The City of Yelm’s Parks and Recreation Department has kept busy by organizing a series of events scheduled for this spring and summer to offer a variety of activities for area residents to enjoy.
For the next three months, the City will host different events and welcome the community to participate in the activities.
April
The first of three upcoming events is the 28th annual Arbor Day celebration.
Scheduled for 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on April 26 at the stage at Yelm City Park, participants will have the opportunity to learn about Arbor Day and its meaning in Yelm.
“We do it as part of our Tree City USA program. We have artwork from local kiddos that will be on display and featured all day,” Line Roy, Yelm’s communications and recreation coordinator, said. “We’ll be giving out Eastern redbud seedlings. It’s presented by our tree advisory board, and it’s a way for us to celebrate our commitment to the environment around us.”
Roy added the event will also include performances from local bands and choirs, and the Yelm Timberland Library will offer a “story trail.”
May
Scheduled from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on May 4 at Yelm City Park, the inaugural Galaxy Fest will turn the park into an intergalactic area for all participants to enjoy. Galaxy Fest, or Star Wars day to some, is based on the movie’s saying “may the force be with you,” which also sounds like “May the fourth,” the date of the event.
“Galaxy Fest is going to be super fun. It’s on Star Wars day, May the fourth, and we’re inviting local organizations to come in if they want to do a space-themed craft or activity,” Roy said. “We will have R2D2, the real life R2D2, making an appearance. We’ll also have some super fun crafts and little projects to offer too.”
Galaxy Fest will also coincide with the Yelm Farmers Market season kickoff, and Roy said participants of Galaxy Fest should check out the farmers market and vice versa.
“Attendants will be able to do both. It’ll be busy, but that’s the way we like it,” Roy said. “Our Agents of Discovery program will also have a special space mission that day. We’ll have lots of opportunities for pictures, of course.”
June
Yelm’s annual Prairie Days festivities will return on June 22. The annual celebration will kick off with the Yelm Chamber of Commerce-hosted Prairie Days Parade at 9 a.m.
Following the conclusion of the annual parade, attendants can head over to Yelm City Park for several hours of family-friendly activities and games, including the return of the “touch a truck” event, which allows families and event-attendants to observe and explore different vehicles, like an ambulance, a police car and heavy equipment.
“We’re looking to increase and add more to the event this year. We’re offering a magic show this year, which we’ve never done before. It’s going to have a lot of the same elements with the kids’ activities, the games, and the prizes,” Roy said. “We’re hoping that Grocery Outlet will come back with the watermelon eating contest, and that American Family Insurance will come back with the pie baking contest. It’ll be a lot of the same elements, but we’re adding some extra aspects this year.”
Roy said the activities at the park will take place following the parade, which she estimates will conclude around 10 a.m.
“We’re hoping that everyone can go and watch the parade and then come by the park afterwards,” Roy said.
Residents can follow the City of Yelm’s Parks and Recreation Department’s self-titled Facebook page for updates about city-hosted activities.
“Take advantage of these events,” Roy said. “So many of these are free and low-cost entertainment for our residents, for our families. We hope to see the community continue to attend and support these activities. If there’s any activities that our residents would like to see, chat with me because we’re always looking to expand our offerings.”
