Help a charity by eating at Capital Lakefair. Here’s where to grab a bite
Capital Lakefair returns to Olympia on Wednesday, bringing five days of carnival games, all-ages entertainment and a dozen food vendors.
Entry to the annual summer festival at Capitol Lake is free, but organizers encourage visitors to purchase a bite once inside where all or some profits will go to charity.
That’s according to organizer Karen Adams-Griggs. In order to engage with the five-day summer festival, vendors must donate profits to a charity of choice, she said.
Some participating vendors are nonprofits themselves, while others are local restaurants donating to a cause. Eleven of the 12 vendors are return contributors from 2025, with Red Lantern Asian Fusion replacing Uptown Grill.
Outside food is permitted, although alcohol is not allowed inside the fair.
The fair runs from July 15 to July 19, with the following vendors operating from noon to 11 p.m. along Water Street next to Heritage Park.
- Communicado — Proceeds from the tacos and burritos vendor will support Latino families in accessing language education.
- Fast N Fresh — Serving gyros, chicken fritters and french fries. This vendor’s proceeds will fund scholarships.
- Olympia Host Lions Club Burger Den — The lions have led service projects in Olympia since 1935, and are bringing burgers to Capital Lakefair this week through an entirely volunteer-operated booth.
- Pacific Ohana — This booth will offer Hawaiian pulled pork, teriyaki chicken and lumpia.
- 54 Stevens Racing — Sells classic fair treats like funnel cakes, cotton candy and kettle corn to support shelters and students in need.
- Red Lantern Asian Fusion — This Olympia business will bring its bubble tea, chow mein, fried rice, pot stickers and spring rolls to the fair.
- Olympia Eagles Ladies Auxiliary — The local service organization will offer strawberry shortcake, Italian sodas and Lotus energy drinks.
- Olympia Hindu Temple & Cultural Center — The Olympia spiritual and cultural center will serve street food like michi bajji, samosas and masala chai.
- Campers Coffee — The Lacey-area coffee shop will bring its mission to Capital Lakefair, with proceeds going towards its partnered homeless support provider City Campers.
- Hungarian Kitchen — Sweet and savory elephant ears will support scholarships.
- Thurston County Democrats — The local political affiliate will bring its famous “Demoburgers” to the fair, which are made with Walla Walla onions and support the Democratic cause.
- Thurston County Republicans — The booth will offer pulled pork sandwiches, nachos and crispy fries, with proceeds benefiting the local Republican Party.
The full weekend itinerary can be found on the Capital Lakefair website.