What’s happening this week around Thurston County

Sunday, July 6

Olympia Film Society’s Kids Club presents “Fantastic Mr. Fox”: Kids 12 and younger get in free to screenings of this Wes Anderson film every Sunday afternoon in July. Screenings start at 1 p.m. July 6, 13, 20 and 27 at the Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia. “Fantastic Mr. Fox” — Anderson’s adaptation of a Roald Dahl children’s book — is the story of a compulsive chicken thief turned newspaper reporter who moves his family into a new foxhole in a beautiful tree directly adjacent to three enormous poultry farms owned by three ferociously vicious farmers. The stop-motion animation film features voice performances by George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Willem Dafoe, Michael Gambon, and Bill Murray. Tickets are available at the box office 30 minutes before showtimes; adults and teens pay $13 general admission or $10 for OFS members.

Monday, July 7

2025 Southwest Washington Regional Juried Art Exhibition with Guest Juror Janae Huber: This exhibition, at the Leonor Fuller Gallery at South Puget Sound Community College’s Olympia campus, features artists working in all media and residing in Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania, Thurston, or Wahkiakum counties. It will run from July 7 to Aug. 28. The opening reception 6 to 8:30 pm Thursday, July 10. Janae Huber, this year’s guest juror, chose 42 works from 42 artists from 210 pieces submitted by 78 individuals. The gallery’s summer hours are noon to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.

Tuesday, July 8

Lacey in Tune’s Children’s Entertainment Series: This 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. Admission is free. Bring your own chair or blanket.

Wednesday, July 9

Lacey’s Noon Tunes concert series: Lacey’s annual outdoor 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 lunchtime concert is free. The park is located at 618 Woodland Square Loop SE. Bring your own chair or blanket.

Downtown Olympia Alliance’s LoveOly Music in the Park: This outdoor concert series kicks off July 9, and this year will feature two bands in a two-hour concert. Wednesday night’s opener is PC&J at 6 pm. This musical duo plays a variety of songs, often with an original twist. The Eclectics go on at 7 pm, performing rock, pop, and modern country. This concert will be at Sylvester Park, 615 Washington St. SE. Admission is free; bring a chair or blanket. The series continues for four Wednesdays at Sylvester Park and Port Plaza.

Pier Peer at Boston Harbor: Explore the sea life that lives around the Boston Harbor docks with the Puget Sound Estuarium. The event runs from 8-10 p.m. July 9 at the marina, 312 73rd Ave. NE. Participants will be able to view the creatures who live deep below the docks with an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Admission, with fees, is $21 for adults and $7 for children 12 and younger. Register on eventbrite.

Thursday, July 10

The Olympia Free Jazz Festival 2025: This five-day festival runs from Thursday, July 10, through Monday, July 14, occurring at four different venues and featuring performers from all along the West Coast. It begins with a house concert of solos, duos and trios at Dr. Wheelz’ Pad at Harrison and Division in west Olympia from 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday; RSVP to drwheelzpad@gmail.com as seating is limited. On Friday from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at New Traditions, 300 Fifth Ave., The Myst and DJ G and the Coop will perform. Saturday evening’s event from 7 to 11 p.m. at at Ilk Lodge, 515 Jefferson St SE, has performances by The Free World, and the Steve Bentley Collective. Sunday’s show, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. also at Ilk Lodge, features the poetry and music of Bay Area saxophonist Lewis Jordan with Music at Large in Olympia and the Ornette Coleman inspired band the Harmolodics. Monday night at the Eagles, 805 Fourth Ave E., finds the Joe Mailhot Jazz Unit closing down the festival from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Admission is free, but a donation of $20 per night is suggested.

Friday, July 11

Olympia closes recruitment for Community Policing Board: The City of Olympia is accepting applications through 5 p.m. Friday, July 11, for community members to serve on the city’s new Community Policing Board. The city is seeking individuals with diverse lived experiences and perspectives to fill three open positions on the board. Board members will work closely with a new Civilian Police Auditor to provide community perspectives on their reports and recommendations, collaborate on engagement and education initiatives. In the event of an officer-involved critical incident (i.e. use of deadly force) board members may be called to serve as community representatives on the regional Capitol Metro Independent Investigations Team and/or the Olympia Police Department’s Internal Use of Force Review Board. Successful applicants are required to complete a background check that meets Criminal Justice Information Service requirements. Membership terms generally run for three years. Applications and details on the application process are available on the City website.

