If it’s mid-July in Olympia, then the annual Capital Lakefair festival is officially here. Grab the family and come down to Heritage Park from July 11-15 to experience a whirlwind of classic rides, games, food, music, and more! What started as a small, humble carnival in 1957 with a budget of $500, has since grown into a $250,000 event that brings an influx of thousands of tourists to the community while simultaneously promoting service and fun.
This family-friendly, all-ages festival is a much anticipated event for locals and visiting neighbors alike. Relax on the Ferris wheel at sunset, or for those looking for more of a thrill, jump on the Extreme Scream tower ride for a stomach churning 20-story drop. Younger ones will be endlessly entertained by the multitude of game and ride options, from the giant slide and crazy fun house, to winning prizes playing skeeball, bottle tosses, and water gun horse races. Let the smell of freshly fried elephant ears and curly fries lead you through the lane of deliciously classic fair food vendors, including local grub from Olympia Host Lions Club Burger Den, Philly sandwiches from the Capital Recovery Center, fresh German sausages from Zonta Club, and more!
Among many things, Lakefair’s mission is to give back to the community by providing scholarship programs as well as a space for local non-profits to promote and fundraise, and to act as a goodwill ambassador to foster and maintain positive business relationships within the South Sound region year-round.
Capital Lakefair Inc. is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in Olympia. Funding for Capital Lakefair is provided solely by contributions from individuals, businesses and sponsors in the community. Entrance to the park is always free, while ride and game tickets can be purchased on the fair grounds. Normal hours of operation are 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily from Wednesday, July 11 through Sunday, July 15.
Upcoming Events
July 13
- 50+ in the Park, 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Heritage Park
- Car Show, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Marathon Park
July 14
- Kid’s Day, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Sylvester Park
- Grand Parade, 4:45 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Capitol Way South
July 15
- Grand Finale Fireworks, 10:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. at Capitol Lake
For a detailed list of events, visit the Lakefair Activities page.
