What’s happening this weekend around Thurston County
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.
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, 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 dance premieres, including ballet, contemporary dance, hip-hop and more. Admission is $19, and tickets may be purchased on eventbrite.
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 personal essays collected into a book.
Washington State Garlic Fest: The Washington State Garlic Fest, happening Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 26-27, features live music, shopping opportunities — including a vampire market aiming to repudiate the rumor that garlic repels the undead — and many different garlic-focused dishes. There’s garlic ice cream, along with garlic shaved ice, smoked garlic heads and deep-fried garlic. The fest is happening from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds, 1909 S. Gold St., Centralia. Tickets are $7 a day, with children 6 and younger admitted free.
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
National Cinema Day: Thurston County residents can get a cheap reprieve from the weekend’s heat by catching a movie for $4 at Cinemark Theatres in west Olympia and Regal Cinemas in Lacey. The deal is good for all show times for one day only, and it includes all movie formats, including IMAX. Each theater company is running its own deal on snacks. The Cinemark Century at Capital Mall is offering $1 off any size popcorn, soda and candy. The Regal Martin Village on Martin Way is offering guests a $4 combo with a small popcorn and small drink, according to its website. Regal Crown Club members also will earn an extra 4,000 credits if the movie they choose on Sunday is in IMAX. Cinemark is showing nine movies on Sunday, and Regal is showing 15; deals include new releases as well as the re-release of cult-classic “Jurassic Park” in 3D, as well as a special sing-along version of Disney’s live-action “The Little Mermaid.”
Monday, Aug. 28
Meet and greet with governor candidates: Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce has invited all five candidates running for Governor in 2024 to a meet and greet taking place Monday, Aug. 28, at The Station, 120 S. Tower, Centralia. Attendees are encouraged to arrive by 8:30 a.m. for those wanting to order coffee or other beverages. The formal Meet & Greet begins at 9 a.m. with each candidate offering a brief presentation. Candidates running for Governor include state Attorney General Bob Ferguson, state Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, former King County Sheriff David Reichert, state Senator Mark Mullet, and retired U.S. Department of Energy Director Misipati Semi Bird. Bird and Mullet have confirmed appearing Monday.
Thursday, Aug. 31
International Overdose Awareness Day: Thurston County Public Health and Social Services will host an event Thursday, Aug. 31, at Heritage Park in Olympia to observe International Overdose Awareness Day. Attendees will take time to remember those lost to fatal overdose, and celebrate individuals who have survived overdose and those who have assisted in rescuing someone from overdose. Narcan (naloxone) will be distributed by Thurston County public health staff, who also will provide training on how to administer it to someone overdosing on an opioid. More than 20 organizations will be at the event to offer various resources. Information also will be available for accessing medications for opioid use disorder, information on safe storage of medication and where to dispose of medication. The event will run from 1-7 p.m., with the resource fair running from 1-5 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 1
Olympia Harbor Days’ 50th Celebration: South Sound Maritime Heritage Association will present the 50th celebration of Olympia’s maritime history over Labor Day weekend along downtown Olympia’s Budd Inlet waterfront boardwalk from Percival Landing to the Port of Olympia’s Port Plaza Park. The festival will run from 5-9:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 3. This year’s event continues the tradition of the Puget Sound’s vintage tugboat races at noon Sunday, as well as showcasing historic ships, tribal activities, four makers markets, live entertainment, kids activities and two food G’Alleys. But it also has added a drone light show over Budd Inlet at 9:30 p.m. Friday evening. Tugboat Chippewa, formerly known as the Roland Foss, is the 2023 Logo Tug and returned to Olympia Harbor Days after a full restoration by owner Jeff Mincheff of Tacoma. The Lady Washington, the state’s Tall Ship, will arrive mid-week and the historic Mosquito Fleet Steam-Ship Virginia V will be cruising the South Sound. Both ships will offer dock-side touring and harbor sailings and tours of Budd Bay. Kids engage in hands-on activities including a LEGO Harbor Build, marine science area with a touch tank offered by the Puget Sound Estuarium, and a tugboat make-race-take activity with the Hands on Children’s Museum. For more information, go to www.MaritimeOly.org and www.HarborDays.com.
Saturday, Sept. 2
Tiny Tides Storytime: Head to the Puget Sound Estuarium every first Saturday of the month for Tiny Tides Storytime. Estuarium team members will read an estuary-themed picture book from its Children’s Library, and participants will be able to explore the exhibits and meet estuary animal ambassadors. Cost is $15 for adults and $3 per child. Must register for the event due to limited space. Masks are highly recommended. For questions or more information, contact Programs@pugetsoundestuarium.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.
