Be a festival hopper this summer. Can't decide which festival to attend? Go for them all! Put your sea legs on and head down to Tacoma's Thea Foss Waterway for the Tall Ships Festival. Don't miss out on three themed villages with food, entertainment, activities and more, with free admission! Buy tickets at Freighthouse Square to tour selected tall ships docked along the waterway. July 3-7: Thursday noon-8 p.m., Friday-Sunday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Monday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 253-272-5650, www.tacomatallships.com
In the mood for marching bands? Catch the Grand Parade (Sunday at 2 p.m.), an event in the huge weekend bash known as Kent Cornucopia Days. In addition to the 19-block street fair - with more than 600 vendors' booths to browse - check out the carnival and kids' area. For the sporting enthusiasts, there are dragon boat races, a soccer tournament, 5K fun run, and skateboard and inline skating tournaments. Free. July 10-13: Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Downtown Kent and Kent Station, 417 Ramsay Way, Kent. www.kcdays.com
Hit all the hot spots around Olympia during the city's free summer festival: Capital Lakefair! The carnival and food booths can be found on Water Street, with arts and crafts vendors setting up shop at Percival Landing. Zoom over to the car show (Friday, 4-10 p.m.) at Marathon Park. Saturday is Kids' Day at Sylvester Park from noon to 4 p.m. End it all with a fireworks fête over Capital Lake on Sunday at dusk. July 16-20: Wednesday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Thursday noon-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday noon-11:30 p.m., Sunday noon-11 p.m. 360-943-7344, www.lakefair.org
— Karla Lindula
