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Posted in News by Mathias Eichler on July 14, 2010
Lakefair Kickoff today

The annual Summer event that everyone loves to hate is here.  Someone on facebook posted: “Lakefair is when Lacey comes to Downtown”, but I have the sneaky suspicion that Olympians actually love this event. They might not be able to say it out loud, because it’s not considered cool to like deep-fried carbs and carni rides; watch your carbon footprint, my friend.

But in the end, it’s all good. Lakefair is in town, the sun is out and it’s okay to allow yourself to be seen among the everyday folks.

Also: Downtown Businesses invite you to explore Downtown even more and come and shop the amazing Summer Sidewalk Sale.

So, send moral high ground and conviction on vacation and enjoy a burger, an elephant ear and put your kid on the ferries wheel – she won’t need therapy because of it.

Click the Lakefair logo for a link to a program guide for the next few days.

  • Laurian
    Love and hate it. Living a block away is trying. 5 days of no parking, shrieking and/or smoking teenagers, drunk frat boys, and the loss of what is my back yard.

    On the up side scantily clad women, great musical acts on the main stage, smiling kids, fund raising for local non-profits and capped off by Olympia's strange, stubborn insistence of hosting fireworks two weeks late.
  • Rodney
    You know who loves Lakefair are people who grew up in Olympia. You know, Olympians (including Lacey, Tumwater). If you didn't go to the Lakefair parade when you were a kid and wave an AMERICAN flag, you might not understand the appeal. But Lakefair is a celebration of America and its freedoms. I wish we could bring back the swimming part of Lakefair which made it more fun. I remember the Coronation ceremonies on the dock of the swimming area, and how everyone would crowd around on the ridiculously small basketball court and under the outdoor shower to watch which local high school girl would be crowned Lakefair Queen. This aspect of lakefair seems to have faded slightly since those days. Somehow, doing it on the lake and having it broadcast live on the radio gave it a special quality. I could go on and on about fireworks, parades, carnival rides memories but agreed the perception of Lakefair could use an upgrade. Maybe downtown and Lakefair could work together on their perception problems. Lakefair is a chance for downtown to shine and show outsiders what Downtown has to offer. It gets them comfortable with downtown and familiar with downtown. So, don't underestimate the affect Lakefair has on Downtown Olympia. If I owned a downtown business even though it takes away a weeks worth of business from restaurants, it can benefit downtown.
  • Emmett O'Connell
    I live Olympia, I was born here and only pass through Lacey when I need to.

    I

    LOVE

    LAKEFAIR.

    Hate the lake, love the fair.
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