What’s Happening for July 27

Friday

Bingo Karaoke at the Pavilion: The Mason County Senior Activity Association is hosting its monthly Bingo Karaoke party from 7-10 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.). The July theme is Beach Party so come in costume and enjoy Bingo, karaoke sing-along, 50/50 bingo games and prizes. Cash bar and food will be available for purchase. Cost is $10 per person for eight games of Bingo with $30 payouts. Must be 21 and older. The Pavilion is at 190 W. Sentry Drive in Shelton.

Friday through Sunday

UFO Festival 2018 and Cosmic Symposium: The event has two parts, both located on Prairie Park Lane Southeast in Yelm. The festival includes vendors, a food court and beer garden, live music and entertainment, a maze, kids inflatables (purchased bracelet required for admission) and hot air balloon rides on Saturday evening (pre-purchase tickets). The Symposium will feature a series of UFO experts speaking about their knowledge; a weekend pass for admission to all lectures is $200, or pay $25 per lecture. Information: https://www.thetriadartstheater.com/yelmufofest

Saturday

Thurston County Special Olympics: Cheer on the Thurston County Special Olympics softball teams at the Southwest Region Softball Tournament from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at both LBA and Yauger parks. Expect to see more than 500 Special Olympics athletes competing for a spot at the State Games. Want to help? Contact Mark Barker at bballdad11@ comcast.net

Community Shred & Share: WSECU is holding its annual shredding event in which anyone can shred as much as three file-size boxes of personal documents from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at any branch of the Washington State Employee Credit Union. For the sharing part, the Olympia branch at 330 Union Ave. SE will be collecting household cleaning and personal hygiene items for the YWCA’s Other Bank. Information: https://wsecu.org/community/out-and-about/community-shred-and-share.

Cops, Cars ‘N’ Kids: For the fourth year, the Lacey Police Department will host this free community car show from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the police department, 420 College St. SE, Lacey. Dash plaques will be handed out to the first 50 cars, and People’s Choice and Cops’ Choice awards will be given. Information: 360-459-8670 or roadstr92@yahoo.com.

Garden for Biodiversity: Slow Food Greater Olympia will host a work party at two downtown gardens, Fertile Ground at 311 Ninth Ave. SE and the Olympia Timberland Regional Library at 313 Eighth Ave. SE, to prune and weed. It’s a hands-on way to save heritage plants in our community.

IWW Summer Labor Concert: The Olympia branch of the International Workers of the World will host a 6 p.m. concert at downtown Olympia’s Sylvester Park featuring David Rovics, Corey Andrew Iris, and Overhill Ln. There also will be workers from Seattle who have recently organized their shop to talk about their ongoing struggle. A $10 donation is appreciated but none will be turned away. Proceeds will go toward the legal defense of workers and others arrested in defense of the environment. Information: https://olympiaiww.com/summer-labor-concert/

Sunday

Olympia Symphony Orchestra’s Concert at the Capitol: The annual free outdoor concert will be at 6 p.m. on the east lawn of the Capitol Campus. The program will include highlights from the symphony’s 65th season, including selections from “Fiddler on the Roof” and “West Side Story,” Sousa marches, and other classical, popular and patriotic favorites. Bring a blanket, lawn chairs, and picnic food. Participate in a raffle to win symphony concert tickets and baskets; purchase a "Season 66" T-shirt that matches the "uniform" of the musicians. The symphony also will collect cash donations to benefit Homeless Backpacks, a local non-profit that provides food and personal items for school children experiencing homelessness.

Zandell Family Reunion Picnic: Descendants of Thurston County homesteading Zandell family have held reunions for almost 100 years. They will gather again at 11 a.m. at Priest Point Park’s Kitchen #2, 2222 East Bay Drive NE, Olympia. Information: 360-665-2868

Wednesday

Thurston County Fair: The Thurston County Fair kicks off at 10 a.m. at the fairgrounds in Lacey. Regular admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $5 for youth ages 6-14 and free for children age 5 and under -- but on Wednesday, admission for all ages is $1 with a non-perishable donation to the Thurston County Food Bank. Thursday is “Kid’s Day,” and admission for children ages 14 and younger is $2, and Friday is “Military Appreciation Day,” with admission only $2 for active and retired military with ID. Admission tickets, season passes and fair parking can be purchased online this year at https://tickets.thurstoncountyfair.org/tickets. For more information, call 360-786-5453 or go to http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/fair/index.htm.

Melody Makers -- Drum City on Parade: Everyone is invited to join Display Your Drum participants at 4 p.m. in parading from the Lacey Timberland Library, 500 College St. SE, to Lacey City Hall and back. The free program will start with a short drum-themed storytime in the library meeting room, and then process to City Hall. Feel free to dress up. This event is part of the Summer Library Program.

Thursday

GRuB's Summer Carnival: Join GRuB for an evening of summer fun on the GRuB farm at 2016 Elliott Ave. NW, Olympia. The event includes carnival games, bubble booth, raffle, face painting, balloon twisting, magic show, farm tours, food vendors and a dunk tank. Suggested admission donation is $10 per family, but no one will be turned away due to lack of funds. Parking at GRuB is limited, so please walk, bike, carpool, or hop on bus 41. With the exception of licensed service animals, this event is not pet friendly.

Shelton Skookum Rotary Music in the Park: The Lady Drinks Whiskey will perform at this free outdoor concert from 7-8:30 p.m. at Kneeland Park, 215 Turner Ave., Shelton.