We all know the benefits of participation. Why sit on the sidelines when you can play for the home team? Getting involved with an event, team, club or festival benefits everyone physically, emotionally and civically. This year, sign up your group or organization to join in the fun at the Lacey Spring Fun Fair by hosting a vendor table, craft booth or activity station.
Festivals are the ultimate bonding experience for visitors and organizers alike. They foster play, which—let’s face it—is the best thing ever. Psychology Today relates that “People as young as babies and as old as super seniors in there nineties have come to play events…Also people from different religious and socio-economic backgrounds all come together. Many strike up conversations while playing and become friends.”
“Lacey Spring Fun Fair says it all,” say Jeannette Sieler from Lacey Parks & Recreation and Ruth Weigelt, organization president. “It’s the Lacey: community businesses, non-profits, organizations, clubs, and families; Spring: the season where Washingtonians come out no matter the weather and celebrate; Fun: yep, it’s all fun and games; Fair: rides, food, and entertainment that brings everyone together!”
This year’s festivities take place from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 18 and 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 19. The Fair is hosted by Saint Martin’s University and takes place in the Norman Worthington Conference Center, Hal and Inge Marcus Pavilion, and surrounding grounds.
With more than 16,000 attendees, the Fair is a perfect way to advertise your group or sell handmade wares. “We are still accepting vendors, both artisan and commercial, and will be promoting them through our Facebook page as we get closer to the event,” says Sieler. “Interested vendors can find the applications online, and there is always a great variety of items to shop for at the Fair.”
Outside of a booth, consider joining the team at Kids World. “Kids World, inside the Pavilion, is filled with nonprofit organizations, community groups, and local businesses offering free games, crafts and activities,” Sieler explains. “We are still accepting applications for groups that would like to participate. Some of the favorites returning are the City of Lacey Water Resources dog poop toss and the South Sound Reading Foundation’s free book giveaway. Also outside kids can climb in a fire truck or a police car and check out some big rigs from the City of Lacey Public Works Department.”
The Spring Fun Fair welcomes everyone. This year they’ll be adding a food drive to help local families. “We are excited to add the food drive,” says Sieler. “The Fun Fair is truly a community event and offering a tangible way that people can help their neighbors is such a positive thing! The Fun Fair is free to attend so the donation doesn’t offer a discount on entry, the reward is helping others, which is a great thing to teach children.”
The food drive is in conjunction with the North Thurston Public Schools Compassionate Community project. Teachers, staff, students, and families are documenting acts of compassion with a goal of 100,000 total, community-wide. To date they’ve recorded more than 90,000 individual acts in and around the region.
Also new this year is a charity portion of the annual Lip Sync Battle. The fun takes place on Sunday, May 19, at 2:00 p.m. on the main stage. There will be cash prizes for community members and a chance to win $500 for the nonprofit or charity of your choice, courtesy of TwinStar Credit Union. The donation contest is open to service clubs, nonprofits, and other groups who take the stage.
The Fair is a labor of love from a dedicated team of volunteers. Some, like Ruth Weigelt, food coordinator Mike Pastore, and special attractions guru Darrol Steiner, have been with the team for all 32 years.
Unsure how your business would benefit? Research shows that “By definition, festivals attract visitors. And visitors spend money, which boosts the local economy both on and off the festival site…Festivals also provide free marketing and advertising for local businesses as visitors talk about their fun experiences when they go back home. If visitors post comments and photos about their experiences on Facebook or other social media, so much the better. The economic benefits of successful festivals ripple throughout a local economy–affecting tourism and non-tourism- related businesses alike.”
Don’t miss out on two days of community engagement, fun and goodwill. Clear your calendar now for a weekend full of fun. Sign up to be a volunteer! They need volunteers for all kinds of things and it’s a great way for high school students to get int their community service hours. Have questions about becoming a vendor, sponsor or hosting an activity? Email info@LaceySpringFunFair.com or call 360-481-4393.
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