This calendar is the place to find fun events happening throughout Grays Harbor County including Aberdeen, Hoquiam, Westport, Ocean Shores, Elma, Montesano and beyond.
Have an event that isn’t listed? Please email events@GraysHarborTalk.com with the following information:
- Name of Event
- Date, time and location (name of business if applicable and complete address)
- Organizer(s) name
- Cost
- URL to purchase tickets
- Website URL
- SHORT description of event
- Photo
Our editors will review and post within a few business days.
A One-Man Wood Art Exposition by Tom Baker, woodturner. Meet the artist at this Opening Reception on Saturday, June 3rd from 11 am to 4 pm. Food and refreshments will be available!
The Fire Rescue Spectacular, July 8, is the ultimate firefighter and first-responder experience for kids! At the free street fair kids can explore a fleet of emergency vehicles, meet first responders, take the Junior Fighter Challenge, enjoy free ice cream, and so much more!
Presented by Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Network in partnership with Olympia Fire Dept., and thanks to Access Partner Macy’s.
Free Street Fair Activities
• Explore Olympia’s fleet of emergency vehicles and meet first responders
• Meet Sparky the Fire Dog & Smokey the Bear
• See vintage fire trucks
• Experience the Spray Gallery
• Take the Junior Firefighter Challenge
• Enjoy special activities, festival food & free ice cream and popsicles
Inside the Museum
• See wacky Dr. Science demos
• Make an emergency candle or fire starter
• Learn how to start a campfire
• Explore first aid techniques
• Rescue toy animals from ice
All activities on the street are free to the public. Special activities in the Museum are free with admission – online reservations recommended.
FREE Family Event!
We have all witnessed or experienced a time where we have been underprepared for any emergency situation. Please join us Saturday, July 22nd for the annual Emergency Preparedness EXPO where you can learn how to better prepare yourself and family for the next unexpected emergency or learn about local hazards.
Come dunk your favorite Law and Fire Personnel! Enter a Bike Rodeo! FREE Raffle! Go-Bag Scavenger Hunt! Get up close to Emergency Response Vehicles and meet your local first responders! Over 40 vendors and much more!!
Meet the raptor ambassadors and learn about prey and predators with The Falconer!
Free with admission or membership. Online reservations recommended.
Sponsored by Small to Tall Pediatric Dentistry
Feel the beat and join the rhythm of an African drumming circle with Javoen Byrd and Awodi Drumming. 5 musical educators will be on hand with 50 drums to take kids on a powerful musical journey through indigenous West African and African American music.
Free with admission or membership. Online reservations recommended.
Visiting Artists Series in partnership with National Endowment for the Arts and sponsored by the City of Olympia
Feel the beat and join the rhythm of an African drumming circle with Javoen Byrd and Awodi Drumming. 5 musical educators will be on hand with 50 drums to take kids on a powerful musical journey through indigenous West African and African American music.
Free with admission or membership. Online reservations recommended.
Visiting Artists Series in partnership with National Endowment for the Arts and sponsored by the City of Olympia
Learn about bees and their vital role in our ecosystem with the Olympia Beekeepers Association and their observation hive!
Free with admission or membership. Online reservations recommended.
Sponsored by Small to Tall Pediatric Dentistry
Feel the beat and join the rhythm of an African drumming circle with Javoen Byrd and Awodi Drumming. 5 musical educators will be on hand with 50 drums to take kids on a powerful musical journey through indigenous West African and African American music.
Free with admission or membership. Online reservations recommended.
Visiting Artists Series in partnership with National Endowment for the Arts and sponsored by the City of Olympia
Meet the raptor ambassadors and learn about prey and predators with The Falconer!
Free with admission or membership. Online reservations recommended.
Sponsored by Small to Tall Pediatric Dentistry
The FOSLS LAKE SYLVIA STATE PARK FALL FESTIVAL continues the tradition for our 12th year!
Come join us on SUNDAY, September 10th, 2023 from 8:30 – 4:00 for a day filled with fun and family activities.
