Labor Day weekend is the traditional farewell to summer, and Lewis County is sending it off in style. From one of the country's largest indoor basketball tournaments to a beloved car show and a historic bell tower concert, there is a full slate of events across the county this week. Grab your calendar, because this is a week you will not want to miss.
Chehalis First Tuesday Farmers Market
Tuesday, September 1 · 10 AM – 3 PM
N Market Blvd & NE Boistfort St, Chehalis — Free admission
The first Tuesday of the month means a special edition of the Chehalis Farmers Market in the downtown square. September brings the peak of the harvest season: think plump heirloom tomatoes, sweet Walla Walla onions, fresh-pressed apple cider, late-summer squash, and local honey. Browse booths from regional farmers, bakers, and crafters, and enjoy the relaxed small-town atmosphere. SNAP/EBT and WIC benefits are accepted. This market runs rain or shine, so come prepared.
Hub City 3on3 Basketball Tournament
Friday, September 4 – Monday, September 7 · Game times vary
NW Sports Hub, 701 Allen Ave, Centralia — Spectator admission free
Billed as the largest indoor 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the country, the Hub City 3on3 returns to Centralia over Labor Day weekend. Players from across the region compete in divisions from 12th grade through adult and collegiate, with a new Corporate Coed Division offering $2,500 in prize money. Games run all weekend at the NW Sports Hub, and spectators are welcome free of charge. A silent auction benefiting the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce adds to the community spirit. Whether you are a player or a fan, this is the place to be for Labor Day weekend energy.
Centralia Carillon Bell Tower Concert — America's 250th Anniversary
Saturday, September 5 · 6:30 PM
Downtown Centralia — Free admission
In celebration of America's 250th anniversary, the Centralia Carillon Bell Tower will host a special Saturday evening concert on September 5. The carillon's bells ring out across downtown Centralia in a free outdoor performance that brings the community together. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket, grab dinner at a nearby downtown restaurant beforehand, and settle in for an evening of music under the late-summer sky. This is a wonderful family-friendly way to kick off the holiday weekend.
Rust or Shine Car Show and Music Festival
Sunday, September 6 · 8 AM – 2 PM
Veterans Memorial Museum, 100 SW Veterans Way, Chehalis — Free spectator admission
One of Lewis County's biggest annual events, the Rust or Shine Car Show and Music Festival returns to the Veterans Memorial Museum grounds on Sunday of Labor Day weekend. Featuring hot rods, muscle cars, classics, street rods, rat rods, and motorcycles, the show draws car enthusiasts from across the Pacific Northwest. Live music from multiple bands plays throughout the day, and there is a pin-up contest, raffle, handmade trophies, and food and craft vendors on site. Spectator entry is free, and reduced museum gallery admission is available. If you love cars, music, or just a good community gathering, this is your Sunday plan.
Bingo Night @ Insert Coin Centralia
Monday, September 7 · 7 PM
Insert Coin, Centralia — Free to play
Cap off the long holiday weekend with a casual evening of bingo at Insert Coin on Labor Day Monday. This downtown Centralia hangout combines a classic arcade bar atmosphere with weekly bingo nights that are free to play and open to all ages earlier in the evening. Grab a drink, try your luck, and enjoy the friendly competition. It is a low-key, affordable way to wind down after a busy weekend of car shows and basketball.
Looking ahead
Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 12, when the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad hosts a BINGO Train departing at 5 PM from the depot at 1101 SW Sylvenus St, Chehalis. Enjoy a scenic train ride through the countryside while playing bingo — a unique Lewis County experience that sells out quickly. The same day, head to The Station LC Coffee Co for a Paint and Sip event at 1 PM. And on Friday, September 11, Centralia College's Trans Alta Commons hosts An Evening with Authors at 6 PM, a wonderful literary event for book lovers.
For more details on any event, call the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce or check the Experience Chehalis and Downtown Centralia event calendars online.
Summer's last hurrah in Lewis County is packed with community spirit. Whether you are dribbling at the Hub City tournament, admiring a '67 Mustang at Rust or Shine, or listening to the carillon bells echo through downtown, there is no better place to spend the final days of the season.
