If Olympia had an official holiday, it would be the day of the annual Procession of the Species.

With no words and no motorized vehicles (except wheelchairs), the procession is a celebration of Earth Day, green power, the web of life ...  you name it.

It's also the year's best people-watching opportunity, particularly those people who just wake up the morning of the event and throw something together so they can walk in the procession. For the hip and sardonic, it doesn't get much better.

But the 17th Procession, happening Saturday, April 23, is just the polar ice cap crowning two days of festivities downtown. The weekend celebration also includes Arts Walk, the City of Olympia's twice-yearly celebration of artists both amateur and professional, and a bunch of bands.

To read Molly Gilmore's full article click here.

Arts Walk XLII

Friday, April 22, from 5-10 p.m.
Saturday, April 23, from noon to 8 p.m.; free
Throughout downtown Olympia
360.753.8380

Luminary Procession

Friday, April 22, 9:30 p.m.; free
From Fifth and Washington to Capital Lake
360.705.1087 or procession.org

Procession of the Species

Saturday, April 23, 4:30 p.m.; free but donations for the Thurston County Food Bank are requested of both participants and spectators
From Cherry and Legion to Heritage Park, Olympia
360.705.1087 or procession.org