This was the first week out of school for local families and in our neighborhood, the kids reveled in the sunshine and freedom that are the hallmarks of summer vacation. Along with the break from school comes the longest day of the year. This weekend’s summer solstice marks the official start to summer. And with that long-awaited season we also see our ThurstonTalk calendar filling fast with festivals, outdoor concerts, parades and holidays. Not to mention backyard BBQs, summer camps, and days on the water. And don’t forget to honor dad this weekend. Ours is getting a sweet new pressure washer. Shhh….don’t tell! This weekend starts summer off with a bang and is packed with things to do.
- Catch the opening weekend of Harlequin Productions Sixties Chicks Too. Details here.
- Watch Governor Jay Inslee raise a rainbow flag for Pride Month at the Capitol on Friday at 2:30 p.m. Details here.
- Join the Nisqually Land Trust for a summer nature walk along the Nisqually River Saturday at 10:00 a.m.
- Pick your favorite chowder at the Port of Olympia’s Boatswap and Chowder Challenge at Swantown Marina on Saturday. Details here.
- Take your dad (and the whole family) to LBA Park’s stewardship work party starting the weekend with community service.
- Cheer local golfer Michael Putnam at the U.S. Open. Read more about Putnam here.
- Splash at Tolmie State Park or Woodard Bay this weekend.
- Check something off our new 2015 list of 25 Free Things to do with your kids this summer.
- Find something fresh at the Tenino or Olympia Farmers’ Markets, both open today. Details on 6 area markets here.
- Celebrate the 25th Capital City Pride. Events Saturday and Sunday in Heritage Park.
- Grab a good spot for Sunday’s Pride Parade starting at noon at the State Capitol.
- Watch a free showing of Paddington! at The Capitol Theater in downtown Olympia, sponsored by the Olympia Film Society.
- Enjoy delicious Quinault sockeye salmon and toe-tapping blues music at Quinault Beach Resort and Casino’s Cookin’ the Blues Festival.
- Satisfy your sweet tooth at the 79th Annual Strawberry Festival from noon to 6:00 p.m. at the South Bay Grange. Full details here.
- Dance your way to a healthier you at Zumba in the Park at the East Bay Public Plaza. Details here.
- Keep the kids safe this summer with tips from ThurstonTalk found here.
- Treat Dad to breakfast out. Some Thurston County favorites are found here.
- Drop the kids off at Alley Oop Gymnastics Center’s “Date Night” on Saturday and enjoy kid free time with your sweetie. Details here.
- Cheer the local Rainy City Roller Dolls at their Saturday night charity bout. Click here to learn more.
- Mark your calendar with this summer’s $1 kids movies. Details here.
- Celebrate the solstice with a free community yoga event inside the Capitol Rotunda. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Sunday.
- Find a treasure at the Thurston County Fairgrounds. The Gold and Treasure Hunting show runs Saturday and Sunday.
- Spend quality time with Dad for Father’s Day (and celebrate the solstice) on one of these area hikes.
- Visit an open house event this weekend. Click here to see the list of Van Dorm Realty’s open houses.
Submit an event for our calendar here.
ThurstonTalk aims to be your source for positive information and events happening in Olympia. 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.