This weekend, the Hands On Children's Museum (HOCM) will once again hold the largest free festival in the South Sound. Along the Olympia waterfront, preparations are being completed for the 15th annual Sand in the City festival. Last year, more than 30,000 families enjoyed a weekend of art, hands-on learning and of course, sand castles.

This year, the HOCM intends to bring even more smiles to more families.

To kick off this year's festivities, the museum will close early on Friday, Aug. 21, to prepare for the Sand in the City Gala, which is the only event of the festival that is strictly for adults.  The rest of the weekend is scheduled to be pure family entertainment, and activities will begin at 10 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 22 and 23.  Though festivities are centered on crafting and admiring sand sculptures, there is much more in store.

Local musicians, bands and performers will take to the main stage throughout the festival. Organizers have brought together a highly diverse group of entertainers this year, from performing drum lines to martial arts demonstrations. The main stage guarantees entertainment for everyone.

For those that prefer a more hands-on approach, Sand in the City offers more than 20 activities. The range of activities is just as vast as the entertainment, as you may find yourself blowing giant bubbles one minute and taking part in a 250-foot interactive stream the next. The heart of the festival, however, is the construction and viewing of magnificent sand sculptures.

Saturday is the only day to watch master sculptors perform their craft. The public is permitted to watch these extremely skilled artists at work at no charge. In addition, Sand in the City will hold its first-ever hybrid sand sculpting exhibition when groups from the local Olympia area team up with master sculptors. All of the finished sculptures will be available for viewing throughout the festival. The public can vote on the winner by dropping a dollar in the box of their favorite sculpture.

Children of all ages will also be given the opportunity to create for themselves. Several of the activities revolve around hands-on crafting, art and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) learning activities. Children can build their own masterpieces in giant sandboxes, a make-and-take craft tent, and the sand art area.

Festivalgoers are also invited to visit the award-winning Hands On Children's Museum at a special Sand in the City rate of only $5.50 per person.  Though this event is primarily intended to expose children to art in a fun and educational way while creating fantastic family memories as summer fades to fall, Sand in the City has proven to have much further-reaching impacts on the local community.

All of the proceeds collected during the two-day festival go toward HOCM's free and reduced admissions programs. Through this event, the museum is able to provide military discounts and a military family support group. Proceeds also help fund field trips for underserved schools and a special night of play for families of children with autism. Every year, the Sand in the City festival has exposed families to the joy of art and creation, and every year it gets larger and more spectacular. Sand in the City brings families and the community together with great fun for an even greater cause.  

Sand in the City, Saturday, Aug. 22, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 23, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hands On Children's Museum, Olympia, www.hocm.org