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On Saturday, thousands of people found plenty to learn and do on a warm summer day. Many admired the sand castles – one of the highlights of the event – while children were welcome to explore Puget Sound marine life, play in an oversized sandbox, climb a rock wall or dig for seashells.
Museum executive director Patty Belmonte said this year’s goal is to raise $160,000 to offset the cost of the museum’s free- and reduced-admission program, as well as parenting classes and field trips. The museum spends $250,000 annually on those programs, she said.
Money at Sand in the City is raised from on-site donations, sponsorships, food vendors and fees charged to the groups who participate in the sand castle building. Money also comes in from a Friday night gala event, she said.
Before the gala, guests were invited to visit one of 11 boats moored at the Port Plaza dock, said Olympia Yacht Club Commodore Leslie Thompson. The event, called “Seaside Soiree,” gave visitors a chance to spend time aboard each boat while enjoying food and drinks. Some boats took guests into Budd Inlet and dropped anchor off West Bay, she said.
On Saturday, boat owners including Thompson were relaxing on their boats or on the dock, answering questions and meeting with visitors. The boats will return to the Olympia Yacht Club today, said Thompson, whose 38-foot Bayliner is named “Ecstasea.”
Also offered Saturday were 40-minute tours on a portion of the Port of Olympia marine terminal. More than 400 people took part in the tours, which gave visitors a quick overview of log-export operations.
Tour guide Jim Knight pointed out the peregrine falcons that have made one of the marine terminal cranes their home. Visitors also got to see the three types of logs that are prepared for export to Japan, China and Korea. A demonstration showed how a truck lifts 60,000 pounds of logs.
Next year, Sand in the City will move to its new home at the children’s museum on East Bay.
Rolf Boone: 360-754-5403
rboone@theolympian.com
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