Downtown Olympia has a biannual event called Arts Walk, once in the spring and once in the fall, where all of the shops open up and have different pop-up events and gallery showings for local artists and artisans. It’s always a really fun time to walk around Downtown Olympia and check out all of the different stores and what they have to offer. Theres always really good food and people watching. As a part of the spring iteration of Arts Walk, there is the Procession of the Species parade. The Friday parade happens at 9pm and is all lit up with glow sticks and lights. There is also an afternoon Saturday parade. People wear all sorts of different costumes and papermache masks, designed to look like all sorts of different animals from jellyfish to insects to whales to peacocks. The costumes are beautiful and intricate, each one handmade (and generally by the person wearing it). If you’re interested in being a part of the parade, that’s definitely an option too. The Procession of the Species has a studio space downtown where they host open hours to come in and work on your costume for the parade. Check out their website!