Outdoor entertainment arrives with warm weather and July 4. Here’s what’s on tap this weekend

‘Midsummer’ in Wonderwood Park

Animal Fire Theatre’s 13th outdoor Shakespeare production will be a lucky one for fans of the bard’s most fairy-filled summer show, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Brian Hatcher — who runs the company with his husband, Scott Douglas, who is leading the cast in the roles of Theseus and Oberon — directs the mischief-filled comedy, opening Friday, July 4, in a glade within Lacey’s Wonderwood Park. “We have the opportunity to transform that space into the fairy kingdom,” said assistant director Aaron Gotzon, who’s playing the role of Bottom the Weaver. Also in the cast: Adam Ashcraft, Samantha Chandler, Sebastian de la Cruz, Korja Giles, Isabel Nixon Klein, Karen Longo, Kalen McCrea, Maxwell Reister, Ed Thorpe, Anne “Lorrie” Tracy and Kimberlee McDaniel Wolfson. Performances are at 7 p.m. Fridays through Sundays through July 27 in the park at 5304 32nd Ave. SE, Lacey. (The performance space is near the tennis courts.) Admission is free, with donations appreciated. Chairs, blankets and picnics are all good ideas, and insect repellent is essential.

Lacey, Tumwater celebrate Independence Day their own way

South Sound has its own timing when it comes to fireworks. The Lacey Fireworks Spectacular happens every July 3. In Olympia, fireworks are part of Capital Lakefair, with this summer’s display set for July 20, and Boston Harbor has canceled its fireworks, also traditionally held July 3. In Tumwater, though, the celebrations fall right on the Fourth of July. The parade, proceeding from Capitol Boulevard to Israel Road Southwest, begins at 11 a.m. Friday and the festival at Tumwater Valley Golf Course, 4611 Tumwater Valley Drive SE, starts at 6 p.m. Friday with entertainment, food vendors and activities for kids, and culminates with fireworks at 10:15 p.m. It’s all free, though festival parking is $10 per car, with proceeds benefiting Thurston County Special Olympics; only cash is accepted.

Al fresco entertainment in full swing

Both Lacey and Olympia are launching their summer entertainment series in the coming days.

• Lacey in Tune’s Children’s Entertainment Series, happening at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays in Huntamer Park, 618 Woodland Square Loop SE, starts with physical comedian Alex Zerbe (also known as the Professional Zaniac), who’ll perform July 8.

• Lacey’s Noon Tunes concert series, happening Wednesdays in Huntamer Park, begins July 9 with returning favorite Full Metal Racket, part of the 133rd Army National Guard Band. The band plays classic and contemporary rock.

• The Downtown Olympia Alliance’s LoveOly Music in the Park concerts happen at 6 p.m. Wednesdays, kicking off with performances by PC & J and The Eclectics, who’ll perform in Sylvester Park, 615 Washington St. SE. The Eclectics play rock, pop and country tunes, and PC & J’s repertoire includes jazz, rhythm and blues, rock and folk.

Freelance writer Molly Gilmore talks with DJ Kevin the Brit about what’s happening around town on KGY-FM’s “Oly in a Can,” airing at 2 p.m. Fridays.