2008 Thurston County Fair

The 2008 Thurston County Fair runs July 30 through August 3. Thursday, July 31st is Kids Day and Buddy Day. Kids Day means half off admission for children 6-14 years (5 and under are free). Buddy Day means buy one get one free ride wristbands. Free parking is available at the North Thurston School District bus barn with a complimentary shuttle to and from the fairgrounds. All entertainment is free with admission.

Circus Gatti in town

The circus is in town for a night show at 7 this evening and then tomorrow 7/19 at 2 and then at 7pm.
The are performing at the Trials End Arena in Tumwater.
The website also has a coupon for a free kids admission.

Skyline Drive-In Movie Shelton

Last weekend we visited the Skyline Drive-In movie right outside of Shelton. We went to see Kung-Fu Panda. It was so much fun! We had to choose from the back four rows because we have a mini-van, that was perfect because we parked right by the concession stand to enjoy the convenience of popcorn and snow cones. I recommend this theater hands down, Its really cheap for a family night out. Children are 5-10 cost $.50. We payed 12.50 for all of us, excluding the popcorn and snow cones. Although you can bring your own (not suppose to!). This week's feature is Kung-Fu panda and then Indiana Jones. Our hope was that the kids would fall asleep and that we would watch the second feature, fat chance!

Tips: Bring a ball or a book to read to the kids while you wait for dusk a little after 9:15

Outdoor portable chairs was very comfortable

Pillows and blankets for cozy-ness

Summer Fun -- for Free!

June

• Super Saturday. Held at Evergreen every June. Entertainment, arts & crafts vendors, children's activities, community groups, native arts, etc. Free parking is available in the campus parking lots.
• Children's Entertainment Series. Runs June through August at Huntamer Park in Lacey. Shows are Tuesday evenings at 6:30pm. Performers change each year. There are usually a couple of food vendors and someone doing a free craft for the kids before the show.
• Summer Concerts in the Park Series. Runs June through August at Huntamer Park in Lacey. Concerts are Wednesdays from noon to 1pm and there are several food vendors.
• Outdoor Cinema Series. Also runs June through August at Huntamer Park in Lacey. Shows are on Saturday nights at dusk.
• Free Family Film Festival at Regal Cinema. Selected G & PG movies start at 10AM each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during the festival (Jun-Aug). First-come, first-served seating is limited to theater capacity so arrive early!
  

July

• Music in the Park Summer Concert Series. Held on Wednesdays in July and August from 7p-8p at Sylvester Park in Olympia. The entertainment line-up varies each year.
• July 3rd South Sound Fireworks Display. This is always a great show because the fireworks display is done by the same people that do the July 4th show at the Space Needle in Seattle. Our show on July 3rd is their practice session!
• July 4th Tumwater Artesian Festival. This includes a mid-morning parade, and evening festival and an awesome nighttime fireworks display at the Tumwater Valley Golf Course.
  
• Lakefair Kids Day, Parade and Fireworks. Lakefair is a big carnival-type event complete with rides*, live entertainment, food vendors, arts & crafts vendors, etc. It usually runs Thursday through Sunday. Saturday is Kids Day is at Sylvester Park with free activities like face painting, crafts, bounce house and puppet shows. Saturday night is the Grand Parade. Lakefair ends Sunday night at dusk with the fireworks display over Captial Lake.

  (*Ride wristbands are available for the kids on the Thursday for $20-25. Obviously not free, but good to know!)

• Concert at the Capitol. Listen to classical favorites performed by the Olympia Symphony Orchestra on the front lawn of the capitol. Bring a blanket and a picnic dinner!
  

August

• Pet Parade. This is an annual event sponsored by The Olympian and held in downtown Olympia. Children and their families enter the parade and show off their pets. Many of the pets and children are in costume, often tied to that year's parade theme. Some children enter the parade in costume without pets. It's great fun for everyone.
  
• Sand in the City. Put on by the Hand's On Children's Museum each year on the waterfront near Anthony's. Bring the kids to play in the big sandbox and view the sand sculptures. There are food vendors, live entertainment and hands-on activities.
• Harbor Days at Percival Landing & Port Plaza. This is an annual festival where tugboats return to the southernmost tip of Puget Sound for three days of entertainment, food, art, history, and a last farewell to the summer. Vintage, working and retired tugboats are moored at Olympia's Percival Landing. Many of them are open for tour on Saturday of the festival. Be on hand at noon Sunday as the tugs leave shore to participate in the Annual Harbor Days Tugboat Races, out in the deep channel of the bay. Extra attractions include a children's area, model tugboats, and the Hawaiian Chieftain, Lady Washington (star of the Pirates of the Caribbean) & her crew.

If you'd like to see something added to this list, feel free to contact me.