about lakefair
What is Lakefair?
Capital Lakefair is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in Olympia, Washington. While widely known as Olympia’s annual summer festival, Lakefair operates year-round to celebrate and give back to our community in Thurston County.
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The festival is a volunteer driven organization governed by a voting member body known as the Capitalarians, a group of individuals that show their love and dedication to the people of Thurston County by donating their time and effort.
Each year as part of the Scholarship Program, a new group of young women from area high schools join the Lakefair Royalty tradition. The Court participates in all aspects of the organization throughout the season. This includes local activities such as the donation drive by Little Red School House, Special Needs Prom and events held by other area non-profit service groups. They also visit locations across Washington, Oregon and British Columbia as the Lakefair Float rides in parades hosted by other community festivals. Each princess receives a $3,000 scholarship to be applied to any type of higher education, and the selected queen receives an additional $2,000.
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Funding for Capital Lakefair is provided by contributions from individuals and businesses in our community, financial and/or in-kind donations by our sponsors and operations from the annual five-day festival in July.
Mission Statement
We, as Capital Lakefair, provide a family-friendly community festival annually in the 3rd week of July:
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To celebrate our area youth by offering scholarship programs and activities that highlight their academic, artistic talents and community spirit;
To offer our non-profit organizations the opportunity for fundraising for their local charities through the annual Capital Lakefair Festival;
To celebrate and recognize the Armed Forces and their families in the South Sound area;
To promote, recognize and maintain a positive business relationship, year round, between communities and organizations throughout the South Sound Region of Puget Sound;
To act as a professional goodwill ambassador organization both during the Capital Lakefair Festival celebration and throughout the year.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Capital Lakefair does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, the appointment to and termination from its Board of Directors, selection of volunteers, selection of vendors, hiring and firing of contractors or staff, and providing of services.
DEI Statement
At Lakefair, we are dedicated to embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion in every aspect of our organization. Our commitment is to create an environment where everyone, regardless of their background or identity, feels valued, respected, and empowered, while also prioritizing their safety and well-being.
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Diversity: We honor and celebrate the diverse identities and experiences within our community, including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, and more. We believe that this diversity enriches our organization and enhances our ability to serve and connect with the community.
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Equity: We are committed to ensuring fair access to opportunities and resources for all individuals. This involves proactively addressing barriers and implementing practices that promote equity, ensuring that everyone has the support they need to participate fully and achieve their potential.
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Inclusion: We aim to create a welcoming and respectful environment where all voices are heard and valued. Our goal is to foster a sense of belonging, actively promoting practices that ensure diverse perspectives are included in all aspects of our work.
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We prioritize the safety of our community members by creating and maintaining a secure environment where everyone feels protected and supported. We are committed to continuously assessing and improving our DEI efforts. This includes engaging with our community to gather feedback, setting measurable goals, and regularly reviewing our practices to ensure they align with our DEI values and safety standards.
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By doing so, we honor our rich history while striving for a future where everyone can thrive and contribute meaningfully. Together, we build a stronger, more vibrant community by embracing and acting on these principles, ensuring our organization reflects and supports the diverse needs, aspirations, and safety of all our members.