If you enjoy running we have trail Races that begin at 8:30 am. From 10 – 4, you can find one of a kind art and hand crafted treasures at the Artisans Market and eat delicious food while enjoying great live music by talented local acts all on the peaceful shores of beautiful Lake Sylvia. There will also be a kayak paddling adventure, a Watershed Festival by the GH Stream Team, Galaxy Harbor Dancers and educational exhibits in the Legacy Pavilion. You can decorate a pumpkin or take a group photo in our photo booth and we will have kids activities as well.
Park for free at Simpson School (519 Simpson Ave W, Montesano WA), and take a free shuttle to the Festival. Parking inside the park is limited and requires a Discover Pass. Free Disabled Parking is available inside the park. Watch our facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LakeSylviaStateParkFallFestival for up to date information, applications, and schedules.
Out and Proud Grays Harbor Coalition is super excited to present our 10th amazing Pride Festival! We hope that you will join us in person, as we welcome you aboard The Love Boat!
Grays Harbor Pride kicks off on Friday, September 22 with a free/pay what you can all ages dance, Pride Prom 2023, at Events on Emerson in Hoquiam.
On Saturday, September 23, Grays Harbor Pride Festival starts at 1 pm at the Historical Seaport with free, family friendly activities, vendors, music, and entertainment. There will also be tours available on the Tall Ship Lady Washington.
This year, we will be hosting a concert by an iconic multi-platinum artist, Mary Lambert. That’s right! Mary Lambert will be putting on a free show at Grays Harbor Pride 2023! Everyone will be talking about this.
At 7:00 pm, stay for the free nighttime Drag Show event, hosted by Seattle’s Premier Drag King, Ceasar Heart! Amazing performers come from all over Washington to support our local LGBTQIA+ community. You won’t want to miss this!
Out and Proud Grays Harbor Coalition is super excited to present our 10th amazing Pride Festival! We hope that you will join us in person, as we welcome you aboard The Love Boat!
Grays Harbor Pride kicks off on Friday, September 22 with a free/pay what you can all ages dance, Pride Prom 2023, at Events on Emerson in Hoquiam.
On Saturday, September 23, Grays Harbor Pride Festival starts at 1 pm at the Historical Seaport with free, family friendly activities, vendors, music, and entertainment. There will also be tours available on the Tall Ship Lady Washington.
This year, we will be hosting a concert by an iconic multi-platinum artist, Mary Lambert. That’s right! Mary Lambert will be putting on a free show at Grays Harbor Pride 2023! Everyone will be talking about this.
At 7:00 pm, stay for the free nighttime Drag Show event, hosted by Seattle’s Premier Drag King, Ceasar Heart! Amazing performers come from all over Washington to support our local LGBTQIA+ community. You won’t want to miss this!
The 9th Annual Bigfoot Brewfest is a celebration of quality craft beer, ciders and other brews from around the Pacific Northwest, with an emphasis on flavors and adventure.
Enjoy cool ocean air while you sample craft beverages from over 20 unique breweries. Listen to live music and eat delicious food while stretching your adventure muscles and trying new flavors, games and physical prowess.
Details: Food trucks are on site serving up some of the most delicious food you could hope for. Two bands are playing live, the fan favorites, Deerswerver and the Mike & Frank Duo.
1 PM VIP early entry. 2 PM GA entry. We stop pouring beer at 6 PM but you can stay and listen to music, dance, eat food from our food trucks, and drink water up until 7:30 PM. There are many options for a safe ride, BE SAFE AND DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE!
