family activities: Ever Seen Tugboats Race?? Now's Your Chance in Olympia! - 09/03/09 02:37 PM
Tomorrow through Sunday, you can enjoy the 36th annual Harbor Days Festival  (www.harbordays.com) in Olympia - with the main attraction being races of actual vintage tugboats!  This is a very cool weekend of fun, celebrating Olympia's maritime heritage.  The tall ships Lady Washington and The Hawaiian Chieftain will also be in town as will the steamship Virginia V (www.virginiav.org)   
The festival starts Friday (Sept. 4th) at 5 PM and that is when the tall ships will be arriving at Port Plaza and the steamship at Percival Landing.  The vintage and working tugs will also be at the docks at Percival … (2 comments)

family activities: Sand in the City was a Blast!! - 08/23/09 04:55 PM
I got to enjoy this year's Sand in the City in Olympia with my son and my little 2 year old granddaughter - & what fun it was!  The sand sculptures are just amazing - so much detail and very witty besides!
 
Everything from scenes out of Madagascar and Ice Age to tugboat eating crabs!

Watching the master sculptors at work was fascinating, too, as they meticulously added detail to their work.

And besides lots of music to enjoy, the Hands on Children's Museum had plenty of craft tables to entice children to make a mosaic necklace or … (4 comments)

family activities: Sand in the City in Olympia This Weekend! - 08/21/09 07:27 PM
Olympia's 9th annual Sand in the City event is this weekend!  Teams sculpt absolutely amazing creations out of sand, all ready to view in the Port Plaza along Budd Inlet.  If you enjoyed building sand castles as a child, you will wonder how in the world these elaborate sand sculptures are done! 
On Saturday (8/22) from 10 AM til 7 PM you can tour the sculptures and vote for your favorite.  There will also be live music, activities and crafts galore for kids including giant sandboxes for them to play in!  Then on Sunday from 10 AM til 4 PM it is grandparents day … (0 comments)

family activities: Olympia's Pet Parade! - 08/12/09 05:58 PM
If you love to see cute pets, cute kids and creative costumes on both, as well as decorated bikes, trikes and wagons - you will LOVE Olympia's annual pet parade happening this coming Saturday!  And if you have a cute kid (with or without a cute pet), it is not too late to plan to participate in the parade.
This is the 80th Pet Parade and it is a very cool community event, now sponsored by The Olympian newspaper.  Participants don't need to pre-register but should gather in Heritage Park downtown by Capitol Lake for judging between 8:30 and 9:45 before the parade … (2 comments)

family activities: Thurston County Fair - "Alpaca Some Fun" - 07/26/09 01:50 PM
Come see animals from pigs, sheep, chickens, horses and cows to dogs, cats, rabbits - & oh yes, alpacas!  4-H kids will have their animals on display and there is a petting farm too.  And the fair is not just animals - take in exhibits of photography or quilts or the very best homemade pies! 
Thurston County Fair has been coming around each year since 1871 - and this year it will be running from July 29-August 2nd.  Hours are 10-10 Wed - Sat. and 10-8 on Sunday.  The fairgrounds are at 3054 Carpenter Rd SE and if you don't want to try … (0 comments)

family activities: Free Community Events in Lacey! - 07/21/09 02:43 PM
If you are looking for some free entertainment this summer, come check out what Lacey has to offer!  Lacey's Parks Department (www.ci.lacey.wa.us)  is sponsoring a series of children's entertainment, lunch time musical concerts in the park, games shows based on TV games shows, and outdoor movies under the stars!
Remaining childrens' entertainment includes Shakespeare in the Park today (7/21), Henrik Bothe on the 28th, Angel Ocasio on Aug 4th & Recess Monkey Aug. 11th - these are all at 6:30 PM in Huntamer Park (corner of 7th Ave & Woodland Square Lp) in Lacey.
The lunchtime music is noon til 1:00 … (2 comments)

