Foofaraw 2022 – Friday, Sept. 9

foofaraw 2019

Now in its 60th year, the Thurston County Chamber will once again partner with the Olympia Yacht Club to host local military personnel at Foofaraw, an event unmatched anywhere else in the world.

Always the first Friday after Labor Day, we will be shoving off from the Olympia Yacht Club main station Friday, Sept. 9.

When you see lights flashing and hear sirens sounding on the Port of Olympia docks, please do not be alarmed! It is not an emergency. It is the Port and local “First Responders” joining the Olympia Yacht Club and Thurston County Chamber in honoring our Armed Forces taking part in Foofaraw 2022! For the last several years, the Port of Olympia has shown its gratitude for service to our military by arranging an unofficial send-off which includes representatives from local police, medic, and fire departments and always hanging a large American flag from one of their cranes.

Foofaraw has gained in popularity with every passing year and is well-known throughout the United States Armed Forces. Yacht club members transport guests to Island Home, where the Yacht Club and the Chamber treat them to a full day of games and a traditional salmon bake, provided by Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel and The Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis. Finally, local dignitaries honor military personnel.

The event averages two service members to every one civilian.

One dictionary defines Foofaraw as “much ado about nothing” and, at one point in history the official “purpose” of the day, claimed that a “Foofarite [military attendee] has earned the right to say ‘Foof’ to all duties and responsibilities for one day each year.”

Sponsor tickets for this year’s event are limited and available to Chamber Members only. The Chamber is collecting donations for the free military raffle that takes place throughout the day.

For more information about Foofaraw or to make a donation, please call the Chamber at 360.357.3362.

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