Good morning, Olympia.

Thurston County will host many Easter egg hunts in April—events include a teen glow hunt on April 4 at Cochrane Memorial Park, an adult nighttime hunt on April 5, a free hunt by the McLane Black Lake Fire Department in Olympia on April 12, and several other family-friendly events in Tumwater, Yelm and beyond that may require tickets or pre-registration. These activities use plastic eggs filled with treats to offer fun for kids, teens, adults and even pets.

The Olympia Farmers Market will begin its High Season on April 3 with regular hours (10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) and fresh produce, baked goods, and artisan products as it marks its 50th birthday.

Shoppers will enjoy Senior Thursday discounts, cooking demos, and free raffles as special events are planned throughout the season.

On March 15th, 1959, a runaway train crashed at Adams Street in Olympia, killing a telegraph operator and demolishing most of the block.

Since then, key sites have been repurposed for new uses and there are no current plans to restore train service + residents face a three-hour walk to the nearest station.

The Olympia School District will begin migrating to the new Skyward Qmlativ system in July to manage grading, attendance, payroll and more.

District officials say all staff will be trained before the 2025-26 school year begins—constituents will receive timeline updates as the migration progresses.

Starting on April 18, a mobile hygiene program called Shower Power Plus will park its trailer at the Olympia Union Gospel Mission every Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Run with Nurture Hope and funded by Thurston County, the program will offer showers, clean clothes, meals, and hygiene kits to unhoused residents — it has delivered over 3,500 showers since July 2020.

State lawmakers have proposed a gas tax to cover a multi-billion dollar budget deficit—this measure could raise fuel prices at the pump.

Lawmakers are set to debate the proposal in the upcoming legislative session.

On Tuesday, March 25, the Olympia City Council appointed 19 people to fill advisory board vacancies after interviewing 32 candidates over two days and honored 21 outgoing volunteers for their service—expanding community input on issues from arts to public safety.

Council member Yen Huynh and Mayor Dontae Payne thanked the appointees and departing members as they worked to strengthen local advisory groups.

Thurston County Emergency Management and Bloodworks Northwest are hosting a blood drive on Friday, April 4 at 10 a.m. at the Thurston County Atrium Building, The Boardroom, 3000 Pacific Ave. SE in Olympia—donations will support residents with urgent needs.

Knife Throwing 101

Dabble.co is launching in Olympia for anyone looking to promote their local class or workshop. Come learn knife throwing with a local expert!

Electric Sweats Concert

9 PM – 1 AM — Mc Coy's Tavern — Cost TBA — Experience the energetic blend of down-tuned metal and punk rock from Olympia's own Electric Sweats.

Step Afrika! Performance

7:30-9:30 p.m. — Washington Center for the Performing Arts — Tickets available — Experience the vibrant blend of African dance styles and storytelling that will leave your heart pounding.

IPC Trekkers at Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually Wildlife Refuge

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. — Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge — Free entry — Explore diverse habitats at a stunning wildlife refuge in Olympia.

Narcotics Anonymous Weekly Meeting

8:00 PM — 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW — Free — Attend a supportive gathering focused on recovery and overcoming drug addiction.

Thurston County Master Gardener Foundation 2025 Plant Sale

4-8 p.m. — Nursery at 530 Alta St SW — Free entry — Explore a variety of beautiful plants cultivated by local Master Gardeners.

Comedy Underground Featuring Rodger Lizaola

7:30-9:30 p.m. — Washington Center for the Performing Arts — $36 Reserved Table, $28 General Admission — Enjoy a night of laughs with a talented comedian known for his high-profile achievements in comedy.

Encanto Sing Along Experience

7:00-8:30 p.m. — Washington Center for the Performing Arts — $12 Adult, $10 Youth — Sing along to your favorite Encanto songs while enjoying the movie on the big screen.