What’s happening this week around Thurston County

Sunday, May 11

Olympia Wooden Boat Festival: This event has been a prized community tradition for over 45 years, taking place each Mother’s Day weekend at Olympia’s Percival Landing, 217 Thurston Ave. NW. Hours are 11 am to 5 pm Sunday. Visitors can admire various historic and modern wooden boats while hearing stories from their captains about the craftsmanship, restoration, and adventures behind each vessel. Local artists showcase handcrafted goods along the boardwalk, some creating new pieces on site. There will be local food vendors and live music in the park. Admission is free.

Ballet Northwest presents “The Sleeping Beauty”: Ballet Northwest will present Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet this Mother’s Day Weekend at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. The final performance is at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 11. The fairy tale ballet will feature 100 local dancers (from Thurston, Lewis, Mason, and Pierce counties) plus two Ballet Northwest alumni: Natalie Allenton and Bina Anvari. Tickets range from $22 to $45, with discounts available to students, seniors, and youth. Student rush tickets are available one hour before curtain. Tickets are available through the Washington Center Box Office or by calling 360-753-8566. Visit www.balletnorthwest.org for more information or buy tickets online at www.washingtoncenter.org/bnw.

Sea Stroll Historic Downtown Tour: Got Mother’s Day plans? Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team (DERT) and the Puget Sound Estuarium are teaming up to offer a deep dive into the cultural and ecological history of the estuary in this walking tour series. The tour will loop around the downtown core to track the historic changes to Olympia’s shoreline. Learn about geologic events that created the estuary, Indigenous presence and stewardship of these lands, and why an estuary was important for making Olympia into the city today. Plus tour leaders will dive into the restoration plan for Capitol Lake and the future of the estuary. The first tour is 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, May 11. The tour is 1.5 miles, with some rest stops and bathrooms along the way, so wear comfortable shoes, dress for the weather, and stay hydrated. Preregistration is required as there is limited space available. Cost is $18 for adults (13 and older); those 12 and younger join for free. Tickets are available through eventbrite.

Tuesday, May 13

Christian Women’s Connection “Happy Mother’s Day” luncheon: The luncheon is planned for noon Tuesday, May 13, at The Gallery next to Seventeen51 Restaurant & Bistro at Panorama, 1751 Circle Lane SE, Lacey. Cost is $22 which includes a lunch of chicken pot pie, green salad with poppyseed vinaigrette, and carrot cake. The Timberline High School Chamber Choir will perform, and the inspirational speaker will be Ann Powell from Woodinville, who will share that the pain of the journey has gifts. All ladies are invited. Call Sylvia for reservations at 360-791-4698 or 360-943-0627.

Wednesday, May 14

SPSCC hosts second annual Career & Transfer Fair: South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) invites the community to its second annual Career & Transfer Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, at its Olympia campus in the Health & Wellness Center (Bldg. 31). The Career & Transfer Fair is an opportunity to explore a variety of career and transfer options. With over 125 participating employers, universities, and resource tables, attendees will have access to information and employment opportunities. Throughout the fair, attendees can win prizes, enjoy complimentary snacks, and receive a free professional profile photo. Additionally, expert advisers will be available for on-the-spot resume and personal statement reviews. For more information about the Career & Transfer Fair, including a list of participating employers and universities, visit spscc.edu/career-transfer-fair.

A Tapestry of Asian Tales, a Storytelling Event: Four Asian-American storytellers tell tales from across Asia. Come hear about the Wise Old Woman Who Saved Her Village and other traditional and personal tales. A Story Swap will follow, where listeners can sign up to tell an 8-minute story. The event is 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at The Harbor House, 217 Thurston Ave. NE, Olympia. It is sponsored by the South Sounds Story Guild.

Thursday, May 15

Olympia World Affairs Council speaker series: “Food Sovereignty: Holistically Local to Global” will the topic addressed by Prita Lal, a professor at The Evergreen State College. The event begins at 7 p.m. with social time, followed by the speaker at 7:30 p.m. at South Puget Sound Community College’s Lacey Campus, 4220 Sixth Ave SE. For more information, go to the OWAC website. The event is free and open to the public.

Friday, May 16

Olympia Family Theater presents “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”: Get ready to laugh out loud at this Tony Award-winning musical comedy, a crowd-pleaser for preteens, teens and adults alike. (It’s recommended for those 13 and older.) The musical will run from May 16 to June 8 at the theater, 612 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia. Online tickets are available, with a recommended price of $20.

Free public talk on “Cultivating Mental Well-Being”: Nalanda Institute founder Jamyang Loppon will address the topic from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at the Olympia Senior Center, Room 100, 222 Columbia St. NW, Olympia. No pre-registration is required.

