Ready for Olympia Lakefair? 10 things to know about the South Sound festival this weekend

There is more to Olympia’s Capital Lakefair than meets the eye, and 2022 is the year to experience the multi-day festival that runs through the weekend and into the late night on Sunday.

The weekend weather forecast for Olympia shows ideal weather for Lakefair’s numerous outdoor events, which include non-profit food booths, a volleyball tournament, a fireworks show, a parade and more. The National Weather Service is predicting highs in the mid-70s with partly cloudy skies Saturday and Sunday. Lows will be in the 50s in the late evenings.

Here are answers to a few frequently asked questions about this weekend’s festivities.

Will there be a Lakefair parade this year?

Yes! The Lakefair Grand Parade begins with some pre-parade warmups around 4:45 p.m. in Stevens Field, located at 300 24th Ave. SE, south of Lincoln Elementary School. The parade begins at 5 p.m. from Capitol Way and 20th Avenue Southeast, and heads north to downtown Olympia. The route turns at Fifth Avenue and ends near the bridge next to Capitol Lake.

Can I still register for the Lakefair volleyball tournament?

Yes! Registration for this year’s Lakefair volleyball doubles tournament will open at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 16. Play begins at 9 a.m. This year’s tournament will take place at the Regional Athletic Complex (RAC) at 8345 Steilacoom Road SE near Lacey.

How can I watch the Lakefair fireworks?

The Lakefair fireworks begin at 10:15 p.m. on Sunday, July 17, and are shot over Capitol Lake. They can be seen from multiple places but the best viewing areas are the grassy knolls on the West Capitol Campus (bring blankets or chairs!), or next to the lake.

You can also see the fireworks from the carnival grounds or from a ride, as the rides will continue running until midnight on Sunday.

Can I bring my gun?

The state restricts the open carry of weapons on the Capitol Campus grounds, where numerous activities will take place during Lakefair. That means no firearms, slingshots, explosives, metal knuckles, knives and other weapons.

Is there an online schedule of Lakefair events?

Each section of Lakefair events can be seen online here, as are more detailed descriptions of festival events.

How much does Lakefair cost?

There is no admission fee to Lakefair, so you can watch live entertainment, see the parade and view the fireworks for free. But rides, food and novelties cost money.

This year, the Lakefair carnival rides will be tickets only, no wristbands, and tickets must be purchased on-site. The carnival runs from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and from noon to midnight on Sunday. There is a $2 fee for card purchases. Price points for tickets — which can be used for carnival rides and games — are as follows:

▪ 34 tickets: $20 (cash) or $21 (card)

▪ 68 tickets: $40 (cash) or $41 (card)

▪ 120 tickets: $60 (cash) or $62 (card)

▪ 250 tickets: $115 (cash) or $117 (card)

How do I sign up for the Lakefair half-marathon and other races?

This year’s Lakefair races will be held on Saturday, July 16 and will include a half-marathon, a 3K, an 8K and a kids race. Registration is still open, and details including fees can be found online. Start times are staggered, with the half-marathon starting first at 7 a.m.

All races start and finish near the intersection of Sylvester Street Northwest and Fifth Avenue Southwest in downtown Olympia.

When and where is the live music at Lakefair?

The main stage at Lakefair is free to all and will feature about two dozen performances throughout the weekend, including Friday night headliner Steven Unger from Metal Church, who will be performing with Alive 85.

Where can I park?

For the Lakefair parade, there is limited parking in the South Capitol neighborhood where it begins. Capitol campus will also have limited parking, but there are typically some free parking options at the edge of Capitol Campus. Some downtown parking is also available and meter-free on the weekends and after 5 p.m. Friday.

If you park near Capitol Way, you can take a local Intercity Transit bus or shuttle downtown and back. All rides are free. You can also use their trip planner to find routes or call 360-786-1881 for help.

What other events are happening in Olympia this weekend?

A few other events are happening around Olympia while Lakefair is in town, including the Capitol Lake Pub Crawl, which begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 17 and features several bars and drink specials. Tickets are available online and range in price from $25-$45.

There also will be free, live Music in the Park at Sylvester Park in downtown Olympia starting at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 17, featuring Wrng Haus.

This story was originally published July 15, 2022 at 11:04 AM.