Thrifty Thurston Plans a Family-Friendly Visit to Arts Walk and Procession of the Species

arts walk olympia
Families can enjoy free Friday-night admission, hands-on art activities, and face painting at the Hands On Children’s Museum. Photo credit: Hands On Children's Museum.
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By Gale Hemmann

heritage bankMusic. Dance. Kids’ art. Wild animal costumes. Whether you have a toddler, preschooler or elementary schooler (or a combination of the three), Olympia’s Spring Arts Walk weekend holds even more in store to see and do than you ever imagined. This year’s festivities will be held on Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26, 2014 throughout the streets of downtown Olympia. Arts Walk (Friday and Saturday) and Procession of the Species (Saturday) promise to be full of new and unique must-do’s as well as Olympia classics for families to enjoy. Arts Walk weekend is free and open to everyone, and over 100 local businesses participate.

To help you make the most of your experience, this ThurstonTalk writer took a sneak peak at the upcoming Procession and Arts Walk happenings to find some gems for kids and parents. Here are some can’t-miss events.

arts walk olympia
Families can enjoy free Friday-night admission, hands-on art activities, and face painting at the Hands On Children’s Museum. Photo credit: Hands On Children’s Museum.

Friday:

Saturday:

  • Family Activities: To get your art on before Procession, bring the whole family back to the LOTT WET Science Center for free hands-on activities from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
  • Listen to Ukulele: In the mood for some live music? Bring the kids to hear youth ukulele music (ukuleles are making a comeback in popularity right now) at the Thomas Studio Art Gallery from 12:00 – 8:00 p.m. (also playing Friday).
  • Watch the Procession: The 20th annual Procession of the Species takes place on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. This parade of sights and sounds is always a hit with young ones. This year will feature groups dressed as bees, rockfish, and more fantastic animal creations. The route starts at the intersection of Legion and Cherry Streets and ends at Heritage Park. You can watch or even join in the fun (and for added kicks, why not adorn whole family in animal-themed attire?). A tip: Since Procession is a popular event, we recommend getting there early to find the perfect viewing spot. You can also bring folding chairs to sit on if you’d like.
  • arts walk olympia
    A true Olympia tradition, the annual Procession of the Species parade will feature all manner of exciting sights and sounds. Here, Olympia Rhythm and Dance (OlyRAD) performs.
    Photo credit: OlyRAD

    Chalk it Up: One of the most fun parts of Procession for kids is drawing with chalk in the streets throughout downtown. Each year, over 7,000 pieces of chalk are provided to Procession-goers for free. Kids can get creative and leave their mark on Procession.

You can pick up an Arts Walk guide at locations around downtown, or download one online. You can also download the handy Arts Walk mobile app, which offers an easy, interactive way to plan your weekend (and tech-savvy kids can assist with planning). The maps are easy to navigate, and if you need help finding your way, you can stop by the information booth staffed by the Olympia Downtown Association.

A few tips to make your Arts Walk weekend great and maximize the fun? Check the weather for the day and dress accordingly – you might want to bring light jackets and umbrellas if spring showers are in the forecast. Also, you might want to come early to park, and consider parking a few blocks way and walking to the heart of the action (keep street closures and tow-away zones in mind). You can also make it a family adventure by walking, biking or riding the bus there (check the Intercity Transit website for route information).

Arts Walk is sponsored by the Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation Department with generous support from local businesses.

Olympia Spring Arts Walk

Friday, April 25-Saturday, April 26, 2014

Throughout downtown Olympia

Maps and schedules are available here.

 

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