What’s happening this week around Thurston County

Saturday, Aug. 12

Delphi Craft & Swap Meet: McLane Grange will fill with two dozen vendors from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, selling their new, pre-owned and vintage treasures: household goods, jewelry, fabric art, seasonings, plants, handcrafted greeting cards, pickles, jams, smoked cheeses, handcrafted wood items, candles, wildlife photography, handcrafted pillowcases, a large collection of buttons and more. Proceeds from a bake sale go to families in need. Ample parking available. Please bring your extra eggs cartons and grocery bags for a Food Bank collection. The grange is at 931 Delphi Road SW, Olympia. The Delphi Craft & Swap Meet happens the second Saturday of each month through November.

Ron Funches standup comedy: The comedian will perform live at Olympia’s Capitol Theater at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. Tickets are $30 general admission and $25 for Olympia Film Society members. Doors open at 7 p.m. at the theater at 206 Fifth Ave. SE.

Woody Guthrie tribute and sing-along to benefit food bank: Historian, teacher, folksinger, and actor Joel Underwood will perform “That Ribbon of Highway: Songs & Stories of Woodie Guthrie in the Pacific NW” at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, at New Traditions, 300 Fifth Ave. SW, Olympia. Audiences can sing along to favorites such as “Roll on Columbia”, “Pastures of Plenty”, and “This Land is Your Land”, but those who attend also will hear the stories behind the songs. Admission is by donations of $5 to $25, which will benefit the Thurston County Food Bank.

Sunday, Aug. 13

Olympia Farmers Market celebrates Farmers Market Week: The Olympia Farmers Market will celebrate National Farmers Market Week through Sunday, Aug. 13, with special demonstrations led by vendors and community partners. At 10 a.m. Sunday, Slow Flood Greater Olympia will offer samplings of varieties of local tomatoes, and visitors can vote on their favorites. Visitors also can enter a free raffle to win a basket full of market goodies.

Fountain Dance Party: From 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13, at the Heritage Park Fountain in downtown Olympia, you can make a splash at OlyDance’s Fountain Dance. The group will transform the fountain into a dance floor, and those ranging from seasoned dancers to those just looking for a way to cool off can let the water and music move them. It is part of OlyDance’s Summer Gathering, which is a paid event, but this part of the festival is free for everyone. Checkout the rest of the Summer Gathering on the OlyDance website.

Tuesday, Aug. 15

Lacey in Tune Children’s Entertainment Series: This series wraps up for the season with a free 6:30 p.m. performance by magician Brian Ledbetter at Huntamer Park, 618 Woodland Square Loop SE, Lacey. Bring your own seating and a picnic, or purchase food from vendors on site.

“Open Sing” Vocal Workshop: Ever wanted to learn some basic singing techniques? Want a refresher or a “tune up” after the summer off? All are welcome to join Masterworks Choral Ensemble’s first “Open Sing” with new director Ben Luedcke, who is currently completing his doctorate in choral conducting at the University of Washington. The group will spend an hour vocalizing: exploring basic breathing techniques for singing, learning strategies for how to make and refine various vowel sounds, and investigating helpful tips for better using our full range. The event is from 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15, and again on Tuesday, Aug. 22, in the Great Hall at First United Methodist Church of Olympia, 1224 Legion Way SE, Olympia. No signup necessary. This free event is open to MCE members and the public.

Wednesday, Aug. 16

South Sound BIPOC Business EXPO: This events giving business people a chance to get to know businesses run by Black, Indigenous and other people of color will run from 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Aug. 16, at The Olympia Hotel at Capitol Lake, 2300 Evergreen Park Drive SW.

Thursday, Aug. 17

Olmsted Legacy at the Washington State Capitol Campus: Join the Washington State Historical Society at the Capitol Campus to explore the Olmsted legacy. Historian and filmmaker Laurence Cotton will dive deep into the life and career of Renaissance-man Frederick Law Olmsted, considered to be the father of landscape architecture in the United States. Cotton will give a visual tour of landscapes designed by Olmsted, with an added focus on the Pacific Northwest landscape legacy of John Charles Olmsted, Frederick’s nephew and adopted son. Historian Jennifer Ott will also present, focusing on Olmsted landscapes in the Puget Sound region. The event will conclude with a guided tour of the Capitol Campus led by state horticulturalist Brent Chapman. Meet in the Columbia Room in the Legislative Building at 1 p.m.; the free event will last until 4 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

Friday, Aug. 18

Plaza Pop-up Bubble Festival: The splash stream is open at East Bay Public Plaza, and Plaza Pop-Up activities are back! Join WET Science Center educators from noon to 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18, to blow bubbles like you’ve never seen them. Can you blow a huge bubble? A bubble you can hold? A square bubble? Pop on by and find out! The event is free. The East Bay Public Plaza is at 325 Marine Drive NE, Olympia.

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 are $30 during the online pre-sale, with designated drivers paying just $10. Tickets at the gate are $33, and must be purchased via credit card. Tickets can be printed or you can provide the bar code on your phone at the front gate. 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.

Boys and Girls Clubs Free Community Field Day: The Lacey branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County is hosting this free public event featuring bounce houses, yard games, music, face painting, lunch and a Dunk Tank Challenge. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at the Lacey club, 1105 Tracy Lane SE, Lacey. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to noon.

Farms Forever Dinner: The Community Farm Land Trust is putting on its annual fundraiser, the Farms Forever Dinner, from 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at Riverbend Ranch, 2841 184th Ave SE, Tenino. The dinner will be prepared by Chef Mike Holbein of Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar and former owner of Our Table. The dinner will raise money to preserve farmland in Thurston County. Tickets are $125.

Sea monster myths: Leviathans, krakens, and mermaids, oh my! These mythical creatures are known for being dangerous, but many sea creature myths are based on real aquatic organisms. Come design your own Puget Sound-inspired marine legend from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the WET Science Center, 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia. Admission is free.

Dazzling Dahlias: Join Jim Culp, vice-president of Olympia’s South Sound Dahlia Society, to learn about dahlias from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at the Lacey Timberland Library, 500 College St. SE. Dahlias are one of the most widely grown and best loved flowers because they come in a rainbow of colors and a range of shapes and sizes. The event is free.

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.