This weekend is jam packed with amazing family friendly activities. A parking lot full of trucks, symphonic music, Shakespearean productions, or canoe paddlers – there is something new to experience all weekend long! In true Thrifty Thurston fashion, I am summarizing all of these cool events so that you can make weekend plans.
From Saturday morning through Sunday night, cool activities can keep your family busy and entertained while still keeping the change in your pocketbook. Plus, we highlight the best bargain at the Thurston County Fair.
Enjoy living and playing in Thurston County this weekend.
Touch A Truck – South Sound Center on Saturday, July 28th from 10:00am – 4:00pm
Sponsored by the Junior League of Olympia (JLO), Touch A Truck is an opportunity for families to explore different vehicles. “Junior League of Olympia promotes healthy families. We want to provide a fun, hands-on day with loads of things to do,” states JLO President Krista O’Byrne.
Watch a K-9 demonstration, jump in a tumble truck, explore a fire engine, or inspect the jaws of life. With an opportunity to interact with a wide variety of vehicles including a Huey Helicopter and a junior dragster, every child is sure to be pleased.
Spend the day exploring 35 different trucks, including a bus from Intercity Transit. “We participate in the event so families can board one of our clean buses and meet friendly drivers. We also support the Junior League of Olympia’s fundraising efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect in our community,” says Donna Feliciano of Intercity Transit.
“We are very excited to have a hobby stock race care and US Army HMMWV at Touch A Truck this year,” comments organizer Debbie Hadley. “We hope children walk away with a smile and learn about people that make our community safe.”
Cost – $5 per person
Animal Fire Theatre’s Production of Hamlet – Priest Point Park on Saturday, July 28th and Sunday, July 29th at 7:00 pm
Enjoy a “pay what you can” performance of the 400 year old production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. A manageable two-hour long performance occurs in the gorgeous outdoor setting of Priest Point Park.
“Hamlet is one of the best written pieces of literature in the English language. We strive to be clear in our story telling in order to make our show is a great starting point for anyone who may be unfamiliar with Shakespeare,” says Austen Anderson of Animal Fire Theatre.
Austen also points out that if the show becomes too intense, parents can quickly change gears and head to the park’s playground.
Cost – pay what you can with performances continuing through August 5th
Paddle to Squaxin – all day Sunday, July 29th at Swantown Boat Launch
ThurstonTalk.com staffers will be onsite to capture the momentous event of hundreds of canoes landing in Olympia. A source of pride and connection to culture, participants in the Paddle to Squaxin will be paddling canoes ranging in size from 17 to 36 feet.
Swantown Boat Launch, in downtown Olympia, will serve as the final landing spot for the 2012 Tribal Journey. Paddlers and boats from Washington as well as Alaska, Hawaii, New York, Brazil and New Zealand will be arriving.
For more information, read ThurstonTalk’s complete article about the canoe journey.
Beach Naturalists at Priest Point and Burfoot Parks – Sunday, July 29th from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Throughout the summer, the South Sound Estuary Association places trained volunteers at local beaches. The naturalists, who have more than 12 hours of high quality classroom training are prepared to answer your questions about the beaches.
Learn about different animals that live on local beaches. Ask about sand dollars and why they live in some sections of the beach and not other locations. Gain knowledge about wave action or interesting shells. Whatever your beach-related topic, a naturalist will help your family explore the low tides and the amazing diversity of life on the beach.
Beach naturalists can also educate your family about actions you can take to protect the beaches such as picking up dog waste or the benefits of washing your car at a commercial location.
The group has ramped up considerably in just two years. The beach naturalist program was piloted in 2010. The first group of naturalists numbered 19 volunteers, staffing only Burfoot Park in August. Now the group totals more than 49 volunteers, handling in excess of 4,000 public contacts, and serving four parks during three months.
Beach naturalists, wearing easily identifiable hats and vests, will be strolling at Burfoot Park in Boston Harbor and Priest Point Park in the East Bay neighborhood on Sunday. You may also find a beach naturalist sharing information at the trailhead. Stop by, say hello, and ask your questions.
Through August, beach naturalists will be visiting Burfoot, Priest Point, Tolmie, and Frye Cove parks. You can find the complete schedule here and also retrieve registration information for a free bus ride to transport your family from LOTT’s WET Science Center to a local park.
Cost – free, plus a great day at the beach!
Olympia Symphony Orchestra – lawn in front of the Capitol on Sunday, July 29th at 5:00 pm
Filling the grass outside the Capitol building in downtown Olympia, the Olympia Symphony Orchestra wows crowds with beautiful symphonic music. In a casual setting, families can enjoy a picnic dinner while listening to music created by a full symphony orchestra.
“There is no other place where children can see this many instruments together,” comments Olympia Symphony Orchestra member Kate Inglin. “When children listen to a full symphony, there are no words that tell them how they should be feeling – it’s truly a personal experience.”
“During the concert, children will hear fast and slow rhythms, identify new sounds, and hear major and minor keys,” adds Inglin who strongly encourages families to bring their children to hear the symphony’s performance.
Celebrating 60 years, the Olympia Symphony Orchestra provides the free concert as its gift to the community. The conductor, Huw Edwards, selects the group’s best pieces from the past season. The symphony sincerely appreciates the support from Washington State Employees Credit Union. Read more about the Olympia Symphony Orchestra by clicking here.
Cost – Free
Thurston County Fair – Wednesday, August 1st
While the Thurston County Fair runs from August 1st – 5th, One Buck Wednesday is the best bargain.
According to Rick Storvick, Fair Manager, the Thurston County Fair is a traditional, small county fair. “There is a lot of participation from local 4H and FFA groups. Children are showing their animals and displaying their photography,” comments Storvick.
There is one catch to entering the fairgrounds for $1 – you must bring one can of food for each person entering the Thurston County Fair. “Last year, we brought in over 1 ton of food just on this one day,” says Storvick. All food is donated to the Thurston County Food Bank so your donation contributes directly to our community.
One Buck deals continue past the admission gates. Carnival rides are just $1 all day and look for $1 specials at food vendor stalls as well.
Still looking for more ideas? Check out our full article about the Pacific Northwest Mushroom Festival in Lacey. Our event calendar also contains lots of ideas.
