Submitted by Olympia Harbor Days
With less than 60 days to go, final plans are now being made for the 44th Edition of the award winning and free Olympia Harbor Days Tugboat Races and Festival, the South Sounds largest maritime festival at the Olympia waterfront, September 1-3, Labor Day weekend. This year promises to be better than ever adding a bit of sand to the already popular festival and host of the World’s Largest Vintage Tugboat Show and Races sponsored by Chehalis Tribe’s Lucky Eagle Casino. Arts, crafts, commercial, non-profit and food booths will line the docks from Percival Landing to the Port Plaza broken only by buskers, musicians and the occasional juggler.
Squaxin Island Tribe, this year’s proud title sponsor of the annual Olympia Kiwanis Club non-profit event, is preparing to turn the Port of Olympia Plaza (near the Farmers Market) into the Squaxin Salish Seaport featuring the cultural and tribal art of the Squaxin Island Tribe. The Tribe’s Little Creek Casino will offer a traditional Salmon Bake while adding a second festival stage for music and performance featuring tribal drumming and more under the Lookout Tower. Percival Landing continues as home of the Main Music Stage presented by Washington’s Lottery featuring nine area bands and musicians.
Sail on a tall ship! Both the Lady Washington and the Hawaiian Chieftain will be at harbor beginning Wednesday, August 30. On Friday, the historic Mosquito Fleet steamship, the Virginia V, arrives as the festival begins. All three ships provide multiple excursions, including our Weekend Getaway aboard Virginia V cruising to/from Tacoma, charter cruises, battle sails, and Tugboat Race watching throughout the holiday weekend sponsored by Washington Federation of State Employees. Cruise and sailing schedules and ticket prices at the Olympia Harbor Days website. Secure your tickets early. Email info@harbordays.com for information about private charters.
Sand returns to the harbor with local sand-sculpting team Form Finders. Find them at Percival Landing as they work together to create a tugboat carved out of sand. And watch as master sand sculptors compete head to head in 10 minute “Quick Carve” contests, where the audience picks the subject and the winners of each round. Special thanks to Thomas Architecture Studios, Thurston First Bank, and OSG Dozing as sponsors.
Stuff for kids! Heritage Bank is sponsoring two days of kids activities, not just rides, including a Cork Boat Regatta by the Hands On Children’s Museum and marine related activities by the Puget Sound Estuarium.
As always, Olympia Harbor Days promises to be the best way for families and kids of all ages to celebrate the end of the summer season! And it is free! So make your way by land or sea and cruise on down to Olympia Harbor Days! For a complete schedule and all festival details or for more information, please visit www.HarborDays.com. Net proceeds and donations support Kiwanis activities that benefit kids and their families.