Ticket options:
VIP: You deserve the BEST! Get in an hour early with special access to our VIP Only Lounge area sponsored by Frontager’s Pizza. Includes four drink tickets, access to two exclusive taps, lounge seating, Club Social bar & menu, private bathrooms, dedicated staff, and more! Collect your free commemorative pint glass at the end of your night. 21+ ONLY. ($120)
VIP + Seafood Boil: Get in an hour early with special access to our VIP Only Lounge area sponsored by Frontager’s Pizza. Includes four drink tickets, access to two exclusive taps, lounge seating, Club Social bar & menu, private bathrooms, dedicated staff, and more! This ticket also includes our limited availability Seafood Boil that pairs nicely with your VIP Bigfoot experience. Collect your free commemorative pint glass at the end of your night. 21+ ONLY. ($170)
V IP Designated Driver: Get in an hour early with special access to our VIP Only Lounge area sponsored by Frontager’s Pizza. Includes a refillable water bottle that can be filled in the event and TWO non-alcoholic drink tickets, lounge seating, Club Social bar & menu, private bathrooms, dedicated staff, and more! Be the responsible one and get your group home safely. Other zero alcohol beverage options like kombucha and soda samples will be available at the different vendors. 21+ ONLY. ($75)
General Admission: Includes four drink tickets, 4+ hours of craft beer, great music, games, and good people. 21+ ONLY. ($65)
Designated Driver: Come with your friends and enjoy the music and good times but no alcoholic beverages for a reduced rate. Comes with a refillable water bottle that can be filled in the event and two non-alcoholic drink tickets. Be the responsible one and get your group home safely. Other zero alcohol beverage options like kombucha and soda samples will be available at the different vendors. 21+ ONLY. ($25)
* Additional drink tickets available for purchase on site only.
*This outdoor summer event will not disappoint! Rain or Shine.
*No Refunds, tickets are transferable.
*Everyone must be 21 and over. No infants or toddlers will be admitted. No Pets allowed inside.
CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT
Register your team of TWO today to play in the Bigfoot Cornhole Tournament! 1st place team wins a $500 gift certificate to Seabrook Hospitality. Only $20 to register your two-person team for this fun event! Registration and practice time will be 2:00-3:00 PM the day of the event. The tournament starts at 3 PM. Ticket sales for the cornhole tournament end at 3 PM the day of the event or Brackets until sold out, so pick your partner and mark your calendars! (All team names must be PG-13 or will be altered by hosts on game day.)
North Beach Genealogy Society invites you to join us on November 21st at 1 pm at the Ocean Shores Public Library. All levels of interest in Family History are welcome. Our November speaker will be Michael Turner, presenting “Ethnicity Estimates – Why do they mismatch our Paper Trails?”
The Harborside Chats are guided dialogues fostering civil conversation and addressing vital issues within Grays Harbor County. Our mission is to amplify diverse voices and share constructive ideas with the goal of reducing civic division and political polarization in our communities. To learn more about The Dialogue Project, please visit our website: https://www.drcghp.org/dialogue-project
Ways to Engage
Multiple Avenues, One Mission!
- Attend the Cosmopolis Chat and future guided conversations!
- Scout or sponsor event locations for upcoming dialogues!
- Volunteer as an Event Assistant!
- Donate to support the Dialogue Project!
- Amplify the project as a Dialogue Project Ambassador!
Please join us, and invite your network to this unique, innovative event designed to connect our community and collaborate on solutions for all!
Communities Thrive When Dialogue Is Alive!
Ring in the new year early at our Noon Year’s Eve Party on December 31. Celebrate with a family countdown, Times-Square style ball drop, and bubble dance party every hour from 10 am – 4 pm!
Experience the enchanting Winter Wonder Faire and discover the magical Fairy Hollow where kids can make wands, wings, and tiny things, create teacup cozy homes, investigate toadstools and fairy rings, craft a woodland crown, and even meet costumed fairy characters. Capture the magic of this special day with a family photo in our photobooth.
This is a popular one-day event, be sure to get your tickets online!
