By Alyssa Ramsfield
Spring is the start to sunny days and plenty of activities around the South Sound. The Lacey Spring Fun Fair is a great way to celebrate spring, on a budget, with the whole family. This free, family event takes place May 17 – 18 at Saint Martin’s University.
The Lacey Spring Fun Fair is celebrating 27 years of bringing more than 16,000 community members together to enjoy local entertainment. “It started in 1988 when the need for a community festival in Lacey became apparent,” explains event chair, Ruth Weigelt.
At the time, the Lacey Chamber of Commerce sponsored and operated the fair. Saint Martin’s College donated the space. The City of Lacey contributed financially and supplied volunteers along with the Lacey Fire Department. When the Chamber bowed out after the1999 Fun Fair, Lacey Community Events, a non- profit group, was formed to carry on the tradition with the support of the City of Lacey.
The fair is organized entirely by a volunteer committee. It relies on donations and sponsorships to keep running year after year.
Activities on hand this year will please children of all ages. The festival features special exhibits, huge interactive inflatables, a 300’ Zip Line, circus train, pony rides, junk chimes and Wild Kingdom. Highlights for Saturday will be visits from Seattle Seahawks mascot Blitz (11:00 am – 1:00 pm), Reptile Man (Noon), Ronald McDonald (1:00 pm – 1:45 pm) and the Mariner Moose (2:00 pm – 4:00 pm). Highlighting Sunday will be Chicken Rider, along with a 2:00 pm talent show featuring some of the best local talent in town.
Kids will be treated to the annual “Kids World” located inside the pavilion where kids will find 40 booths boasting face painting, games, crafts, and more free of charge! Families will also find entertainment nearby ranging from school bands, martial arts demonstrations, and local dance troops. The assortments of activities are enough to keep an entire family occupied for hours.
Along with the wide variety of activities, there will be plenty of food available too. Vendors from across the area will offer delectable delights including elephant ears, kettle corn, cotton candy, shaved ice, crepes, and cheese curds. Espresso will also be available for parents who will need the energy to keep up with all of the entertainment. Local artisans will be on hand selling arts and crafts as well. You will be able to shop for anyone on your list. There will even be a booth for pets.
On top of the Saint Martin’s pavilion activities, on Saturday, the Grand Parade will travel down the streets of Lacey at 6:00 pm. Participants from across Thurston County will be on hand with their floats, horses, and music to celebrate Spring in Lacey.
Sunday will feature the annual Lacey Spring Fun Fair Car Show. Check out the cool rides and enjoy live music, prize drawings, food booths, and free coffee for Early Birds to the event.
There is so much to do this year at Lacey Spring Fun Fair. Admission is free so take the whole family out for a weekend of enjoyment.
Saturday, May 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday May 18 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saint Martin’s University
5300 Pacific Ave SE
Lacey, WA 98503
*Free Shuttle Service available from the South Sound Mall on Saturday only.
