Capital Lakefair 2015 Promises Five Days of Fun

lakefair olympia
Thurston County residents flock to Capital Lake to celebrate Lakefair. Photo credit: Diane Waiste.
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Submitted by Capital Lakefair 

Photo credit: Diane Waiste.
58th Capital Lakefair Fabulous Family Fun set for July 15-19, 2015. Photo credit: Diane Waiste.

The 58th Capital Lakefair will take place July 15-19 at Heritage Park and Downtown Olympia. The event features food, entertainment, parade, carnival, kid’s day, 50+ Seniors Day, arts and craft, and fireworks show. This year’s theme is “Fabulous Family Fun”.

Food is one of the main highlights for Lakefair attendees and a reason they come to the event. Capital Lakefair helps generate more than $200,000 each year for area non-profit organizations who are food vendors at the event. This year’s vendors include: Altrusa (Elephant Ears) Barbs BBQ (Beef Ribs, Hot Links, Coleslaw, Meatballs), Thurston County Democrats (Demoburgers), Olympia Kiwanis (Roast Beef Sandwiches), Northridge Concessions (Root beer Floats, Nachos, Cotton Candy, Ice Cream Bars), Olympia Lions (Hamburgers and Cheeseburgers), Thurston County Republicans (Jumbo Hot Dogs), St. Martins’ Alumni Association (Hamburgers and Curly Fries), STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math) (Crepes), TFS “Gumbo”, Tumwater Rotary (Corn dogs, Hot Dogs, Curly fries, Chili) , Zonta (German Sausage), Salmon Defense (Steamer Clams, Corn and VFW (Strawberry Shortcake, Mud Pie).

The Grand Parade is one of the largest in the South Sound. Robert Selene was chosen to be the 2015 Grand Marshal of the parade for his many years of service to the Capital Lakefair Organization and Capitalarians. Robert has been an active member of the organization since it’s beginning in 1957 and served as president in 1960.

Robert will be joined by longtime family friend Siri Childs. Ms. Childs is the widow of Harvey Childs, who died two years ago and was President of Lakefair in 1996. Robert is available for an interview. The parade will have approximately 100 entries from around the South Sound Region including military groups, youth, car clubs, bands, marching and horse units. The parade begins on Capital Boulevard and 20th Street and ends as Heritage Park.

50+ Seniors Day will take place on Friday, July 17 from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and includes 30+ vendors, games, prizes, giveaways and special entertainment with the music

Photo of Commander Tom Shugart, Commanding Officer of the USS OLYMPIA standing next to a painting of the Cruiser Olympia.
Photo of Commander Tom Shugart, Commanding Officer of
the USS OLYMPIA standing next to a painting of the Cruiser Olympia.

groups: Entertainment Explosion, Off Boulevard and Danny Vernon Illusion of Elvis.

Funtastic Carnival is the official carnival of Lakefair. They provide all rides and games during our festival. They provide a coupon valid the first day of Lakefair, which is good for a discounted rate on both games and rides. Coupons are available at many local businesses and will be available at the Lakefair Information Trailer as well.

Wristband Day will be on July 16 of  and will sell for $35. Wristbands are sold from 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. and allow for unlimited rides on Thursday only. The minimum height for many rides is 36″ or 2 years of age, however this depends on the specific ride. If you are interested in a job with Funtastic, you must contact them directly by phone at 503-761-0989 or email them at contact@funtasticshows.com.

Arts and crafts booths from throughout the Pacific Northwest will feature a variety of hand-made and commercial products and services. Approximately 45 Booths will showcase at Lakefair in 2015.

The Lakefair fireworks show is held on Saturday night.
The Lakefair fireworks show is held on Sunday night.

The Lakefair Car Show has returned again for 2015. The show is held on Friday night of Lakefair week at Marathon Park and along Deshutes Parkway. Dash plaques will be given to the first 250 entrees, and more than 20 awards will be given in a variety of categories. Entry for the show vehicles begins at 4:15 p.m. (no early entry), and the show officially runs from 5:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. The awards ceremony will take place at 9 p.m.

Kid’s Day is a free event for kids of all ages and their families, and takes place on Saturday of Lakefair Week. It is held at Sylvester Park in Downtown Olympia, located at Capitol Way between Legion Way and 7th Avenue.

The Grand Finale Fireworks show is schedule for approximately 10 p.m. on Sunday, July 19 and will be shot from the shores of Capital Lake and have the Capital Building in the backdrop.

This year, the USS Olympia Crew will visit Capital Lakefair. Four crew members from our name sake USS Olympia will attend several Lakefair Festivities. A detail listing of the representatives is available and they will be available for interviews. Preferred interview time in 10:30 a.m. to noon on Thursday, July 16.

The Capital Lakefair Scholarship Program is one of the most prestigious and continuous scholarship awards in the local area. The program was initiated in 1975 by Dee Hooper and has provided more than 260 participants with over $300,000 in scholarship funding. Each member of our Lakefair Royal Court is awarded a $3000 scholarship. The Lakefair Queen receives an additional $2000. The scholarship recipient has five years in which to use their monies. The monies may be used toward any type of higher education – traditional degree, trade school or vocational training program.

