Staying close to home this long weekend? Check out Harbor Days, Washington State Fair
Harbor Days takes to the sky
In Olympia, Labor Day weekend means Harbor Days — which in turn means tugboat races, tall ships, boat tours, bands, activities for kids and lots of shopping opportunities. The maritime festival launches at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, and continues Sept. 2 and 3 along the boardwalk from Percival Landing to the Port Plaza in downtown Olympia. New this year, the South Sound Maritime Heritage Association is marking the 50th festival with a 75-drone light show happening at 9:30 p.m. Friday. The nautical-themed light show will be launched from West Bay Park and can be watched from the park as well as from the boardwalk, Port Plaza or Percival Landing Park. Vendors and entertainment will remain open for a Night Market until the drones take to the sky. The tugboat races start at noon Sunday, Sept. 3. The festival is free.
Do the Puyallup
In Washington, Labor Day weekend also means the launch of the Washington State Fair, colloquially known as the Puyallup Fair. It’s said to be one of the world’s biggest fairs, attracting more than a million people each year, so it’s no surprise that it has just about everything you might expect to find at a state fair: rides, animals and food galore, along with live entertainment for all ages. Among this weekend’s highlights are grandstand concerts by Chicago (Friday, Sept. 1; $50-$365) and The Temptations (Monday, Sept. 4; $35-$60) plus a lineup of tribute bands covering decades of pop music: Red, a Taylor Swift tribute, on Friday; Idol X, paying tribute to Billy Idol, on Saturday; George Michael Reborn on Sunday and CCsegeR (Creedence Clearwater Revival and Bob Seger) on Monday. The tribute shows, like most fair entertainment, are free with admission. The fair continues through Sept. 24 at the Washington State Fairgrounds, 110 Ninth Ave. SW, Puyallup. Admission is $12-$17, with kids 5 and younger admitted free; those 18 and younger are admitted free this weekend, Sept. 1-4.
Music al fresco continues
While most of South Sound’s summer outdoor music offerings are but a distant memory, West Central Park is keeping summer tunes going through Saturday, Sept. 9. This Saturday, Sept. 2, the nonprofit community park is hosting psychedelic folkies The Hinges, known for sweet vocals and engaging lyrics. Moonfill will open. The music kicks off at 7 p.m. at the park at 1919 Harrison Ave., Olympia. The Sept. 9 show — the park’s final concert of the season — will feature Extra Measures, playing a mix of rock, funk, ambient and klezmer starting at 7 p.m. Both shows are free.
Speaking of animals at the fair, freelance writer Molly Gilmore suggests checking out or revisiting the “Do the Puyallup” video starring dancing cows, raccoons and other critters. She talks about what’s happening in Olympia and beyond with 95.3 KGY-FM’s Michael Stein from 3 to 4 p.m. Fridays.