Ready to celebrate cooler temperatures? Here are outdoor events to catch this weekend

Molly Gilmore
·2 min read

Grab a cold one

Thirsty for a cold beer — or cider, or mead — in the wake of the heat wave? The Tumwater Artesian Brewfest, happening Saturday, Aug. 19, might be just what you’re craving. The festival offers more than 100 beverages, including spirits, plus a stein-holding competition (it’s harder than it looks), games and foods ranging from shawarma to sushi burritos. The folks at the fest think of it as a backyard party with thousands of friends. But how many backyard parties feature tunes by an award-winning Tom Petty cover band? This one does. Portland’s Petty Fever will be on hand playing four decades of the late singer/songwriter/guitarist’s material. The fest runs from 1 to 8 p.m. at Tumwater Valley Golf Course, 4611 Tumwater Valley Drive SE. Tickets are $30 in advance (until 12:30 p.m. Aug. 19) or $33 at the door, and include five tastes. Designated drivers are admitted for $10.

The Tumwater Artesian Brewfest draws crowds with bands — such as the Low Wires, who played in 2022 — and beverages from more than 40 breweries, cideries and distilleries.
The Tumwater Artesian Brewfest draws crowds with bands — such as the Low Wires, who played in 2022 — and beverages from more than 40 breweries, cideries and distilleries.

Bubble, bubble

The WET Science Center will celebrate the art and science of bubbles on Friday, Aug. 18, with free hands-on activities in the East Bay Public Plaza. Kids can try making extra-large bubbles, bubbles that can be touched without popping and even square bubbles. Center educators will be leading the pop-up fun from noon to 3 p.m. in the plaza, 325 Marine Drive NE, Olympia. The plaza’s splash stream will be open, too.

The WET Science Center will celebrate the art and science of bubbles on Friday, Aug. 18, with free hands-on activities in the East Bay Public Plaza.
The WET Science Center will celebrate the art and science of bubbles on Friday, Aug. 18, with free hands-on activities in the East Bay Public Plaza.

Fine fair

The latest opportunity for fair fun is this week’s Southwest Washington Fair, happening Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 17-20. It has everything you’d expect from a fair: animals, rides, displays, kids activities and lots of food that’s fried and/or composed mostly of sugar — and concerts, including one with rocking AC/DC tribute band Hell’s Belles, who’ll play at 8:30 p.m. Saturday. It also has a Destruction Derby (1 p.m. Sunday) and a mullet contest (4 p.m. Saturday). Tickets are $5-$12. The fair is 1909 S. Gold St., Centralia.

Seattle-based all-female AC/DC tribute band Hell’s Belles, a hit last time they played the Southwest Washington Fair, are back Saturday, Aug. 19.
Seattle-based all-female AC/DC tribute band Hell’s Belles, a hit last time they played the Southwest Washington Fair, are back Saturday, Aug. 19.

Freelance writer Molly Gilmore wonders where all the winefests are. She talks about what’s happening in Olympia and beyond with 95.3 KGY-FM’s Michael Stein from 3 to 4 p.m. Fridays.