Harbor Days returns to Percival Landing on Friday, Sept. 4, with three days of vintage tugboat races, live music and 300-plus activities along Olympia's waterfront.
The festival runs through Sunday, Sept. 6.
Then on Monday, Sept. 7, the second annual Olympia Porch Fest will spread live music across Northeast Olympia porches and yards from noon to 7 p.m.
Both events are free.
Harbor Days: Friday through Sunday
The Harbor Days festival draws more than 55,000 visitors each year, according to the event's website. The South Sound Maritime Heritage Association (SSMHA), which has supported the region's maritime history since 1974, hosts the event.
Megan Diment leads the festival as executive director after taking over from Carol Riley, who held the role for nine years.
Hours are 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
The centerpiece is the World's Largest Vintage Tugboat Races. Owners bring their boats to Olympia each Labor Day weekend to race in Budd Bay, and visitors can walk aboard the tugs at the docks.
Tall ships, steamships, tribal canoes and other historic watercraft will also be on display. Harbor cruises on Budd Bay are available.
On land, the boardwalk lineup includes dancing pirates, bagpipers, sand carving, tribal cultural sharings, a LEGO Harbor Build and Bob Peck's hand-built mini tugs at the Percival Landing Park pavilion.
A Zumba session runs 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, according to Oly Arts columnist Molly Gilmore.
"People love their free festivals, especially if there are lots of vendors selling both food and a wide array of stuff," Gilmore wrote.
Free parking is available at Market Street and Marine Drive, provided by the Port of Olympia. Intercity Transit also serves the area.
The SSMHA recently installed the 1906 tugboat Parthia near the Olympia Farmers Market as a permanent educational exhibit. The boat worked as a harbor tug in Olympia for 35 years.
Former SSMHA President Chuck Fowler, a maritime historian, said in August when the tugboat was placed at its new home that the project reflected years of community effort.
"It's really gratifying to see all the people who've been involved and who are interested in preserving a tug," Fowler told The Olympian.
Porch Fest: Monday afternoon
The second annual Olympia Porch Fest takes over Northeast Olympia on Monday, Sept. 7, from noon to 7 p.m. The all-volunteer event, inspired by but not held on the national Play Music on the Porch Day, spreads more than 40 acts across porches and yards near Roosevelt Elementary School at 1417 San Francisco Ave. NE.
The Sticks & Bones Marching Band kicks things off. Other performers include Kendl Winter, Oh Rose, Nomy Lamm & Erin Daly, the Olympia Jamgrass Collective and The Cold Sweats.
A comedy corner hosted by Sam Miller and Pam Margon features mature content, and ISM presents an experimental music showcase.
Local vendors, coordinated by PNW Market Events, will be on-site. Donations to performers are encouraged. Free Music Olympia, Capital City Pride and CapCity Presents support the event.
Free maps will be available at the Roosevelt Elementary parking lot, with the fest boundaries running from Miller to Bigelow and Marion to Quince.
