The Port of Olympia has always been a place to spot boats of all shapes and sizes. Some of these boats are for leisure while others are on the clock. One of the hardest working boats in the business has to be the tugboat. While small in size, they are mighty in strength. Tugboats are a part of our history in Thurston County, and one annual event celebrates the past, present and future of our port: Olympia Harbor Days.
“Labor Day weekend has been part of a boating tradition in our area long before Harbor Days was started,” explains executive director, Carol Riley. “In the 1970s, the port was very active with timber, clams and dirt fill. Labor Day weekend was the only time the tugboats were not working. So, the captains would gather all their friends and have a little party. They would raft all the boats together for this big floating party. In 1974 for the first Harbor Days, we wanted to keep that Labor Day weekend tradition and bring that same party vibe.”
The Kiwanis Club of Olympia continues to be the main organizing group and sponsor of the event, but this year the Squaxin Island Tribe has taken on a big role of support. “Squaxin is now the title event sponsor,” says Riley. “It really made sense for us to partner with the tribe as they are the people of the water. They were the original harbor masters. It’s such a good fit to bring our culturally diverse community together.”
Along with their title sponsorship, the Squaxin Island Tribe is bringing pieces of their culture to share with the community. “This year, the tribe will occupy much of the Port Plaza, turning it into the Squaxin Island Salish Seaport Port Plaza. They will have traditional arts and crafts, music and food. Salmon and fry bread will be ready to eat, and the first beer garden we’ve had at Harbor Days will be located there. All of the proceeds at the plaza will go to the Squaxin Island Tribe Museum Library and Research Center,” Riley explains.
Music is a big part of the Harbor Days party as well. “Music is going all the time during Harbor Days. Any good party has to have great music,” Riley says. This year’s lineup includes blues bands, a fiddle trio, barbershop quartet and rock bands galore. And it is not just music on the stage; there will also be aerial performances and dancing! The back-to-back entertainment will keep the festivities going all weekend long.
Also, a wide variety of vendors along Percival Landing selling arts and crafts, food, and hosting activities will be available to the public. “We’ll have remote control tugboats, local vendors and artisans. We will also have sand sculptures and sand sculpture contests. Kiwanis hot dogs and an expansive food court are among the highlights for attendees. The festival is free, but money made by Kiwanis booths and in the raffle goes right back into our community through the investment of our kids through scholarships,” Riley explains.
There will be plenty to do for the entire family. “For the kids Heritage Bank will host activities both Saturday and Sunday. The Hands On Children’s Museum will also be offering a cork boat regatta where kids can make their own boats and race them against each other. Finally, the Puget Sound Estuarium will provide marine life activities and face-painting. Timberland Regional Library will be entertaining with a story time, and the South Sound Reading Foundation will be giving out free books,” Riley suggests. Add in the giant slide and games, there will be so much for kids to enjoy.
While there will be a plethora of entertainment and activities, the boats are the main attraction. “Boats from all over the region will be making their way down to Harbor Days. We will have The Virginia V from the Mosquito Fleet. We will also have the tall ships Hawaiian Chieftain and the famous Lady Washington. And as always, we will have more than 20 tugboats in the port with tours available the week leading up to Harbor Days. Of course, on Sunday the tugboat races will be the star of the show. There won’t be a live broadcast this year but the best experience is to watch the procession of the tugs out into the bay from the shoreline or to watch the races from a boat,” Riley explains. The races themselves will occur near Butler Cove.
Whether it is your first time attending or participating in Olympia Harbor Days has been an annual tradition in your family, this community event is a must-see. “If you’ve never been, you will fall in love with the tugboats,” says Riley. “When you see them all in the harbor, different shapes, sizes and color, think about the history and impact they’ve had on our community. The history is a real draw for me. It’s amazing to see. It’s really a beautiful scene.”
To find a complete schedule of the 2017 Harbor Days, click here. The free event is located along the Olympia waterfront September 1 – 3.
