If any one person knows what it takes to pull off Olympia’s Harbor Days, it’s Carol Riley. For the past nine years, she has managed the Labor Day weekend extravaganza. Carol is stepping out of the Harbor Days hot seat and into retirement. She was recently honored by being inducted into the Washington Festivals and Events Association Hall of Fame. She can add this award to the roomful of trophies that acknowledge the heart and energy she brought into all her events.
Carol is a certified live event planner (CLEP) through the WFEA. Her tenure with Harbor Days brought in a new age, each year adding exciting new offerings. “I took over in 2015, and the first event for me was in 2016. The festival was old and tired,” she explains. Above all, she wanted to emphasize the maritime elements.
More Ships for Harbor Days in Olympia
“Fewer tugs were coming every year,” says Carol. It lacked connections with maritime, and there were no activities for kids. The Lady Washington had not been to Olympia for the previous seven years, and the Virginia V was only coming every other year. Carol believed that ships, especially tugboats, were the heart of the festival and worked to increase the number of boats from 12 to 30.
The Lady Washington began coming back and staying in Olympia both before and after the event for more exposure. The Senior Services for South Sound and Panorama teamed up with the Steamer Virginia V to bus people up to the Foss Waterway Seaport (Maritime Museum) in Tacoma and have them cruise down to Olympia. This became so popular, that the ship began coming to the festival every year instead of just on alternate years. Now Exploration Bus Tours busses people from Tacoma to Harbor Days and cruises them back home. Additionally, the cruise has been successful for the Virginia V Foundation.
“Due to expense and frailness of these ships, we have seen fewer and fewer,” Carol laments. Aging, sinkage and lack of funds for repairs have reduced their numbers. “It’s harder to get more tugboats,” she notes. The Pterodactyl, a local schooner, now comes to Harbor Days and offers rides.

More Boating Options Near Thurston County
Carol created space at no cost for the Dragon Boat Club and the Olympia Community Sailing Club and Olympia Area Rowing, as well as the City of Olympia kayak program. Now these groups show their boats, talk about their clubs to generate interest, and even offer some on-the-water experiences. “Many people don’t even know these clubs exits, so Harbor Days gives them a bigger reach,” affirms Carol.
More Sand, More Activities at Harbor Days
Sand in the City ended years ago and evolved to a street party without sand. Carol wanted to bring sand back. She worked with the Hands On Children’s Museum and then with Olympia Sand & Gravel to bring a dump truck load. The result is a 10-foot by 10-foot pile of sand that’s about 6-8 feet tall. “They have to have a tugboat in the sculpture,” Carol explains. Another smaller-scale sand event happens with 5-gallon bucket and lazy-Susans. Sculptors advance in the competition via audience applause. It’s become a popular Sunday event and draws carvers all the way from Portland.
With help from the Hands On Children’s Museum, children can make a boat from recycled materials and race them down tracks. The Puget Sound Estuarium brings marine science to life with microscopes and starfish. Lego Harborville is set up for kids of all sizes and ages to make boats. Will yours float? The day’s flotilla is displayed at the center and during the night they are all taken apart for tomorrow’s crew to build again.
Harbor Days goers get to see a tugboat made during the chainsaw carving event! The Tenino Stone Carvers come to teach people to etch and chip. One of the plinths is on display next to Harbor House.

Olympia Harbor Days Expanded Artists and Vendors
“Food is a favorite part,” exclaims Carol. Now there are more options including cedar smoked salmon done by Chehalis tribes and Lucky Eagle. Music has expanded to a second stage to bring more local and regional artists of varying types. The music is free for everyone. “I worked on an assortment of arts and crafts vendors for higher quality and a wider variety,” she adds.
Carol’s Plans Post Harbor Days
“I work with Eli Sterling on Procession of the Species. He was also an award winner with WFEA. Carol does costume work for Arts Walks and looks forward to having more time to explore her creative side. She is part of Samba Olywa as a dancer and costumer. Carol has spent her working life always living more than a year in advance. Harbor Days requires 14 months of planning. She looks forward to more time being in the present moment.

Mark Your Calendar for Harbor Days August 2025
“If you haven’t been to Harbor Days in a decade, you should go! It feels and looks different and has a different vibe,” says Carol. Bring your friends and invite out-of-town guests. Carol will have the chance to attend the event as a community member, if she chooses. As the torch is passed, she’ll appreciate the time and effort that made it happen but not be the one directing the show.
Thanks, Carol. We wish you the best on your next projects.