Fun things to do in Thurston County this week

For all you barbecue lovers, this weekend is the chance to get your fix at the Lacey South Sound Chamber’s South Sound BBQ Festival. Featuring a professional cookoff sanctioned by the Pacific Northwest BBQ Association, the festival will show you how the pros do it and give you a chance to try a taste. Also check out other food and arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment, kids activities, an eating contest and more from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at Huntamer Park, 618 Woodland Square Loop SE, Lacey.

It’s time for Capitol Lakefair and all its fun starting Wednesday on the northeast shore of Capitol Lake in Olympia. This year’s festival theme is “Enchanted Garden” and as always it’s chock full of activities and events, including a basketball tournament, battle of the bands, a car show, live entertainment, the Funtastic carnival, the grand parade, and a fireworks show. Hours are noon-11 p.m. Wednesday through July 15. To get a run down of events, go to lakefair.org.

Take advantage of the warmer, drier weather and head to Sylvester Park for the annual Music In The Park outdoor concert series, which kicks off at 7 p.m. Wednesday with Retro Jade playing funk, soul and blues. The series continues every Wednesday through Aug. 22, plus two Friday night concerts at the Port Plaza. The line up includes Hook Me Up on July 18; Micaiah Sawyer on July 25; Joe Blue & The Roof Shakers on Aug. 1; Michelle Taylor Band on Aug. 8; Blind Facsimile Band on Aug. 15 and En Canto on Aug. 22. The park is at 615 Washington St. SE. Admission is free. Don’t forget to bring your blankets and lawn chairs.

If you love the Love Our Local Fest, then you’ll want to come out Friday for its fundraiser at Rhythm & Rye, 311 Capitol Way N., Olympia. Luna Melt will be throwing down original funk music and The Lumen will be bringing renditions of the Grateful Dead and Phish. Come out for the 9 p.m. show where the bands are donating their time and talent. To learn more, go to tinyurl.com/Love-Our-Local-Fest

Marking 50 years since its release, the landmark animation film “Yellow Submarine” is a colorful musical spectacle showcasing the music and talent of The Beatles. To commemorate the film’s history and classic tale, The Capitol Theater is planning three screenings: 5 p.m. Sunday, 6:30 p.m. July 14 and 7:30 p.m. July 15. Tickets are $9, $6 for Olympia Film Society members and are available online or at the box office at 206 Fifth Ave. SE. For more information, go to olympiafilmsociety.org

Meet authors Anna Katz and Shane Robinson when they come to Browers Bookshop, 107 Capitol Way N, Olympia, to talk about their new book, “Swimming Holes of Washington: Perfect Places to Play.” The guidebook includes both remote locations and easy plunges. The event runs 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday. To learn more about the authors and book, go to browsersolympia.com

Winner of Seattle’s Sound Off 2018 competition, singer-songwriter Micaiah Sawyer of Olympia has become known for her honest folk music. She has recently released her debut album “Rest” and will be touring in support of it with a stop at Oly Underground, 109 Legion Way SW, Olympia. Take a break from enjoying Lakefair when she takes the stage at 7 p.m. Thursday. To learn more, go to tinyurl.com/Micaiah-Sawyer

Featuring the magic of illusion, singers, dancers and aerial artists, “The Magical Mystery Midsummer Musical’ celebrates Bruce Whitney’s long legacy directing and writing music for Harlequin Productions. The musical revue continues through July 21 with showtimes of 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. July 8 and 15 at the State Theater, 202 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia. Tickets are $25-$42. For more information, go to harlequinproductions.org

This story was originally published July 6, 2018 at 6:38 AM.