Thrifty Thurston Organizes Labor Day Weekend Fun

priest point park
The best of summer-watermelon and a great family picnic spot at Priest Point Park.
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By Kathryn Millhorn

sunset airLabor Day is upon us; time for back to school, putting away swimsuits, and dusting off boxes of cute holiday home décor.  It’s a busy time of year for all ages, but one that celebrates a (hopefully still sunny) seasonal transition.

Food

While I’m no fashion icon, I stick to the ‘no white after Labor Day’ rule only around food.  This time of year, that’s pretty much every day.  Whether it’s stocking up on amazing farm fresh produce courtesy of one of Thurston County’s many local Farmer’s Markets or sampling some of the unique seasonal fall produce that arrives only once a year, the flavors of the season shouldn’t be missed.

labor day weekend olympia
If Labor Day weekend takes you out of town, plan ahead with our awesome camping food article.

If one last outdoor adventure fills your long, holiday weekend, why relegate yourself to hotdogs and powdered eggs?  Gourmet camping food is an easy, fun way to experience nature without roughing it too much.

These days everyone is an urban farmer, raising food to support their family, or hobby chef who lives to share the bounty of the season with co-workers and friends.  Both should try a home canning class.  This way the summer’s bounty shines all year round (and makes amazing gifts even months down the line).

For those of us who host a big family BBQ every long weekend, it’s fun to try something new.  Grilling fruits and veggies caramelizes their natural sweetness and turns the hum-drum into a delicious treat.

And what meal isn’t improved by the addition of ice cream?  Try Olympic Mountain Ice Cream, hand-crafted and sold from Bayview Thriftway, or a visit to Grandpa’s Soda Fountain and Ice Cream Parlor for sweet treats of a more vintage variety.

Fun

harbor days
Families enjoy the Harbor Days festival in downtown Olympia over Labor Day weekend.

With school just around the corner, and the weather miraculously holding its gorgeous summer pattern, it’s time to be outdoors!  Olympia Harbor Days, the amazing showcase of all things nautical, is on August 29 – 31.  This year trains are coming to the festival, with a 100+ foot track for a children’s ride and an authentic, tour-able engine and caboose courtesy of Tacoma Rail.  For a complete list of events, vendors, and weekend specifics, visit the Harbor Days website here.

If you’re overwhelmed with visiting family or rambunctious small children, a tour of Lattin’s Country Cider Mill is always a treat…literally.  We visit several times a month throughout the summer and never leave without sampling cider and a donut or two.  Visiting is free, though the goats will insist on a treat (bags of grain are less than $1).  Their produce stand is overflowing with dinner-worthy ideas too.

Through September, you can also visit the Nature Nurtures Farm and explore their many animal friends.  Class field trips for schools, scouting troops, and all manner of educational groups are available by calling 360-878-7730.

For 21+ fun, consider local visiting a local brewery.  Top Rung Brewing is located in Lacey, Dick’s Brewing Company works out of Centralia, and the Fish Tale Brew Pub in downtown Olympia.

Holiday

olympia labor day weekend
Start planning ahead for Halloween costumes by shopping at local thrift stores.

And brace yourself, September means the weather will be changing and the holiday crashing down.  School supplies battle for shelf space with Halloween costumes at most stores, but it’s never too early for the thrifty soul to start planning.

Halloween costumes can be a pricey one-night enjoyment.  To extend the thrill of the chase, start hunting for deals now at local thrift shops and vintage clothing stores.  It’s not easy to decide on the perfect costume, but wandering the aisles is sure to spark your creativity.

Whether or not you’ve decided what to be, it’s never too early to start planning where to go.  Last year alone, kids of all ages had a tremendous array of choices for trick-or-treating, collecting candy, and playing games.

Not to be left out, local teens have plenty of options too…if you can convince them they thought of it first.  Haunted houses and corn mazes can be found at many local pumpkin patches, ranging from the technically difficult to the terrifyingly horrific.

Autumn is a gorgeous time of year when life keeps us on our toes.  The weather is in transition, the new school year requires—shall we say—seasonal adjustment, and the upcoming holidays mean events need to be planned, often well in advance.  But make time to enjoy all the bounty our region has to offer.  Check the event calendar regularly and you never know what you’ll find to do.

Thrifty Thurston highlights inexpensive family fun in Thurston County.  The weekly series focuses on family-friendly activities throughout our community.  If you have a suggestion for a post, send us a note at submit@thurstontalk.com.  For more events and to learn what’s happening in Olympia and the surrounding area, click here.

 

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