Gear up for ‘A Roaring Good Time’ at the 68th Capital Lakefair, which starts Wednesday
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said there would be blimps in the parade.
Summertime in Olympia means Capital Lakefair, and this year’s annual festival will bring old traditions and new must-tries to Heritage Park. The theme for the five-day festival is “A Roaring Good Time.”
Co-President Karen Adams-Griggs told The Olympian the theme was inspired by The Great Gatsby, bringing a touch of 1925 to the 21st century.
“I’m also an English teacher, and … we’re reading The Great Gatsby,” she explained.
Not to mention, this year’s Lakefair logo was designed by Jade Candelaria, a student at Avanti High School where Adams-Griggs teaches.
What to expect
From July 16 to July 20, annual Lakefair classics like the parade, carnival, car show and fireworks will return to Olympia. Admission is free, but food, arts and crafts purchases and carnival rides will be available for purchase.
This year, the entertainment main stage is bringing back the high school battle of the bands on Wednesday, a fan favorite making its comeback after the pandemic.
The grand parade will also feature Seattle Seahawks’ mascot Blitz for the first time, and the Olympia Hindu Temple & Cultural Center is debuting as the newest vendor on food row.
Co-President Karen Adams-Griggs said food row is her favorite part of Lakefair.
“I honestly love food row,” she said. “... I love the shawarma guy, and I absolutely love the Hawaiian food, and I’m looking forward to the new Hindu food, and then everyone has to have a Lion’s burger or a Demoburger.”
Aside from good food and good times, prepare for weather in the high 80s and low 90s, and look out for the following road closures.
July 18-21: Water Street next to Heritage Park
July 18, noon to 10 p.m.: Deschutes Parkway from Lakeridge to Fifth Avenue.
This year’s events
Funtastic Traveling Shows Carnival presents rides and games for all ages at Heritage Park (Fifth Avenue SW). This year, tickets will be available for purchase only on site. Thursday is discount day, with five rides for $25. Hours are:
Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday from noon to 11 p.m.
Sunday from noon to midnight.
Food concessions will be available from noon to 11 p.m. each day along Water Street, also known as food row. Most vendors are local nonprofits that direct money from the fair back into the community through scholarships and programming.
The Lakefair Grand Parade will take place on Saturday, with pre-parade hype kicking off at 4:45 p.m. followed by the parade at 5 p.m. The procession will begin along Capitol Way at 20th Avenue and make its way north on Capitol to Fifth Avenue, ending near the bridge.
The annual Car Show will feature custom and vintage cars, trucks and motorcycles, taking place on Friday from 5 to 8:30 p.m. The show will begin at Marathon Park and continue along Deschutes Parkway toward Heritage Park. Foot traffic is open for the event, but vehicle access is blocked at Fifth Avenue. There will be no parking within the restricted section of Deschutes Parkway.
The Entertainment Main Stage will feature a lineup of local, regional and national groups, including the battle of the bands on Wednesday. Live performances will run from noon to 10 p.m. each day.
Wednesday: Battle of the Bands, Bless the Ashes, Strias
Thursday: Dogger, Motorcar, The Mistaken, Reverent Circle
Friday: Chance of Ghosts, Huligan, Crossing Crusades, Wide Eye Panic
Saturday: Kinetic Dance Academy, The Inclusionaires, The Grit, Ledfoot Granny, Nineteen 80 Four, Switchback 360
Sunday: Jams, AKA, Clear Nothing, The Proffits, Positrac, Dannirose, The Six
Local craft vendor booths will be open all five days of Lakefair from noon to 9 p.m. at Heritage Park.
Lakefair’s 50+ in the Park Seniors Day will take place on Friday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Heritage Park near the entertainment main stage. The event will feature live entertainment, vendors, activities, prizes and giveaways.
This story was originally published July 14, 2025 at 5:00 AM.