Three local acts will fill Sylvester Park with samba drums, barbershop harmonies, and concert band brass July 8, when downtown Olympia's Music in the Park series opens its 45th season with "Oly Family Fun Night."

The free evening runs 6 to 8 p.m. at the park, located at Capitol Way and Legion Way (615 Washington Street SE). No tickets required.

Samba Olywa takes the stage at 6 p.m. The amateur percussion and dance group has been a fixture of Olympia's arts scene since 1995, when Evergreen State College faculty member Terry Setter launched it with Brazilian instruments acquired through a "Points of Light" grant.

The ensemble grew out of the Procession of the Species and is still run entirely by volunteers, with David Moseley as drum chair and Addison Appleby and Erin Gollehon leading dance.

Voices of the Sound follows at 6:20 p.m. Led by Artistic Director Ted Chamberlain, the all-voices barbershop chorus rehearses Monday nights at First Baptist Church on Washington Street and bills itself as Olympia's inclusive close-harmony ensemble.

The American Legion Band closes the night at 7 p.m. Formed in 1924 by World War I veterans at Olympia's Alfred William Leach Post No. 3, the 30-member concert band bills itself as the oldest state-level American Legion band in the country. Members range in age from 15 to about 80 and travel from across the region for weekly rehearsals at St. Martin's University.

"My goal, as musical director, is to make the Legion Band the 'Boston Pops' of the Puget Sound region," Kevin Robertson, the band's director, told The Jolt News. "Fun, 'pseudo-classical' in terms of ensemble, music that people can relate to and connect with easily."

The Olympia Downtown Alliance, which organizes the series, added roving performers throughout each event for 2026. A new partnership with the City of Olympia also brings opening sets spotlighting local talent and community groups, the Alliance told ThurstonTalk.

Food vendors may include Sofie's Scoops, Lolli Llama Candy Company, and Batdorf & Bronson Legacy Cafe; the Olympia Downtown Alliance said the lineup is still being finalized. Organizers also encourage attendees to grab takeout from nearby downtown restaurants.

Music in the Park continues over three more Wednesdays in July: "Punk Power" on July 15 and "Next Gen Talent" on July 22, both at Sylvester Park, then the "Indie-Americana Finale" on July 29 at Port Plaza.

The series is presented by Olympia Federal Savings with support from the City of Olympia and the Port of Olympia. Casey Kilborn, OlyFed's chief relationship officer, said the credit union has backed the concerts for more than 40 years.

Show up early for a good spot on the grass.