family activities: Parade & Fireworks in Tumwater for the 4th! - 07/02/09 02:53 PM
Don't miss the cool upcoming 4th of July celebration in Tumwater!  It starts off with a big parade at 11 AM on July 4th - parade starts at the corner of Capitol Blvd and Lee St & continues to right by City Hall on Israel Rd.  This year the theme for the parade is "Everyday Superheroes" & expect to see classic cars, dance teams, horses & more.
Later in the day (starting at 6 PM) is the Tumwater Artesian Festival & big fireworks show!  These are sponsored by the Tumwater Downtown Association & admission is free!  The event is held at … (0 comments)

family activities: Olympia Dixieland Jazz Festival - 06/17/09 03:54 PM
If Dixieland jazz music gets your toes tapping and makes you want to get up and dance - there is quite a treat in store for you soon!  The 19th annual America's Dixieland Jazz Festival is right around the corner!  Amazing music from jazz bands from around the country will be happening June 25-June 28th at St Martin's University in Lacey.
You can check out www.olyjazz.com for complete schedules, list of participating bands, ticket info, driving directions and more.
Come celebrate summer with some great music - an entertaining time for all ages!! 
… (0 comments)

family activities: Lacey Rotary 20th Duck Dash - 06/08/09 02:14 PM
This past Saturday we went to the Lacey Rotary Duck Dash in Tumwater Falls Park & it was a blast!  I'm not sure how we managed to have not gone before this year since this is the 20th year it has been held, but I'm glad we got there finally this time.  Our almost 2 year old granddaughter thought it was a great idea right from the time we parked and rode on the shuttle bus to the event (actually she has been wanting to ride the bus again ever since!).

The park had games, a giant slide, face painting, … (3 comments)

family activities: Olympia Area Favorites - Burfoot Park - 05/26/09 06:51 PM
Burfoot Park is a county park in Olympia that is a wonderful place for family fun, with a big grassy area to picnic or play in the grass, playground equipment for the kids, and then you can go exploring down the wooded trails that lead to the saltwater beach. 

We were lucky enough to go check it out recently while there was an extremely low tide and so there was LOTS of beach to walk and amazing sea creatures to encounter!

Very educational encounters with crabs, seaweed, pretty shells, & the gorgeous backdrop of gentle waves rolling in and sailboats … (1 comments)

family activities: Olympia's Procession of Species was Awesome!! - 04/26/09 02:42 PM
The cloudy skies let a little sunshine break thru just in time for the Procession of the Species to begin yesterday.  Children (and adults) had been amusing themselves by coloring in the streets with lots of chalk provided for that purpose, an impromptu chorus of "Do a Deer..." from Sound of Music got much of the crowd at one corner singing along, bubbles floated thru the air - and the Procession began!
 

From the vantage point of my little granddaughter  (on daddy's shoulders) it was an amazing display - we saw lions and tigers and bears - oh my!  … (2 comments)

family activities: Procession of the Species - as Unique as Olympia! - 04/18/09 11:20 AM
Next weekend is Olympia's annual Procession of the Species www.procession.org  (April 25th at 4:30 PM) in downtown Olympia - and you really just have to see it - words or even pictures can't adequately capture this tribute to the natural world.  You will see adults, children, groups of people all decked out in elaborate or simple costumes representing everything from the wind to a butterfly and from a tree to a herd of deer prancing down the city streets.  Some participants spend much of the winter creating their costumes or masks to join in this celebration of spring & life and creativity.  You … (0 comments)

family activities: Weekly Update on Olympia Farmer's Market Goodies! - 04/17/09 04:39 PM
 
 
 
 
 
This spring's chilly weather still has Farmer's Market produce coming in a little behind the schedule of some years, but coming in it is!  And of course, all of the other goodies from baked goods to eggs to fancy chocolates or Chehalis Mints to sausage and other meats to locally organically raised chickens to oysters are all there ready for hungry shoppers.
The stands of plants are doing well with so many of us just itching to get out in our gardens and start planting some colorful flowers or some veggies.  The tomato plants are at a couple … (0 comments)

family activities: Olympia Farmer's Market Opening Weekend - 04/06/09 03:09 PM
 
It was so nice to get back down to the Olympia Farmer's Market this past weekend - in the sunshine no less!  It was opening weekend, so lots of people showed up eager to see what was ready at the various booths.
The spring weather has not exactly cooperated well to give farmers an early start, but there was some yummy fruit to choose from at a couple of booths.  Also potatoes, salad makings, and then meat, seafood, cheese to choose from too.
 

