Capital Lakefair wraps up at Heritage Park

Capital Lakefair wrapped up its 68th annual festival with a fireworks show over Capitol Lake that wowed thousands of onlookers from a variety of vantage points in Olympia on Sunday, July 20.

The fireworks show launched after five days of fair-goers feasting on food, listening to music, taking in a parade and enjoying numerous rides at Heritage Park.

For some people, coming to Lakefair has been a tradition that they have been doing since they were kids. Other people attended their first festival this year. 

Chris Lockhart and Samira Kamau attended Lakefair together on Saturday, July 19. Lockhart grew up in Olympia, and said that he had good memories of watching the parade in high school. Kamau is from Kenya, and was attending for the first time.  

“It’s very different,” Kamua said. “We don’t have stuff like this in Kenya.”

She added that she was especially  looking forward to the parade, after hearing Lockhart talk so highly of it. 

The Apple Blossom Festival float makes its way along 5th Avenue in downtown Olympia during the Lakefair Grand Parade on Saturday, July 19, 2025.

Wyatt Haupt Jr. | The JOLT News

The parade, which started at about 5 p.m. on Saturday, started at Capitol Way and 20th Avenue, then made its way into downtown Olympia and ended near the 5th Avenue bridge.

There were dozens of craft vendor booths at the festival selling handmade goods made by different local artists. 

Talitha Cooper was at Lakefair with her business Electroformed Elegance, which specializes in electroformed jewelry, crystals and permanent jewelry.

Growing up coming to Lakefair, she said this year was special getting to come as a vendor. 

“I’m from McCleary, and I have been coming to Lakefair for my whole life growing up,” Cooper said. “When I started doing my business, I just really wanted to be able to interact with my community.”  

Cooper said this year some of the highlights of Lakefair were getting to see people she knew, making new friends, and having a booth right next to the lake, where she had a “wonderful” view of the fireworks.  

A military marching band makes its way down 5th Avenue in downtown Olympia during the Lakefair Grand Parade on Saturday, July 19, 2025.

Wyatt Haupt Jr. | The JOLT News

Another Lakefair veteran was Melissa Voss, who was there with her business Missy’s Misfits, which sells handmade stuffed animals. 

“I tried coming to Lakefair last year, and it was a lot of fun,” Voss said. “I thought I would come back and see how it goes, and it has been really fun.” 

Chelsie Schlkuderaff checks in with her family after successfully completing the half-marathon, as part of the Olympia Lakefair Races in downtown Olympia on Saturday, July 19, 2025. “This is the third time I’ve run the race,” she said, “and this is a great event.”

JM SIMPSON | The JOLT News

The five-day event also featured the Olympia Lakefair Races in downtown Olympia on Saturday, July 19.

The races, which were organized by the Olympia Downtown Rotary Club and Lake Run Organization, consisted of a half-marathon, an 8K and 3K. Hundreds of runners participated in the races.

This year, the half-marathon was renamed the “Jerry Miller Half Marathon” after former Capital High School boys cross-country and track and field coach, who helped lead the Olympia Lakefair Races for several years.  

Ginger Stevick, 11, crossed the finish line after finishing the 3K race, as part of the Olympia Lakefair Races in downtown Olympia on Saturday, July 19, 2025. “It was a lot of fun,” she said.

JM SIMPSON | The JOLT News

Last year, the race raised money for the American Parkinson’s Disease Association as a tribute to Miller, who has been stricken with the disease.

All funds raised from the races will be donated to The Rotary Club of Olympia, as well as local public high school’s track and cross-country programs.

Karen Adams-Griggs, Co-President of Capital Lakefair, stands next to the event’s T-shirt in downtown Olympia on Saturday, July 19, 2025. The logo on the shirt was designed by Jade Candelaria — one of Adams-Griggs’ students — of Avanti High School. “Lakefair is for the community,” explained Adams-Griggs, “and some of the money raised here goes directly back into the community.” She …

JM SIMPSON | The JOLT News