OLYMPIA HARBOR DAYS WA. SOUTH SOUND MARITIME HERITAGE ASSOCIATION, Tug Boat Races in Olympia, WA

The South Sound Maritime Heritage Association (SSMHA) will present Harbor Days Lite, a scaled-down version of its popular 48 year-old tugboat festival, on Saturday, September 4 and Sunday, September 5 at the Port of Olympia’s Port Plaza Park, according to SSMHA President Don Chalmers.  This year’s event, from 10 am to 5 pm each day, will have a smaller presence because of the COVID pandemic but will feature a few information booths, mini tug displays, a hands on LEGO Harbor Build Activity for the kids including the professional building and display of a 5’ by 4’ LEGO tugboat, a free giveaway drawing, some live music and plenty of photo ops.  This year’s event will not include any tugboat touring, tugboat races, vendor or food booths. https://www.harbordays.com/

Olympia WA, South Sound Maritime Heritage Association, 2021 Tug Boat Races Pacific Northwest Boats

The Lite event will also offer maps for the Maritime Heritage Self-Guided Tour along Olympia’s boardwalk and at home self-guided activities, historic photos and other information that will be offered at www.HarborDays.com the same weekend.  It is a continuation and expansion of last year’s limited, socially safe distanced and virtual presentation.  Organizers request all attendees to be masked for the safety of the community.

Olympia Harbor Days: Confirmed Features To See In 2021:

  • Mini tugs on Display – View four locally built 1/4 scale mini Tugs. Vote by donation for your favorite.

  • Lego Harbor Build – Bring the kids to watch LEGO professional brick layers build a 5’ by 4’ tugboat.
    Tables and bricks available for kids to build small scale tugs to add to the display.

  • Maritime Heritage Self-Guided Tour – Take a walk on the boardwalk using our printed or online map and learn about the Maritime History of Olympia.

  • Tug Parthia – Stop in at the South Sound Maritime Heritage Association information booth and learn about this new Olympia tourist attraction coming in 2022.

  • The Maritime Washington National Heritage Area – Learn about The National Parks service designation for Washington’s coastline and planning of the area by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation.

  • Live Tower Stage Performances (schedule TBA).

  • Samba Olywa Pirates – Come see and dance along with Olympia’s favorite Samba Band on the tower stage.

  • Buttons and Books – Secure your keepsakes for both 2020 and 2021 Lite events. Both years buttons are available for donation.
    Books about the maritime history of the Olympia area written by local mariners will also be available for purchase.

  • Logo Wear – can be ordered online (link TBA).

  • Photo Ops with Tuggy the Tugboat. Also find our treasure chest for tots.

  • More PLANS ARE IN THE WORKS! Watch for daily updates here or on Facebook – Olympia Harbor Days.

  • Sorry no tugboat touring, tug races, booth vendors or food vendors this year.
    Support our local businesses by eating and shopping downtown and the Olympia Farmers Market.

Olympia WA Harbor Days, South Sound Maritime Heritage Association (SSMHA), Maritime Heritage Self-Guided Tour along Olympia’s boardwalk and at home self-guided activities & more….

“SSMHA, despite a number of continuing challenges, is pleased to present this community health-conscious Lite event,” said Chalmers.  “As the founding organization, we want to keep this nearly 50-year working waterfront-focused festival alive in preparation for a full version in 2022.” The maritime heritage nonprofit is continuing to operate the event after the Olympia Kiwanis Club had presented it from 2012 – 2019.

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Port of Olympia’s Port Plaza Park, Olympia Harbor Days 2021, South Sound Maritime Heritage Association PNW

For almost a half century, Olympia Harbor Days has been a locally-sponsored free family friendly maritime themed festival with tugboats, historic ships, booth vendors, food, music, educational classes, children’s activities and more, held each Labor Day Weekend.

OLYMPIA HARBOR DAYS LITE 2021
A SOUTH SOUND MARITIME HERITAGE ASSOCIATION EVENT

For more information visit: https://www.harbordays.com/