Puget Sound Estuarium’s Meet the Beach: Join the estuarium throughout the summer at local beaches to wade through the mud and turn over small rocks discovering estuary creatures such as crabs, worms, sea stars and clams during summer low tides. The Estuarium’s trained volunteer Beach Naturalists will help you explore and identify the Salish Sea’s unique intertidal life. This week they will be at Burfoot Park on the east side of Budd Inlet from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and noon to 3 p.m. Saturday; Tolmie State Park on the west side of the Nisqually Reach from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday; and Luhr Beach, also on the west side of the Nisqually Beach, from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday. Check out the full schedule on the Estuarium’s website to learn where you can find Beach Naturalists throughout the summer.

Boat building pop-up at East Bay Public Plaza: Think you’ve got what it takes to engineer a boat? Use a variety of materials to craft a boat and refine a design as you test it in the reclaimed water stream at the plaza. Join the WET Science Center educators from noon to 3 p.m. Friday for this free, all-ages event. The plaza is at 325 Marine Drive NE, Olympia, in front of the Hands On Children’s Museum and adjacent to the WET Science Center.

66th Annual McCleary Bear Festival: The small Grays Harbor County town of McCleary has been hosting this festival since 1959. It will run this year from 1 p.m. Friday, July 11, to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 13, at 100 S. Third St. in McCleary. This community event features a grand parade, family entertainment, a softball tournament, car show, soapbox derby, and the famous Bear Festival stew. Find more information on the Bear Festival webpages.

Summer Nights at the Port concert series featuring Queen Mother: The Port of Olympia closes out its concert series of live music, food trucks, and a beer garden with this Queen tribute concert. The free, family-friendly event will take place at the lot next to the Swantown Marina Boat Launch Parking Lot located at the Port’s NorthPoint, 1210 Marine Drive NE, Olympia. Parking can be found at adjacent Swantown Marina Boat Launch.

Saturday, July 12

Hands On Children’s Museum Fire Rescue Spectacular: This annual event has become the ultimate firefighter and first-responder experience for kids. The free street fair is held outside the museum and offers kids the chance to explore Olympia’s fleet of emergency vehicles, take the Junior Firefighter Challenge, meet Sparky the Fire Dog, and enjoy free popsicles. Inside the museum, kids can see wacky Dr. Science demonstrations, practice first aid techniques, and learn how to start a campfire. Museum activities are free with admission. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 414 Jefferson St NE, Olympia.

Here be dragons at the WET Science Center: From giant lizards and winged sea slugs to racing watercraft, discover the real-life “dragons” that live among us. Find out how some animals resemble mythical dragons. Enjoy a variety of dragon crafts, such as paper airplanes, boats, and masks. Activities for all ages run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the center at 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia. Admission is free.

Lacey South Sound BBQ Festival: Do you love slow-cooked traditional BBQ? Here’s your chance to get your taste buds satisfied. The South Sound BBQ Festival runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at Huntamer Park, 618 Woodland Square Loop SE, Lacey. There will be live entertainment, free kids activities, a chicken wing eating contest, an adults-only beer and wine garden, outdoor activities, vendors, and more.

Meet the Percival Plinth artists: Every June, a new selection of loaned sculptures by local and regional artists is installed on Percival Landing for the annual Percival Plinth Project. Then in July, the community is invited to cast their vote for one sculpture to be added to the City of Olympia’s public art collection and remain on display in Olympia. Join the kick-off event on Saturday, July 12, from 4-6 pm at Percival Landing when the city will be handing out sweet treats and offering the opportunity to meet some of this year’s participating artists.

Sunday, July 13

Capital City Chorus of Olympia concert and sing-along: This “Summer Sing” concert and Vivaldi “Gloria” sing-along will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 13, at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Come to sing or come to listen. The first half of the concert will feature the Capital City Chorus Mixed Choir and Chorale presenting several featured pieces, including works by composers who live or work in the city of Lacey. The concert’s second half will feature Vivaldi’s “Gloria” in sing-along style. Bring your own score, or a limited number of scores will be available to borrow. The Olympia Chamber Orchestra will be featured along with soloists Danielle Tobin and Crystal Zimmerman. Admission is free and no tickets are needed, but donations are gratefully accepted.

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 July 5, 2025 at 12:00 PM.