What’s happening this week in Thurston County
Sunday, Sept. 14
Puget Sound Estuarium’s Sea Stroll: Discover the intertwined cultural and ecological history of Olympia’s shoreline on the Estuarium’s Sea Stroll tour from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, Sept. 14. Starting from the Estuarium on State Avenue, the tour will loop around the downtown core to trace the historic changes to Olympia’s shoreline. The Sea Stroll is approximately 1.5 miles long and includes free admission to the Estuarium facility. The tour will cover how the estuary was formed, honor the original people who have stewarded this land, discuss how water processes have impacted the estuary’s water quality, trace the arrival of non-natives and the establishment of early Olympia, discuss the importance of oysters and the role estuaries play in the ecosystem, and look towards the future, considering rising seas and the restoration of the estuary. Cost is $18 for adults (13 and older); children participate for free. Register in advance on eventbrite.
Abra Cadabra — A Tribute to ABBA: ABRA Cadabra, Vancouver, B.C.’s renowned ABBA tribute band, returns to Olympia for a show at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE. This family-friendly concert is an interactive stage extravaganza that will have you dancing, singing along, and reliving the magic of the 1970s Swedish pop group’s biggest hits. Tickets are $57 to $77.
Tuesday, Sept. 16
What’s Up With the Port of Olympia’s Airport Plans? Join the Sierra Club’s South Sound Group at 6 p.m. Sept. 16 at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NW, for a discussion on how the Port of Olympia’s plans to expand infrastructure and air traffic at the Olympia Airport could affect the quality of life in Thurston County. Guest speaker will be Ronda Larson Kramer, who has practiced law in the Puget Sound region since 2001.
Thurston County seeks community input on it Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan: The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) will hold a public hearing to receive and consider public testimony on the 2025 Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan Update. The proposed update is available on the county’s website. The public hearing will be at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, at the Atrium, Room 110, 3000 Pacific Ave. SE, Olympia, or or online. Those wishing to testify should appear in person or connect virtually and be heard. Written comments may be submitted no later than noon Tuesday, Sept. 16 by using the online comment form; by e-mail to Amelia Schwartz, Associate Planner at Amelia.Schwartz@co.thurston.wa.us; or via the mail at Thurston County Community Planning & Economic Development, Attention: Amelia Schwartz, 3000 Pacific Ave. SE, Olympia, WA 98501.
Thursday, Sept. 18
Olympia World Affairs Council speaker series: The council is beginning a Monthly Speaker Series for the 2025-2026 season at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, at the Lacey SPSCC Campus, 4220 Sixth Ave. SE and on Zoom. Lt. Gov. Denny Heck will be speaking on Washington’s international trade relations. For more details, visit the OWAC website.
Friday, Sept. 19
Volunteers wanted for Master Recycler Composter program: Are you passionate about recycling, waste reduction, and composting? Do you want to serve Thurston County as a volunteer? If yes, then we want you to join the Thurston County Master Recycler Composter volunteer program, which runs from October through March. The Washington State University (WSU) Thurston County Extension and Thurston County Public Works are recruiting for the 2025-26 Master Recycler Composter (MRC) Volunteer Training program. The interactive training focuses on a wide range of topics taught by regional experts, Thurston County staff, and WSU Extension staff who specialize in composting, recycling and waste reduction. Classes will be in-person on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 17, Oct. 24, Nov. 7, Nov. 21, Dec. 5, Dec. 19, Jan. 23, Jan. 30, Feb. 6, Feb. 20, March 6 and March 20. The deadline to apply is Friday, Sept. 19 at 5 p.m. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, and either live, work, or operate a business in Thurston County. For more information, or to apply, visit the Master Recycler Composter webpage.
Grand Opening for Colvin Ranch Provisions: Colvin Ranch Provisions, located at the new Tenino Agriculture Innovation Park, will celebrate its grand opening from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, at the park, 16404 Old Highway 99 SE, Suite 104. The store — which sells the ranch’s grass-finished beef and pasture-raised pork and other food items produced in the region Wednesdays through Sundays — will be handing out free samples from Southwest Washington food producers, tastings from Tenino food businesses HotBabe-HotSauce and Wild Heart Sipping Vinegar, and giving out cookies from Simply Organic Cafe & Catering. For more information, visit the ranch’s website.
Pier Peer At Boston Harbor: Explore the estuary with the Puget Sound Estuarium. See all the fantastic animals that live on and around the Boston Harbor docks. View those that live deep below with an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The event runs from 7-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, at the marina, 312 73rd Ave. NE. Recommended for those 6 and older. Cost is $18 for those 13 and older, $5 for children 6 to 12. Must have 1 adult for every 2 children. Register in advance at eventbrite.
Saturday, Sept. 20
Thurston County 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 the building) can be arranged but usually takes 3-4 weeks. Those looking for furniture are welcomed. For more information, go to bit.ly/furniturebankdonations
Emergency Preparedness Expo: Learn how organizations prepare and how you can prepare yourself and your family for emergencies at this free event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NW. There will be activities for the whole family. The event is organized by the Thurston County Emergency Management Council.
StoryOly Grand Slam: The StoryOly Grand Slam brings together the very best storytellers from the past season of StoryOly, each taking the stage at the historic Capitol Theater to share their craft in front of a live audience. Elizabeth Lord will be the host, with music by Vendredi’s Bag. The event begins at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m. Tickets are $23.25 and are available at olympiafilmsociety.org or at the Capitol Theater box office. The Mezzanine Lounge will be open for guests 21+ with ID, serving drinks throughout the evening. Recommended for those 14 and older.
Clam Chowder Challenge: The Lacey Hawks Prairie Rotary Club is again hosting this friendly competition between about a dozen local restaurants. The tasting begins at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Thurston County Fairgrounds, 3054 Carpenter Road SE, Lacey, for those with VIP tickets. General admission is $25 in advance and $30 at the door starting at 5 p.m. Each ticket holder gets a 3 oz taste of each chowder, plus a cookie, beverages, grilled cheese sandwich and bratwurst. Kids 12 and younger get in free with a paying adult.
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 September 13, 2025 at 12:00 PM.