Monday, May 27
Memorial Day at the Capitol Campus: Two permitted events will bring people to the Capitol Campus on Memorial Day Hundreds are expected to attend a Memorial Day ceremony from 10 a.m. to noon at the Legislative Building, featuring speakers, a military band, and honor guard. Then from noon to 2 p.m., the Olympia Thunder Run will bring motorcycles to the Vietnam Memorial on the Capitol Campus. That ceremony will feature speeches, a bagpiper, and a bugler. Visitor parking on the South Diagonal will be closed until 2 p.m.
Memorial Veterans Council ceremony at American Lake VA: This ceremony at 10:30 a.m. is titled “Leaving No Story Behind” to acknowledge that veterans are never meant to shoulder their stories and grief alone. The Veteran Rites group and American Lake VA Suicide Prevention Team have put the program together to remember, honor, grieve, and celebrate friends and family members lost during and after service. There will be an opportunity to share stories. The gathering will be at Picnic Point at American Lake VA. Active Duty, veterans and veteran family members, Gold Star mothers, survivors of veteran suicide loss, and service animals (please no family pets) are invited. The site is ADA Accessible with a shelter, portable bathrooms, and access to greenery and the lake. Feel free to bring flowers, photos, or items of significance and remembrance of loved ones. The group also will take prayer requests, call in names, or share stories of loved ones should you not be able to attend or be able to speak. Food, drinks and snacks will be provided after the ceremony; those who feel called to bring a dish to share. Bring a camping chair for seating. For more information, to submit a remembrance or get directions, go to the Veterans Rites webpage.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord Memorial Day ceremony: JBLM will host a Memorial Day Ceremony Monday at Camp Lewis Cemetery at 11:30 a.m. Monday on JBLM Lewis Main. During the ceremony a wreath will be placed adjacent to the Camp Lewis Cemetery flagpole honoring the soldiers, airmen and civilians who have served and made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the United States. The I Corps Band will provide music, and an Army and Air Force Honor Guard will present the colors. A salute battery will fire a 21-gun salute to honor fallen comrades, followed by the playing of Taps. Visitors who want to attend the JBLM ceremony will be required to obtain a pass from JBLM Visitors Center at exit 120 on Interstate 5. Signs will direct attendees to the cemetery.
Tuesday, May 28
Lantern Lights the Library -- The Ape and Bundt Cake concert: Lantern Records and Friends of the Olympia Library present live music from The Ape (Olympia punk rock) and Bundt Cake (Olympia granny punk) from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Olympia Timberland Library, 313 Eighth Ave. SE. It is part of a series of events designed to make local music accessible to people of all ages in a safe, fun environment. There will be light snacks and earplugs available.
WSDA ‘Golden Trap Ceremony’ to celebrate 50 years protecting Washington from spongy moth: Seasonal trappers are starting to disperse throughout the state to set traps as part of the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s (WSDA) annual hunt for invasive species. This marks the start of the 50th year that WSDA has monitored for and successfully kept spongy moth – a highly invasive pest that has devastated forests in the Eastern United States – from establishing in Washington. While WSDA trapped 1,315 moths in 1983, the eradication project has been so successful that since 1995 there have only been two years that the department trapped more than 100 moths. To celebrate this success, WSDA will hold a “Golden Trap Ceremony” on Tuesday, May 28 at 12:15 p.m. near the Sunken Garden on the state Capitol Campus in Olympia. Tracy Shirek, a seasonal trapping supervisor for nearly 30 years, will hang a golden trap to mark the start of the trapping season. Spongy moth is just one of 130 pests that WSDA’s Pest Program monitors, including Japanese beetles, apple maggots, grape and stone fruit pests, wood-boring insects and northern giant hornets. WSDA’s traps are labeled. If you find a trap, do not disturb it. Traps are placed in grids to ensure proper pest detection. If a trap has fallen or needs to be moved, note the number written on the trap and contact the WSDA Pest Program at pest@agr.wa.gov or 800-443-6684.
Wednesday, May 29
Kiwanis Day of Champions — “The Day of a Million Smiles”: Day of Champions is a free, all-volunteer event designed for students with disabilities and challenges to participate in a highly-modified track and field event. It will happen from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at South Sound Stadium at North Thurston High School, 600 Sleater Kinney Road NE, Lacey. The Parade of Champions is at 10 a.m. Every school in the North Thurston Public Schools is represented, with more than 300 students participating. There will be close to 400 volunteers to assist and support, including 200 military volunteers, cheerleaders, mascots, plus high school and community volunteers. Participants will take part in 16 field stations including “Big Ball,” Parachute and much more. Lacey Police will display a police cruiser, Lacey Fire District 3 will share a fire truck and Intercity Transit will have a bus for participants to explore. An Army band from will provide upbeat music. The North Thurston High School Booster Club will offer food and drinks at the concession stand. Community service and support groups will have informational tables for families and spectators. All participants receive a medal, free T shirt, and a book provided by South Sound Reading Foundation. There is no on-site parking. Shuttle bus service is available at the Capital Christian Center parking lot at 4431 Martin Way E., Olympia (corner of Martin Way and College St.) For more information, contact karenschoessel@comcast.net
Saturday, June 1
NAMIWalks at Shelton High School: The National Alliance on Mental Illness, known locally as NAMI Thurston/Mason, is hosting NAMIWalks 2024 on Saturday, June 1, at Shelton High School’s Jack Stark Field at Highclimber Stadium, 3737 N Shelton Springs Road, Sheltom. NAMIWalks is a fundraiser and the largest mental health event series in the country and invites participants to share their stories, build community, and walk together. Registration and check-in begin at 8 a.m. Friends, family, kids, and pets are welcome at this day of awareness and activities. Register to start a team, be a sponsor or just come out for a walk. Funds raised directly support NAMI’s education, advocacy, support and public awareness programs.
11th Annual Veterans Resource Fair at the Tacoma Dome: This is the largest stand down event for military personnel, veterans, and their families west of the Mississippi River. Don’t miss this opportunity to gather resources, access supports, learn your earned benefits and support those who served our country. The free fair runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 1, at the Tacoma Dome, 2727 E D St, Tacoma. For more information, visit the NineLine Veterans Services website .
Fabulous Flowers at the WET Science Center: Spring has arrived and suddenly there are rainbows everywhere. You can find flowers of every color: red-flowering currant, orange jewelweed, yellow skunk cabbage, white trillium, purple lupine, pink bleeding hearts, and more. Learn more about these beauties through fun activities and colorful crafts. All ages are welcome for activities at the WET Science Center, 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 1. Admission is free.
Thurston County Furniture Bank open: The nonprofit Thurston County Furniture Bank is open the first and third Saturdays of every month 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 and those looking for furniture are welcome. For more information, go to Furniture Bank of Thurston County-Olympia CRC website .
Sunday, June 2
“The Bigelow House in Style” at the Bigelow House Museum: Visitors to the Bigelow House Museum can enjoy “The Bigelow House in Style” exhibit through August. Vintage women’s clothing is being featured throughout the house, including an 1880s wedding gown; an 1890s brocade dress; an early 20th century tea dress; 1910s walking suit; and an 1890s day dress. The clothing is from the Bigelow House Museum collection and private collections. The house is open for guided tours at 1, 2, and 3 p.m. the first two Sundays of the month with an admission fee. Special tours can also be arranged by emailing olyhistory@gmail.com. The Bigelow House is at 918 Glass Ave. NE, Olympia. For more information, go to olympiahistory.org .
Would you like to have your event included in our weekly What’s Happening listing? Email the details to news@theolympian.com at least 10 days before the event. Please put What’s Happening in the subject line.
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