City Parks and Recreation Department to present jam-packed year of activities in 2025

Favorites like Prairie Days, Party on the Prairie to return, new activities to debut

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After the City of Yelm’s Parks and Recreation Department hosted nearly 100 events in 2024, it plans to stay on track in 2025 with plenty of inclusive and family-friendly events throughout the year for local families to enjoy.

Line Roy, the City of Yelm’s communications and recreation coordinator, told the Nisqually Valley News on Jan. 13 that the department’s biggest goal for 2025 is ensuring that it’s bringing in a range of recreational activities that include something for everyone.

“Not everyone is going to be interested in every single event that we host, but I would love to get to that spot where we’re reaching each person at least one time,” Roy said. “We want to do something that everyone could be interested in. I want to keep our events as inclusive as possible by making them free or very low cost.”

Roy added staff hopes to attract more people to Yelm through activities and ensure local families always have a range of activities from which to choose. Roy also wants community members to recognize how much Yelm has to offer and how many events occur throughout each year.

“We saw in 2024 how much we’re able to do. I definitely want to keep that trajectory going and make sure that we’re keeping the spirit of celebration alive. I think even just looking at what we have planned so far, we’re doing that,” Roy said. “A while ago, I was talking with a friend of mine, and I said if you’re bored in Yelm, you’re not paying attention. There’s so much going on and so many fun activities. If you’re missing that, call me because I’ll give you an itinerary.”

The City of Yelm will have numerous events returning in 2025, including its quarterly story trails event. Partnering with Yelm Timberland Library, Roy and the department created an event to invite parkgoers to read while they enjoy a walk through one of Yelm’s three parks. Visit the City of Yelm Parks and Recreation’s Facebook page for further announcements regarding the event.

Water Tower Tots will also return in 2025, beginning on Monday, Jan. 27, and takes place each Monday through March 31. The event is designed for toddlers and encourages creativity, imagination and social interaction, Roy said.

Roy also highlighted the cookie-decorating activities on Feb. 12, April 16 and June 11, each at the Yelm Community Center, as popular events set to return this year. Tickets for the activities cost $40, and people can learn all about cookie decorating in the events.

Roy also highlighted several events she’s excited for in 2025, including the return of Yelm’s adult Easter egg hunt. This year, the department has added a new egg hunt for teenagers to enjoy. The teenager’s Easter egg hunt will take place Friday, April 4, while the adult event will occur on Saturday, April 5.

“We’ll also be adding a new egg hunt for our furry friends at the dog park,” Roy said. “That will be on April 19 at the dog park in Yelm. It’s going to be super cute.”

Roy added that the annual space-themed event will return on Saturday, May 3, with Galaxy Day. She’s also thrilled for the return of the annual lineup of activities during Prairie Days weekend. This year, Roy said the Party on the Prairie concert should return on Friday, June 13, during Prairie Days weekend.

“I’ve been chatting with some local favorites about that. We’re excited to get that event going again for the community,” Roy said.



Saturday, June 14, during Prairie Days weekend will feature all of the fun-filled park activities designed for kids to enjoy, Roy said.

“We’ll bring back the Touch-a-Truck. Jeff Evans is scheduled to do another magic show, which we’re excited for,” Roy said. “We’ll also have games in the park, and this year, we’re looking to bring in some more fun games and inflatables.”

YARD and the City of Yelm’s Parks and Recreation Department will partner again in 2025 to bring back the return of the color run on Saturday, June 28, at Yelm City Park.

New to the events lineup in 2025 will be “Zumba in the Park” on Saturday, June 28, and Saturday, Aug. 23. That event is free to attend.

“This is going to be a fun, new event,” Roy said. “We’re partnering with a Zumba group out of Olympia, and they’re coming into Yelm to do Zumba in the park. I have two days scheduled for them, and we’re really excited for that. We hope the community shows out for these two events in June and August.”

The summer kickball league in Yelm will also return for a month, from July 30 to Aug. 30, this summer. Team registration costs $100. People can register at the City of Yelm’s website.

Yelm’s National Night Out will take place Tuesday, Aug. 5, at Yelm City Park.

As the year gets closer to Halloween, the City of Yelm will celebrate the spooky holiday with the return of the annual “Spooky Trail” event on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at Cochrane Park, which will transform into a scarier setting.

The City of Yelm and Anytime Fitness will once again partner for the Thanksgiving Day “Turkey Trot” event on Thursday, Nov. 27, at Yelm City Park. More details will come as the date gets closer.

Yelm’s annual Christmas tree lighting at Yelm City Park and photos with Santa inside the Yelm Community Center will return on Friday, Dec. 5, with free admission for both events. The Christmas in the Park celebration will take place the next day on Saturday, Dec. 6, and feature a number of activities for families to enjoy.

Morning With Mrs. Claus will return in 2025 on Saturday, Dec. 13. Tickets for children will cost $15 and include breakfast and activities, and an adult ticket will cost $15 for breakfast. The winter solstice walk is set for Wednesday, Dec. 17, at Cochrane Park to celebrate the shortest day of the year. Admission is free. The final city-hosted event of 2025 will be Santa’s sleigh ride through Yelm neighborhoods on Dec. 18. Santa Claus himself has coordinated with City of Yelm officials to set up the event.