Thursday, June 16

Yelm High School Graduation

The 2022 Yelm High School graduation will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 16 at the Tacoma Dome. Parking fees are $15 at the Tacoma Dome. More information for parking and guest entrance can be found on the Yelm Community Schools’ website at www.ycs.wednet.edu.

Senior Lunches

The Yelm Adult Community Center will hold its weekly lunches at 11:30 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Senior Services for the South Sound operates the Senior Nutrition Program, using the Yelm Senior Center’s commercial kitchen and dining room, at 16530 103rd Ave. SE in Yelm. Their staff prepares lunches for the Yelm, Tenino and Rochester senior centers and Meals on Wheels for homebound seniors in the area.

Food Bank

The Yelm Community Services food bank, at 624 Crystal Springs St. NW in Yelm, will hold a food giveaway from 1 to 3:45 p.m. on Thursday, June 16. Clients cannot enter the building, and must wait in their vehicles. Staff will have pre-packed carts of food to hand out. To prevent health issues, the usual food sign-in procedures will not take place. Staff will ask the number of people in the family. People who come can only pick up for their own family. Please park in front of the food bank building.

Friday, June 17

Storytime

The Yelm Timberland Library will hold its virtual Zoom Family Storytime at 10 a.m. Friday, June 17. Join the library’s expert storytime providers and other families live on Zoom every Friday for songs, music, movement, books and activities for the whole family. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult. Register online at events.trl.org/events/month by clicking the event to receive the Zoom link and to get weekly email reminders. Be aware that each individual storytime has a unique Zoom link. When you’re signing in for storytime, make sure you are clicking on the Zoom link for the correct date and time.

Saturday, June 18

Yelm Amateur Radio Group

The Yelm Amateur Radio Group will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 18. The group is a nonprofit organization that provides testing for licensing related to radio, as well as an interest in amateur radio. The group meets on the first and third Saturday of each month at the Emanuel Lutheran Church, 206 Third St. SE, in Yelm.

Movies in the Park

Movies in the Park returns for the summer at Longmire Park. The first movie night will take place on Saturday, June 18 with a showing of “The Princess Bride.” Admission is free. Movies start at dusk and are weather dependent. The event is hosted by the Yelm Lions Club.

Monday, June 20

COVID-19 Testing

Weekly COVID-19 testing will be available at the Rainier Sportsmans Club from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, June 20. The testing is for symptomatic patients or close contacts. The Rainier Sportsmans Club is located at 404 Alaska St., Rainier.

Tuesday, June 21

Yelm Prairie Days

The week-long Prairie Days celebration begins on Tuesday, June 21 and runs until Sunday, June 26. The theme for 2022 Prairie Days is “Back to our Roots.” The event will feature a parade, watermelon eating contest, a festival, a softball tournament, a street dance and a car show. For more information, go to the Facebook page titled “Yelm Prairie Days.”

Thursday, June 23

Prairie Point Quilters Guild Meeting

The Prairie Point Quilters Guild hosts its meetings on the second and fourth Thursday of each month. The meeting takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Rainier Senior Center, 108 Michigan St. S. Anyone who is interested is welcome to join the group for its meetings.

Saturday, June 25

Prairie Days Parade

The annual Yelm Prairie Days Parade will take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 25. Parade lineup begins at 8 a.m. next to Yelm Cinemas. Parade participants are asked to enter through the Fourth Avenue entrance.

Monday, June 27

COVID-19 Testing

Weekly COVID-19 testing will be available at the Rainier Sportsmans Club from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, June 27. The testing is for symptomatic patients or close contacts. The Rainier Sportsmans Club is located at 404 Alaska St., Rainier.

Saturday, July 2

Independence Day Celebration

The Red White Blue Agency will host a “Retro Rainier Independence Day Celebration” from 2 to 8 p.m. on July 2 at Wilkowski Park in Rainier. The event will offer a variety of activities, games and food vendors for the community to enjoy.

Tuesday, July 4

American Legion Independence Day Celebration

American Legion Post 164 in Yelm will host a Fourth of July gathering at its location at 16733 103 Ave. S. in Yelm. The event starts at 1 p.m. and will conclude at 10 p.m. The event features fireworks, food trucks, games and activities.

Saturday, July 16

Mystical Enchanted Garden Fest

The Mystical Enchanted Garden Fest will take place at Yelm City Park on Saturday, July 16. The event begins at 10 a.m. and wraps up at 6 p.m. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., attendees will have the opportunity to meet and take pictures with Disney characters, including Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, Snow White, Captain Hook and others. There will be vendors, food trucks and raffles. Admission is free.

Saturday, July 23

Nisqually Valley Barbecue Rally

The Nisqually Valley Barbecue Rally will return to Yelm City Park from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 23. The rally will feature different events including an amateur and professional barbecue contest.

Saturday, July 30

Mermaid Fest

The 2022 Mermaid Fest returns to Yelm City Park on Saturday, July 30. The event kicks off at 10 a.m. and is expected to wrap up around 6 p.m. Characters from Disney’s “A Little Mermaid” will be in attendance from noon to 4 p.m. for photo opportunities.

Saturday, August 20

Yelm Lions Club Cornhole Tournament

The Yelm Lions Club will hold its third annual cornhole tournament on Saturday, Aug. 20 at Mr. Doug’s restaurant in Yelm. The event begins at noon and will conclude at 6 p.m. Teams must pay an $80 registration fee. Registration is limited to the first 32 teams that sign up. For more information contact middaylionsclubyelm@gmail.com.