Saturday, May 17

Historic Preservation Month tours: Following this year’s theme “Power of Place,” tours of historic downtown Olympia are being offered at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, May 17, leaving and returning from 203 Columbia St. NW. The one-hour tours will highlight the city’s history and historic buildings and require considerable walking. Each tour is limited to 20 people. The free tours are sponsored by the Olympia Arts + Heritage Alliance in partnership with the Olympia Heritage Commission, Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum. For more information, email info@olyaha.org or olyhistory@gmail.com.

Lacey Spring Fun Fair: This annual event is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 17, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 18, on the campus of Saint Martin’s University in Lacey. Admission to the fair and all of the fun activities, attractions, live entertainment and rides is free. There will be food and items available for purchase in the vendor area. There is limited free parking available at the event. Free shuttles will be operating at South Sound Center (521 Sleater Kinney Road SE, Lacey) every 15 minutes, taking you to and from the fair. Highlights include: Kids’ World, in the Marcus Pavilion, with booths for making crafts, playing games, face painting, solving puzzles, bubbles and more; bounce houses and inflatable obstacle courses, the Circus Train, carnival rides, and Police and Fire vehicles; live entertainment by local musicians; STEM Fair on Saturday; Car Show on Sunday.

YWCA of Olympia hosts Let’s Talk -- Housing Crisis: Join the YWCA from 11 am to 2 pm Saturday for a program that will focus on the current housing crisis, with particular emphasis on homelessness and accessibility to housing. It will explore the initiatives being undertaken by Thurston County and Washington State to address these issues, as well as how individuals can get involved and contribute to the solution. There will be a panel with guest speakers experienced with these subjects. Following the panel, there will be a provided lunch, workshop, group discussions, and a clear call to action at the end. Tickets are $35; register in advance.

South Sound Studio Tour: The self-guided studio tour of local artists’ workspaces is back from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. This free, self-guided tour lets you step inside local studios, meet talented artists, and experience creativity in action across Olympia, Tumwater, and Lacey. Admission is free. Learn more at southsoundstudiotour.org

Emerald City Music season finale: Artistic Director Kristin Lee and newly appointed Executive Director Sean Campbell prepare for the finale of ECM’s Season 09 with the return of its Evolution series, this time delving into the world of the flute. This concert will feature five exceptional flutists –– Emi Ferguson, Anthony Trionfo, Christina Hughes, Joshua Romatowski, and program co-curator Sungwoo Steven Kim –– each showcasing the instrument’s evolution from its ancient origins to its contemporary brilliance. The concert is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Capital High School Performing Arts Center, 2707 Conger Ave NW, Olympia. Admission is $49 or $39 for adults; $10 for students.

WET Science Center celebrates Endangered Species Day: Discover how to help protect some of our planet’s most vulnerable creatures. With fun activities and hands-on learning, you’ll leave inspired to make a difference for the endangered animals that depend on us. (No live animals will be attending.) Activities run from 10 am to 4 pm Saturday at the WET Science Center, 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia. Admission is free.

Pianist Scott Cossu in concert: Sloan Family Chiropractic is inviting the public to a concert it is hosting featuring pianist Scott Cossu. Cossu, now a popular local pianist and composer, was nominated for a Lifetime Achievement Award from One World Music and Best Piano with Instruments. The concert will be at 7 p.m. Saturday at First Christian Church, 701 Franklin St. SE, Olympia. Admission is by donation, and proceeds will go to the musician and a local youth nonprofit. Desserts and coffee will be served. Text 360-918-3644 if you plan to attend.

Sunday, May 18

Capital City Marathon: The 2025 Capital City Marathon in Olympia will take place on Sunday, May 18. The event includes a marathon, half marathon and five-mile race, plus a free kids run at the end of the day. The marathon start time is 7 a.m., the half marathon starts at 7:45 a.m., and the five-mile race begins at 8 a.m. on Washington Street at Sylvester Park, and the course winds through the city. Register on the marathon website.

Colvin Ranch Day: Colvin Ranch in Thurston is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its Natural Resources Conservation Service conservation easement with a public celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the ranch, 16816 Old Highway 99 SE, Tenino. They will offer tours of the ranch, present awards to their partners, provide box lunches, and NRCS will lead wildflower walks. Learn more on the ranch’s blog.

Peace Choir’s final concert of the season: The Olympia Peace Choir, the Olympia Peace Singers and Treble Voices for Peace, recipients of Olympia’s Inspire Olympia Grant 2024-2025, will gather to perform their final concert of the season, Music in the Park, on Sunday, May 18, from noon until 2 pm, at Thomas W. Huntamer Park, 618 Woodland Square Loop, Lacey. Picnics encouraged. Admission is free and concerts are family friendly.

Would you like to have your event included in our weekly What’s Happening calendar? Email the details to news@theolympian.com at least 10 days before the event. Please put What’s Happening in the subject line.

This story was originally published May 10, 2025 at 12:00 PM.