The City of Tumwater’s 4th Annual Falls Fest

Originally published on OLY ARTS on July 1st, 2025

There is something about exploring Tumwater Falls that makes you feel like you are on vacation, right? The City of Tumwater continues to add to the charm of the Falls area with community events like the upcoming Falls Fest promoting local arts and celebrating Tumwater’s craft-making heritage. This event is open to all ages and truly has something to offer everybody!

City of Tumwater’s Arts Specialist, Britt Bowman, says, “Many festivals offer crafts for children, but we believe that making art can be healing and joyful for all ages.” With this spirit in mind, everyone is welcome to participate in the art activities and enjoy the performances of local entertainers. This year, Tumwater lined up nationally acclaimed local puppet company, String and Shadow Puppets to perform at the event. There will also be traditional activities like balloon twisting and face painting, but remember: one is never too old to have their face painted to look like a tiger or butterfly!

All event attendees are invited to pick up an “artist passport” at the event. You will want to carry your handy passport with you as you travel amongst local vendors and artists, and participate in the activities that earn you stamps. Before you head out of the event, you will be able to “cash in” your passport and get to enter for the chance to win prizes.

Every person involved in creating this year’s event is passionate and excited about what they get to create and be a part of. The heart of this event is to create a feeling of belonging and pride in the community, especially in the arts scene. Reflecting on Falls Fests of the past, Bowman loves to see “intergenerational groups all hanging out and enjoying themselves.” Following up on that, Recreation Coordinator, Chad Harvell, loves “the connections Falls Fest can bring to a community.” Harvell is personally proud that his father-in law’s band, Shamrock, played last year and will be returning this year.

The Falls Fest is for the community, by the community, and it would be incomplete without you and your loved ones! Oly Arts invites you to celebrate the past and make new memories at this year’s Falls Fest.

Plan Accordingly with tips from the Event Planners:

Parking at the event will be limited: The brewery lot on E Street will be open, and this is accessible from Capitol Boulevard or Deschutes Way. The City of Tumwater has also partnered with Intercity Transit to provide a trip planner if you’d like to bike or use public transportation to attend. Falls Fest is bike friendly and will offer an on-site bike valet courtesy of Intercity Transit.

Come Hungry! There will be eight food vendors on site, selling everything from coffee or ice cream to tacos or chicken adobo. Neighboring the festival is the Tumwater Craft District offering a variety of culinary delights as well.

WHAT: Tumwater Falls Fest

WHERE: Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls, 110 Deschutes

Way SW, Tumwater

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 27 , 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

HOW MUCH: Free

LEARN MORE: www.ci.tumwater.wa.us/departments/parks-recreation-department/events/falls-fest

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