360-586-6181 ext. 134. A registration link will be sent to you.
Friday, July 28
Lacey in Tune: This week’s free concert and a movie at Lacey’s Huntamer Park features the Olson Bros Band with a concert at 7 p.m. followed by a screening of “Top Gun Maverick” at dusk. You can grab dinner or a treat from one of the food vendors on site beginning at 6 p.m. or bring your own picnic. Bring your own blanket or seating as well.
Plaza Pop-up -- What Floats Your Boat? The splash stream is open at East Bay Public Plaza and free activities are back. Join WET Science Center educators in the plaza at 325 Marine Drive NE in Olympia from noon to 3 p.m. for hands-on activities, crafts, and outdoor fun. This week, do you think you’ve got what it takes to engineer a boat? Use a variety of materials to craft your boat, and refine your design as you test it in the reclaimed water stream.
Saturday, July 29
Cops, Cars N Kids: From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 29, join the Lacey Police Department for its annual free community event for all ages in the parking lot at LPD, 420 College St. SE. You can meet police officers and SWAT members, check out their vehicles and equipment, and watch demonstrations on defensive tactics, handcuffing and more. There will be free popcorn and snow cones, and other food truck foods for purchase. The event also includes KAYO radio, bounce houses, rock painting, free prizes, a Home Depot kids clinic and Bloodworks NW for a blood drive.
St. John’s Church Garage Sale: On Saturday, July 28, St. John’s Episcopal Church at 114 20th Ave. SE at Capitol Way will host the church annual July Jumble from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The garage sale will feature a jumble of housewares, decor, toys, books and more. Proceeds support the church’s community outreach, music and concert programs.
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.