The Royal Court partakes in many actives throughout the year and will be at the available during the festival. The court will have a special presentation on Thursday, July 16 at 7 p.m. at the main stage.  The year’s court includes: Queen Madeline Poultridge representing Avanti High School, Princesses: Clarissa Jenkins from North Thurston High School, Julia Holder from Olympia High School, Emily Grahn from River Ridge High School and Olivia Wittenberg from Capital High School.

94.5 ROXY is the host for the Capital Lakefair High School Battle of the Bands. On opening night of Lakefair, bands compete for a first place prize of $500, a second place prize of a $200 gift card, and a third place prize of a $100 gift card. To be eligible, a majority of the band members must be members of the classes of 2015 through 2018. No one over the age of 21 can perform. If the group is a trio, at least two of the members must meet the criteria. If the group is a foursome, three of the members must meet the eligibility requirements.

lakefair run 2013
The Lakefair Run offers distances of a kids 3k, 8k and half-marathon races on July 18.

The 40th Annual Olympia Lakefair Run will feature a half marathon, 8k and 3k. The Run is put on by Road Runners Club of America, with the authorization of Capital Lakefair. Capital Lakefair is not associated with, nor does it participate with, moderate, or control these races in any way, except to allow the use of the Capital Lakefair, Inc. name. For more information visit the Lakefair Run online.

The Volleyball Tournament held in conjunction with and during the Capital Lakefair Festival. Capital Lakefair is not associated with, nor does it participate with, moderate, or control this tournament, except to allow the Capital Lakefair name to be used. Due to severe drought and water restriction at the Capital Campus the Volleyball Tournament will be held at the Regional Athletic Complex in Lacey.

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, July 15 – Public Employee Appreciation Day

11:00 a.m.-2 p.m. Capital Lakefair Court at Olympia Library for Children’s Story Hour

Noon-11 p.m. Carnival, Food Booths, and Arts and Crafts

Entertainment

  • 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Live music
  • 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Jesse Hart
  • 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Dogger
  • 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. – Battle of the Bands

 

Thursday, July 16 – Wristband Day $35 Rides all Day

Noon-11 p.m. –  Carnival, Food Booths and Arts and Crafts

Entertainment

  • 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. – Robot vs. Ghost
  • 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Rain City Rebels
  • 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Prelude to a Pistol
  • 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Frank Sinatra Tribute
  • 7:00 p.m. – 8 p.m. – Capital Lakefair Royal Court Presentation
  • 8:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Ecliptics

 

Friday, July 17Lakefair

Noon – 11:00 pm Carnival, Food Booths, Arts and Crafts

9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. 50’s + at the Main stage

5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Car Show at Marathon Park

Entertainment

  • 10:00 a.m. – 3 p.m. – 50’s +
  • 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Serious Mak
  • 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Calaca Kings
  • 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Motor Car
  • 9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. – The Go 2 Band

 

Saturday, July 18

Noon-11:00 p.m. – Carnival Food Booths, Arts and Crafts

Noon – 4:00 p.m. – Kid’s Day at Sylvester Park

4:30 p.m. Pre-parade

5:00 p.m. Grand Parade

Entertainment

olympia vision clinic
Olympia Vision Clinic doctors and staff volunteer annually at the Lions Club Burger Hut at Lakefair.
  • Noon – 1:00 p.m. – Evergreen Dancers
  • 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Tanglefoot Cloggers
  • 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Mix 96.1 Voice
  • 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Blue Laces
  • 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Grand Parade
  • 7:15 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – Sin Circus
  • 8:15 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Mom’s Rocket
  • 9:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. – HairStorm

 

Sunday, July 19

Noon-Midnight – Carnival, Food Booths, Arts and Crafts

At Dark – Grand Finale Fireworks Show

Entertainment

  • Noon – 1:00 p.m. – Honky Tonk Angels
  • 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Rhythmfire School
  • 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Strike 9
  • 6:00 p.m. – 8 p.m. – Rikk Beatty Band
  • 8:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. – Chance McKinney

 

About Capital Lakefair: In 1957, there was no Capital Lake Park (soon to be Heritage Park). Two industrial firms occupied the corner of 5th and Water streets, its buildings extending out over the water on pilings. To beat the heat and summer boredom, several civic-minded Olympians sponsored a small carnival on the shores of Capital Lake, on West 5th. Local nonprofit service clubs ran food concession booths set up on the south end of Water Street just beyond the industrial firms. Events during the carnival incudes a diving show, a hydroplane race an fireworks display. State Baton Twirling contest were held during the day and teen dances at night and Square Dancers came from all over the Northwest to perform. The budget was less than $500.

In 1959 a parade was added to the annual event. In 1961 Lakefair had its first float that traveled around the state representing the community. In the 1960’s and 1970’s the main attractions were water-oriented events. In 1986 and Arts and Crafts Show was added to the festival and a car show in 1987. In 1988 Kids day was started in Sylvester Park.

Capital Lakefair is coordinated by a group of volunteers called Capitalarians. The Capitalarians have had a long history in the community in support Lakefair and other events.  Capital Lakefair has a part time Executive Director Dennis William and part time office manager Adam Stilz. The Capitalarians and staff work year round to put on the festival and operate with a $250,000 Budget.

 

 

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