0 Shares

Sand, Water and Forts are the focus at Summer Splash this month at Olympia’s Hands On Children’s Museum (HOCM). The community has embraced the museum’s transition from the weekend Sand In the City® event to Summer Splash, a summer long festival. This enthusiasm is illustrated by an increase in museum visitation. To date, there have been over 13,000 more museum visitors than in 2015, with 3,000 more guests in July alone.

HOCM prides itself on staying fresh and it was time to bring something new to the community. With the ongoing support of many sponsors including Presenting Sponsor, Washington State Employees Credit Union, and Month Sponsors Lucky Eagle Casino and Olympia Federal Savings, Summer Splash has proven to be a huge success thus far.

summer splash olympia
Pirate shows will take place daily on the outdoor stage. Photo courtesy: Hands On Children’s Museum.

Children’s China kicked off the summer fun. The travelling exhibit opened in June and is on display at the Museum throughout the summer. “Children’s China appeals to children of all ages. The rich content and the depth of the exhibit truly engages even older kids,” explains Senior Development Manager Amy Brockman. The opportunity to write Chinese characters, play traditional Chinese instruments or play in the panda reserve makes this exhibit accessible and enriching to a broad range of ages.

The last weekend of July will feature the sand sculpting of four master carvers around the Pacific Northwest. Each display sculpture will have a theme in line with the Children’s China exhibit. Visitors can watch the carving for three days (July 28-30) within the Museum’s Outdoor Discovery Center. The sand sculpture will stay on display through August 7 so be sure to visit HOCM to see this incredible and unique work of art. On Friday August 5, thanks to the sponsorship of Heritage Bank, Free Friday Night hours are extended from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

What else is coming up as part of Summer Splash?

Every week of Summer Splash is special and unique. Mud Pie Mondays, bunnies on Thursdays, regular garden activities and rotating activities in the Naturalist Cabin make visits special no matter what day you visit HOCM. Wednesday through Saturday there are live performances and special community guests.

summer splash hocm
Building is one of the many hands on activities at the Hands On Children’s Museum during Summer Splash. Photo courtesy: Hands On Children’s Museum.

This week Jeff Evans will be making magic, 10-year old Jack the Juggler will be back, OlyMEGA will be at the Museum with a hydroram and water filtration activity and New York based pop artist Michael Albert will be creating amazing and unique collages. Albert builds collages from discarded items such as cereal boxes and other recycled consumer items in a program he calls the “Modern Pop Art Experience.”

When visiting the Museum in August, Summer Splash activities will be themed to Pirates and Parrots. August 9-13 a 40-foot pirate shop will be at HOCM with three live parrot shows daily, the Crow’s Nest climbing wall will be back August 17 & 18, the ever-popular trike loop will be transformed into a pirate trike loop and the photo booth will have pirate and mermaid themed props for dress-up.

The month is packed with special visitors and performances. Jack and Jill’s Hair Salon will return to HOCM to create mermaid inspired hair for young visitors, US Forest Service will visit with Smokey Bear, and Nisqually Reach Nature Center will be back with their Puget Sound Observation tank to name a few.

summer splash
Build a pirate ship as one of the many fun pirate activities during August at the Hands On Children’s Museum. Photo courtesy: Hands On Children’s Museum.

There will also be a full schedule of live performances including martial arts demonstrations, and dance and music performances. The Crow Drummers, Derik Nelson & Family and Oly Rhythm and Dance are just a few favorites. Visit HOCM’s Summer Splash website for a full performance schedule.

On the final weekend of Summer Splash (August 27–28) all entry fees are Pay What You Can, again thanks to the sponsorship of Heritage Bank. Brockman emphasizes that access on these dates is for all families, regardless of ability to pay. “All of the proceeds from Summer Splash will continue to support the Museum’s Free & Reduced Admission programs; this was always the case with Sand in the City® and we will continue this tradition with Summer Splash,” Brockman says.

To plan your visit to Summer Splash at the Hands On Children’s Museum, visit their website at www.hocm.org/summersplash.

Sponsored

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
0 Shares