Looking to add some fun to summer? LoveOly SummerFest will return to downtown in August

The Olympia Downtown Alliance will host its second LoveOly SummerFest every Saturday in August to bring people together downtown.

The event, which was created last year to bring the community together after the COVID-19 pandemic, will provide live music, activities for children and art installations from 1-7 p.m. each Saturday.

Downtown Projects Manager Desiree Freeland said putting together the event was made easier by the number of local organizations partnering with the Olympia Downtown Alliance. She said the Olympia Film Society helped produce the acts for the live entertainment, and the Hands On Children’s Museum will provide the children’s activities.

The goal is to offer events that appeal to a wide range of people in a safe environment, Freeland said.

“That speaks to the culture downtown when we talk about events,” she said. “We work hard to produce something that speaks to the community as a whole and touches everyone that comes down on some level.”

The concerts will be held right outside the Capitol Theater, and this year’s headline acts include the 1980s rock band Supersuckers, New Orlean’s Bon Bon Vivant, dance punk artist J. Graves and rock band Girl Trouble. Jugglers, contortionists and street musicians also will perform.

The Bridge Music Project will have dance and beat-making competitions and the Olympia Symphony Orchestra will feature professional musicians.

Interactive art will be provided by local artist Dave Sederberg, who has brought together a group of local artists to install the art for the event.

Activities from the Hands On Children’s Museum include ping-pong, bean bag toss, a jumbo chess set, and sidewalk chalk.

There will also be a Biergarten that will showcase the creations of 3 Magnets Brewing Co., Well 80 Brewhouse and Whitewood Cider Co.

Freeland said the event was well-received last year during its debut and she hopes that the community will respond positively again in August.

“I am super excited to see it all come together and be a part of it,” Freeland said. “There is none of it that doesn’t bring joy in some way. I am excited to see first hand how the community responds.”