Also lots of plants, both flower and veggie variety, for those of us itching to … (0 comments)

family activities: Olympia Area Favorites - Gym Jam (Lacey Parks) - 03/28/09 04:37 PM
If you  have any toddlers in your family, check out the Gym Jam program offered through Lacey Parks Department!  I got to go visit last week while my granddaughter (19 months old) enjoyed activities, play time with other kids her age & provided grandma with lots of "photo opportunities"!
Gym jam is well organized to keep the kids moving between play time on the mats, slide, crawl thru tunnel, riding toys, "bus" to go inside and regular learning activities.  They sang and acted out songs like "Itsy Bitsy Spider" (remember that one??) and "If You're Happy and You Know it ..."; … (0 comments)

family activities: Capital Food & Wine Festival - 20th Anniversary Year! - 03/15/09 03:19 PM
Coming soon will be the 20th annual Capital Food and Wine Festival at St. Martin's University in Lacey!  This event will be going on March 28th from noon - 10 PM & will be featuring yummy food, wine and microbrews to sample.  The event is in the Marcus Pavilion and the Worthington Center at St. Martin's University - & what a great place to enjoy chatting with old friends while you try some of the best food and drink offered, as well as live entertainment all day. 
The wine will include offerings from many regional vintners, the microbreweries will bring their … (0 comments)

family activities: Olympia Area Favorites - Tumwater Falls Park - 03/11/09 02:47 PM
My Part 5 favorite is actually located in Tumwater, not Olympia - but Tumwater Falls Park is a popular destination for the entire greater Olympia area.  For over 45 years the park has been open to the public, giving visitors a close-up look at the natural beauty of the Deschutes River and Tumwater Falls.  The park is privately owned by the Olympia Tumwater Foundation (www.olytumfoundation.org)  and preserves a site of historic significance for our region.

Historic records show the area was used as a fishing & food gathering camp for the Coastal Salish Indians, and then became the 1st permanent American … (0 comments)

family activities: Olympia Area Favorites - Waterfront Boardwalk - 02/22/09 06:58 PM
Hanging out down along the waterfront boardwalk in Olympia offers quirky sculptures, lots of boats, views of the Capitol dome as well as the Olympic Mountains - & it is walking distance to a number of restaurants as well as Farmer's Market.

The Kissing Couple sculpture is a favorite place to take a photo, or even surprise your sweetie with a marriage proposal.

You can dream about owning a sailboat or check out whether there are any big ships in loading up at the port.
 

You can also walk over to the interactive fountain plaza that in warm … (1 comments)

family activities: Olympia Area Favorites - Mud Flats at Mud Bay - 02/17/09 04:13 PM
Mud Bay is a fascinating area west of Olympia where Eld Inlet dwindles to what are, essentially, mud flats when the tide is out.  Highway 101 dips down through this area and always gives you an easy look at whether the tides are in or out as you drive along. 

The book The Highest Tide by Jim Lynch is one of my favorites - it is a cool story, but also an absolutely amazing description of Mud Bay!  There are sprinkled references to so many Olympia area things and people that it is especially fun to read for those of … (1 comments)

family activities: Olympia Area Favorites - Budd Bay Cafe - 02/16/09 07:36 PM
Every year our local newspaper, The Olympian, has a reader voting contest to determine the best of any number of categories from Italian restaurant to place to take children & from best place to go on an inexpensive date to best auto mechanic shop.   So I am starting my own series of my favorite things in the Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater area in a variety of categories.  I would love your feedback about your own favorites!
Part 1 is my favorite restaurant for a seafood dinner or a Sunday brunch - Budd Bay Cafe in downtown Olympia

(www.BuddBayCafe.com).  It is located right … (0 comments)

 
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Nancy Conner - Olympia/Thurston County WA

Olympia, WA

More about me…

Managing Broker - City Realty Inc

Address: 1800 Cooper Pt Rd SW, Bldg #12, Olympia, WA, 98502

Office Phone: (360) 350-0251

Cell Phone: (360) 701-1086

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A blog about community events in the Olympia/Thurston County area including the real estate market in those communities.
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