What’s happening this week around Thurston County
Sunday, Aug. 31
Harbor Days wraps up: Olympia celebration of its maritime heritage wraps up Sunday on the Budd Inlet waterfront. This free event showcases many of the vintage tugboats of the Puget Sound with a walk aboard show at the docks and races in the bay. Visitors to the event may also find tall ships, steamships, other historic vessels of 20th century commerce, tribal canoes, and current recreational small watercraft. Harbor cruises on Budd Bay are also offered. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, with the tugboat races happening midday. Learn more on the Harbor Days website.
Monday, Sept. 1
Labor Day Rally for Workers and Democracy: On Monday, Sept. 1, from 11 am to 12:30 pm, members of Olympia Indivisible and allies will hold a nonviolent Labor Day sign-waving protest along the 521 block of Sleater Kinney Road in Lacey. Participants will call out the Trump administration’s attacks on working people and democracy, while collecting food donations for the Thurston County Food Bank. Protesters will line the roadside with signs supporting immigrants and defending Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Chants will be accompanied by drums, cowbells, and pots and pans. Those without signs can make one at a booth on site. Activists will also hold a 12-by-8-foot banner reading “Workers over Billionaires” from the I-5 Exit 108 overpass, visible to southbound drivers. Partner groups, including Evergreen Resistance, the Backbone Campaign, and the Olympia Visibility Brigade, will display signs on other I-5 overpasses in Olympia, Tumwater, and Lacey. In addition, participants can sign a letter of thanks to Attorney General Brown for rejecting the Department of Justice’s attempt to strip Washington of its sanctuary status for immigrants and refugees.
Olympia Porch Fest: Play Music on the Porch Day, traditionally held the last Saturday in August, has been a thing since 2014, and some South Sound musicians have been participating at least since 2019. This year, though, Olympia is stepping up its celebration with the first Olympia Porch Fest, happening from noon to 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1. The fest features a long list of well-known bands and solo artists, including Eleanor Murray, The Oly Mountain Boys, Malaikat dan Singa and Artesian Rumble Arkestra — plus comedy by Sam Miller. The porch locations, on Olympia’s east side, are a secret; those wishing to attend can gather at San Francisco Street Bakery, 1320 San Francisco Ave. NE, Olympia, for a map. The fest is free, with donations encouraged.
Wednesday, Sept. 3
Tours of Governor’s Mansion resume: The Governor’s Mansion Foundation will resume volunteer-run tours of the Mansion on Wednesday, Sept. 3. Visitors can now register for 30-minute tours on Sept. 3 or Sept. 10. The all-volunteer, nonpartisan, nonprofit Governor’s Mansion Foundation designs and organizes the tours showcasing the history of the building and its furnishings and the art and library collections. Tours also include the family photo display of the six state governors who served before the Mansion’s completion. Also known as the Executive Residence, the Mansion has been the home of 17 governors and their families. Completed in 1909, it’s the oldest building at the Capitol Campus. As part of the State Capitol Historic District, it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places and on the National Votes for Women Trail. Tours take place Wednesday, Sept. 3 and Wednesday, Sept. 10, every half-hour from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
Thursday, Sept. 4
Movie Night at Lacey Library: The Lacey Timberland Library is launching a fall series of free movies from beloved cult films and offbeat adventures, to endlessly quotable moments. The movies will show at 5:30 p.m. the first Thursday of the month. This month’s movie is “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” a 1975 comedy rated PG. Come solo, bring a friend, or make it a low-key date night. No tickets needed. Popcorn provided. Pajamas optional. Films will be shown with open captions when available. The library is at 500 College St. SE.
Saturday, Sept. 6
Furniture Bank open: The nonprofit all-volunteer Thurston County Furniture Bank is open the first and third Saturdays of every month (as well as the following Wednesdays) from 9 a.m. to noon at 2121 Log Cabin Road SE, Olympia. The Furniture Bank building is at the back of the parking lot. Donations of gently used furniture are accepted. Pick up of donations within a limited geographical area (15 minutes from our building) can be arranged but usually takes 3-4 weeks. Those looking for furniture are welcomed.
Nautical Adventure at the WET Science Center: Ahoy there! Climb aboard for a nautical day filled with coastal crafts and seafaring activities. Practice tying knots like a sailor, decode signal flag messages, and build a miniature lighthouse from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the WET Science Center, 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia. Admission is free to this all-ages event.
Movies at the Marina presents “Jumanji”: If you like free, family-friendly fun, you’ll love the Port of Olympia’s Movies at the Marina outdoor movie events. At 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6 at Swantown Marina (alongside the Billy Frank Jr. Trail, south of the Marina Office at 1022 Marine Drive NE), you can catch the screening of “Jumanji,” a magical board game that unleashes a world of adventure on siblings who work to free a man who’s been stuck in the game’s inner world for decades. Concessions will be available for purchase. Bring your own seating, and be prepared for cool evening temperatures.
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 August 30, 2025 at 12:00 PM.