What’s Happening for Aug. 29
Wednesday through Sept. 8
Lady Washington in Budd Inlet: The tall ship that is the official ship of Washington state will be moored at the Port Plaza dock, 704 Columbia St. NW, Olympia. It will offer two- and three-hour evening sails and adventure sails, and vessel tours at the dock are offered for a $5 suggested donation. A ticket is required for all passengers, including babies. Children 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Refreshments are not provided, but you are welcome to bring your own (no glass please). Accessibility is addressed on a case-by-case basis, so please talk to us ahead of time to be sure we can accommodate your needs. For hours and schedule, go to https://www.historicalseaport.org/public-tours-sails/sailing-schedule/olympia-washington/. The Hawaiian Chieftain, the Lady Washington’s sister ship, will not make the trip to Olympia this time.
Thursday
Timberland Regional Library Community Check-in in Lacey: Timberland Regional Library officials will be at the Lacey library, 500 College St. SE, from 6-7 p.m. to gather community feedback on their draft 2020-2022 Strategic Plan. More information: Call 360-704-4636 or TRL.org
Friday
Walking tour of Olympia’s waterfront development: The Olympia Downtown Alliance’s August Downtown Academy will be a walking tour from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and it is open to the public. The walk will start at Percival Plaza at the northwest corner of Fourth Avenue and Water Street, and will proceed to Views on 5th, the Laurana, and 500 Columbia.
Friday through Sept. 1
Olympia Harbor Days: The annual maritime festival opens Friday and run through Sunday along the Olympia waterfront. Now in its 46th year, the free community event produced by the Olympia Kiwanis Club is the showcase of the World’s Largest Vintage Tugboat Show and Races. Enjoy tall ships, steamships, and other historic vessels, hundreds of arts & crafts booths, a food galley, harbor boat tours, kids activities including a Lego Harbor Build, live entertainment, sand carving and cultural presentations by the Squaxin Island Tribe. Information: http://www.HarborDays.com or on Facebook at Olympia Harbor Days.
Saturday
Ballroom Dance fundraiser: The public is invited to the Olympia Eagles Grand Ballroom from 8 to 10:30 p.m. for a dance with live music from the Black Satin quintet. Admission is $12 per person and all ages and skill levels are welcome. The Olympia Eagles is at 805 Fourth Ave. E. The event is a fundraiser for new windows in the Olympia Eagles Ballroom.
Tour the Nisqually Tribal Community Garden: From 10 a.m. to noon, you can learn about the Nisqually Tribe’s mission of tribal food sovereignty and commitment to strengthening community, family, and individual health. The produce grown in the garden is distributed to the Tribe’s Elder Center and a weekly garden stand at its community center. Staff will share their knowledge about the traditional uses of native foods and plant medicines and lead a tour of their five acres of herbs, vegetables, berries, and fruit trees. After the tour, the group will join a garden work party. To register and get directions, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nisqually-indian-tribe-community-garden-tour-registration-62544462170
Potluck & Green Grape Tomato Tasting: Slow Food Greater Olympia is hosting this event from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Ark of Taste Garden at Fertile Ground, 311 Ninth Ave. SE, Olympia. The free event is open to all. The tomato is one of the foods the group is growing in preparation for submitting it to the Ark of Taste, Slow Food’s international registry of endangered foods. Bring your own dishes and glassware and a dish to share, as well as lawn chairs if you have them. The event will happen rain or shine.
Saturday & Sunday
Battle Northwest Regional Flag Football Tournament: Flag football teams from all over the Northwest and as far away as Hawaii will clash Saturday and Sunday at the Regional Athletic Complex near Lacey for the right to compete at the Flag Football World Championships next year in Orlando, Fla. Teams do not have to qualify prior to this event and the local community can participate by entering a team. The Battle Northwest Regional Tournament has divisions for all ages and skill levels including men, women, co-ed and youth. Battle Northwest has formats for five- and eight-person teams with both contact and non-contact options. Information: FFWCT.com and the deadline to register is 4 p.m. Aug. 26. Prizes include cash, trophies and medals.
Wednesday
Care Connection recruitment event and Dementia 101: Care Connection, a program of Senior Services for South Sound, will host a Recruitment Event & Dementia 101 workshop from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Olympia Senior Center, 222 Columbia St. NW. Care Connection is an initiative of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services and is funded through state and federal grants. If you have a background in caregiving and are interested in being your own boss as an independent care provider, then this event is for you. Support specialist Cheri Knighton will present the basics of dementia and strategies for caregiving. RSVP to 360-586-4491 or care@southsoundseniors.org.
Want to submit a community event for inclusion in What’s Happening? Send it 10 days or more in advance, written in the format you see above, to news@theolympian.com. Pictures are appreciated.