Winter Wonder Faire
• Meet costumed Tinker and Pirate Fairies and watch wacky Dr. Science experiments
• Make wands, wings, and tiny things
• Create tiny teacup cozy homes
• Silkscreen a shimmery souvenir in the printshop
• Craft a woodland crown in the Art Studio
• Skate in your socks
• Investigate toadstools and fairy rings at the Science Table
• Go on a scavenger hunt
• Snap a keepsake picture in our photobooth
Costumed Characters Provided By: Emerald Kingdom Parties
Celebrate winter at Hands On with three days of frozen fun at Ice Adventures Frosty Fables, Jan. 12-14! Explore Yeti and Bigfoot lore, meet costumed characters, use real tools to shave ice, skate in your socks, learn how to snowshoe with Olympia Mountaineers, investigate an ice cave hideout, and see exciting Dr. Science experiments with ice and fire.
Plus, special activities honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Jan. 15.
Online reservations recommended. Get your tickets online and save!
Special Guests & Activities
• Melt Arctic ice to see what’s inside
• Use real tools to shave ice
• Investigate Yeti versus Bigfoot lore and discover the differences between these large legends
• Skate indoors in your socks
• Meet and take a photo with costumed characters the Winter Queen, Summer Queen, and Ice Master from Emerald Kingdom Parties (Jan. 13-14, 10:00am-3:30pm)
• Learn how to snowshoe with Olympia Mountaineers (Jan. 13-14, 11:00am-3:00pm)
• Explore Puget Sound sea creatures and look at specimens who can tolerate the ice-cold waters with the Estuarium
• See Dr. Science experiment with setting Ice on Fire (Jan. 13-14)
• Craft your own Bigfoot or Yeti slippers
• Explore an ice cave hideout and find a Yeti
• Create an Abominable Snowman to race (Jan. 13-14)
• Silkscreen a print or special keepsake (Jan. 13-14, print a free poster or purchase and make a tote bag, apron, onesie, or t-shirt for $12.)
• Go on a scavenger hunt
• Take a picture at the photo booth (Jan. 13-14)
Winter Queen, Summer Queen, & Ice Master Costumed Characters presented by Emerald Kingdom Parties.
Snowshoeing activity presented by The Olympia Mountaineers.
Celebrate winter at Hands On with three days of frozen fun at Ice Adventures Frosty Fables, Jan. 12-14! Explore Yeti and Bigfoot lore, meet costumed characters, use real tools to shave ice, skate in your socks, learn how to snowshoe with Olympia Mountaineers, investigate an ice cave hideout, and see exciting Dr. Science experiments with ice and fire.
Plus, special activities honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Jan. 15.
Online reservations recommended. Get your tickets online and save!
Special Guests & Activities
• Melt Arctic ice to see what’s inside
• Use real tools to shave ice
• Investigate Yeti versus Bigfoot lore and discover the differences between these large legends
• Skate indoors in your socks
• Meet and take a photo with costumed characters the Winter Queen, Summer Queen, and Ice Master from Emerald Kingdom Parties (Jan. 13-14, 10:00am-3:30pm)
• Learn how to snowshoe with Olympia Mountaineers (Jan. 13-14, 11:00am-3:00pm)
• Explore Puget Sound sea creatures and look at specimens who can tolerate the ice-cold waters with the Estuarium
• See Dr. Science experiment with setting Ice on Fire (Jan. 13-14)
• Craft your own Bigfoot or Yeti slippers
• Explore an ice cave hideout and find a Yeti
• Create an Abominable Snowman to race (Jan. 13-14)
• Silkscreen a print or special keepsake (Jan. 13-14, print a free poster or purchase and make a tote bag, apron, onesie, or t-shirt for $12.)
• Go on a scavenger hunt
• Take a picture at the photo booth (Jan. 13-14)
Winter Queen, Summer Queen, & Ice Master Costumed Characters presented by Emerald Kingdom Parties.
Snowshoeing activity presented by The Olympia Mountaineers.
Celebrate winter at Hands On with three days of frozen fun at Ice Adventures Frosty Fables, Jan. 12-14! Explore Yeti and Bigfoot lore, meet costumed characters, use real tools to shave ice, skate in your socks, learn how to snowshoe with Olympia Mountaineers, investigate an ice cave hideout, and see exciting Dr. Science experiments with ice and fire.
Plus, special activities honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Jan. 15.
Online reservations recommended. Get your tickets online and save!
