What’s happening this week around Thurston County

Sunday, Aug. 28

Garlic Fest 2022: This event offers all manner of garlicky goodness, as well as other food, music, and arts and crafts. Admission is $5 for one day at the gate; kids 5 and younger get in free. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds, 1909 S. Gold St., Centralia.

Bluegrass Festival: We Love Rainier WA is hosting the 28th annual Bluegrass Festival at Wilkowski Park in the city of Rainier. Activities include breakfast from 7-10 a.m. and a gospel jam at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Food vendors will sell burgers, hot dogs and strawberry shortcake. Admission is free.

Tumwater Farmers Market: The Tumwater Farmers Market will wrap up its season with its normal hours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Peter G. Schmidt Elementary School, 237 Dennis St. SE. Customers will find local fruit and vegetables, baked goods, artisanal maple syrup, spices, kombucha, plants, flowers, art and jewelry, as well as food trucks and live music.

Sunflower Festival: Head out to the Rutledge Corn Maze where you can see 4 acres covered in 46 different varieties of sunflowers — plus take part in fun family activities. The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Tickets, which include a wagon ride to the flowers, are $16 for adults online in advance or $25 at the gate; $10 for kids ages 5 to 11 in advance or $15 at the gate; children 4 and younger get in free. The Rutledge farm is at 302 93rd Ave. SE.

Downtown Bird Walk: Interested in learning about how birds have adapted to urban environments? Bring your binoculars and join the Puget Sound Estuarium for a bird walk from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday. The walk takes you through Heritage Park to listen for some killdeer, followed by a walk along Capitol Lake to look for mallards and buffleheads. The boardwalk and Percival Landing are also on the list for viewing areas before heading back. No birding experience necessary, but guests are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes. Admission is $15 for adults, kids under 12 are free.

Monday, Aug. 29

Turkish artist solo exhibition: Chicago-based Turkish artist Hale Ekinci will showcase her work in “Compound Subjects,” a solo exhibition at the Leonor R. Fuller Gallery at South Puget Sound Community College from Aug. 29 to Sept. 23. “Compound Subjects” is comprised of embroidered textile paintings and fiber sculptures. Collaging together fiber techniques, found textiles, and images from family archives, the exhibition explores phases of acculturation, immigrant identity, and ideas about gendered labor. Ekinci’s decorative fringes are influenced by the Middle Eastern tradition of oya (lace edging on a headdress) and its use of symbolic patterns that serve as a secret language between women to express personal sentiments. The closing reception and artist talk will be 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23. More information is available on the college’s Leonor R. Fuller Gallery page.

Wednesday, Aug. 31

Pollination Celebration: As part of its Harvest Soirée fundraiser, Garden-Raised Bounty, the nonprofit youth-led farm in Olympia, is opening its doors to the public for games, farm activities, a raffle and more. The free event starts at 4:30 p.m. at GRuB, located at 2016 Elliott Ave. NW. Donations go directly to the nonprofit’s programs.

Inclusive Pop-Up Library with Timberland Regional Library: Organizers aim to help people of all ages learn how to access local libraries and their resources. The event will occur at Sensory Tool House, LLC, 5831 Lacey Blvd. SE, Suite J, Lacey from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 2

Harbor Days: The Olympia Harbor Days Festival, a free three-day event offered at Percival Landing on Labor Day weekend since 1974, will showcase vintage tugboats, tall ships, steamships, and other historic vessels. On land, festival attendees can find an assortment of food, live music and artisans, plus nautical and marine-themed attractions and hands-on activities. On the water, maritime fans can take tours of historic tugboats and vessels and cruises on Budd Bay, and watch vintage tugboat races that take place at noon Sunday in Budd Inlet. Admission is free; cruises and food are for purchase. Hours are 5-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Observation Hive: Join the Olympia Beekeepers Association to check out the observation bee hive from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Hands on Children’s Museum, 414 Jefferson St NE, Olympia. For your chance to learn more about beekeeping and all things bees, reserve your spot online. The event is free with admission or membership to the museum; general admission to the museum is $15.95.

Saturday, Sept. 3

Roy Pioneer Rodeo: Want to see some barrel racing or bull riding? Head to 8710 Higgins Greig Road in Roy Saturday or Sunday. Gates open at noon both days, and the rodeo starts at 1:30 p.m. Purchase your tickets at the gate; adults pay $13, those 60 and older pay $7, kids 6-12 pay $5, and children 5 and under get in free. There is a military discount for active service members. Parking is free on the rodeo grounds. Only service animals are welcome.

Kick-off Zine-a-thon for Olympia Zine Fest 2022: This pre-event will take place at the Olympia Timberland Library on Saturday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Attendees can use library resources to finish their zines the night before the full event. Olympia Zine Fest is an annual event celebrating small handmade self-published works. The full event will take place Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at West Central Park, 1919 Harrison Ave NW, Olympia, and will include live DJs, zine readings, and hands-on activities.

Birding without Breakfast: The Black Hills Audubon Society will host this event the first Saturday of the month, September through June. This month it will be from 7:30 to 10 a.m. at the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, 100 Brown Farm Road N.E. Participants will meet at the Visitor Center overlook. Especially appropriate for beginning and intermediate birders. Find more information on the Black Hills Audubon Society webpage.

The Hinges at West Central Park: The Hinges return to West Central Park, along with Gary Allen May, for a 7 p.m. performance as the park heads into the final weeks of its summer concert season. Bring chairs, picnic blankets and food. The park is at 1919 Harrison Ave. NW, Olympia.

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This story was originally published August 28, 2022 at 5:00 AM.