Local organizations collaborate for history, nature, art and other events 

Funeral Alternatives, the Masonic Memorial Park and Death Dancer will be holding various history, nature, art and Halloween festivities in the months ahead. 

Four selected Saturdays in July, August, September and October will feature family and kid-friendly events. 

The local events are funded by Inspire Olympia, Masonic Memorial Park and Funeral Alternatives. 

Events 

Visit Masonic Memorial Park in Olympia on Saturday, July 19, from 2-5 p.m. to learn about the history of the cemeteries in the locality, and enjoy after-event refreshments, art activities and historical documents viewing. 

“Come and share your family stories or learn more of the local knowledge of our residents,” states a news release about the events.

There will be a Nature Tour on Aug. 16, from 5 to 8 p.m., where attendees will be able to experience an optional tree bark rubbings art, kids activities and refreshments. 

“Join the walk and enjoy the nature in the cemetery. Masonic Memorial Park Operations Manager, Lindsay Andersen, will talk about the special trees in the park,” the news release states. 

On Sept. 13, from 1-4 p.m., an art-focused event will give attendees an opportunity to create headstone rubbings or sketch headstone symbols. 

Art supplies will be provided, but participants may bring their own. Another activity is to transcribe the writings in the headstones and help record who is in the cemetery. 

Halloween activities will open with Spooktacular! on Oct. 18, from 4-8 p.m. There will be a spooky walk through the cemetery with ghost stories at dusk.  

The event will include outdoor food trucks, indoor Halloween and seasonal art activities, a face painter and spooky decor vibes.