Special Guests & Activities
• Melt Arctic ice to see what’s inside
• Use real tools to shave ice
• Investigate Yeti versus Bigfoot lore and discover the differences between these large legends
• Skate indoors in your socks
• Meet and take a photo with costumed characters the Winter Queen, Summer Queen, and Ice Master from Emerald Kingdom Parties (Jan. 13-14, 10:00am-3:30pm)
• Learn how to snowshoe with Olympia Mountaineers (Jan. 13-14, 11:00am-3:00pm)
• Explore Puget Sound sea creatures and look at specimens who can tolerate the ice-cold waters with the Estuarium
• See Dr. Science experiment with setting Ice on Fire (Jan. 13-14)
• Craft your own Bigfoot or Yeti slippers
• Explore an ice cave hideout and find a Yeti
• Create an Abominable Snowman to race (Jan. 13-14)
• Silkscreen a print or special keepsake (Jan. 13-14, print a free poster or purchase and make a tote bag, apron, onesie, or t-shirt for $12.)
• Go on a scavenger hunt
• Take a picture at the photo booth (Jan. 13-14)
Winter Queen, Summer Queen, & Ice Master Costumed Characters presented by Emerald Kingdom Parties.
Snowshoeing activity presented by The Olympia Mountaineers.
Celebrate kindness & community! Honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with special art activities and collaborative projects, January 15th.
• Children’s book readings by Merritt D. Long, Author of My View from the Back of the Bus
• Create faux stained glass art pieces and add them to the collaborative art project
• Share your stories with bookmaking and cards
• Follow the timeline of MLK’s life
• Write notes of kindness on our helping hands yew tree
• Silkscreen a peace print
• Learn about Black History STEAM Heroes
• Enjoy a quiet and reflective reading room
Online reservations recommended. Get your tickets online and save!
We’re back from extinction and we’ve changed our name!
Join us for a Dino-mite night at our Adults Only (21+) special event! Same great fun with an all-new-name HOCM After Hours. (Move over Adult Swim!) This is the perfect time for fossils, friends, and old fashioneds! Dig up your curiosity, dust off your khakis, and shake your bones to DJ Wes Jamieson. Unearth the secrets of paleontology with fossil experts from the Fossil Team PDX. Meet birds of prey with the Raptor Ambassadors and The Falconer. Try your hand at whiskey trivia, learn about distilling and craft your own infusion. Go back in time to the dawn of the dinosaurs and make a dino egg bath bomb and create a wax fossil cast.
Check out our website for more details and activities!
In February, we promote healthy smiles by joining with our dental community to offer free dental screenings right inside the Museum! Kids can pretend to be the dentist in our Puget Sound Dental Office exhibit and meet Amazon of Olympia as Wonder Woman and as Captain Carter (see below for dates and times). From sewing a toothy pillow to exploring super-sized animal teeth (fangs and sabers of giant cats), families can enjoy fun and engaging dental health activities all month long.
• Explore the Puget Sound Dental Office in the Emergency! Gallery, open every day
• Register for a free dental screening
• Build toothbrush bots
• See some of the biggest teeth (smilodon, big cats, wildcats)
• Sew a monster mouth or tooth fairy pillow
• Explore different animal and insect teeth (herbivore, omnivore, carnivore)
• Play with electric bytes (connect circuits to power dental objects)
• Meet and get your photo taken with Amazon of Olympia (as Wonder Woman) Feb. 2, 5–7 p.m. & Feb. 24, 2–4 p.m. Amazon of Olympia (as Captain Carter) will be here Feb. 17, 2–4 p.m.
• Free Dental Screenings for kids every Saturday in Feb. from 2–4 p.m. & First Friday Night Feb. 2 from 6–8 p.m. Museum admission is also free with your screening. Reservations required. Call (360) 956-0818 ext 0. Screening Sponsor, Small to Tall Pediatric Dentistry with support from SPSCC Dental Assisting Program.
Check out our Dental Health Month page for more information and a complete list of sponsors.
