Jacob Dimond / jake@yelmonline.com
During a Yelm City Council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 9, the Yelm Communications and Recreation Coordinator Line Roy took to the podium for a special presentation on what the department has accomplished in 2025.
She also provided a look ahead for the new family-friendly activities in 2026.
Roy said through nine months in 2025, city activities and events have been filled with growth and connection. She noted that Yelm is on track to conclude the year with 75 total events, which is good for an average of six activities per month, or one and a half per week.
“Tonight, we are going to celebrate the impacts of our recreation programs, our programs, events and partnerships from 2025, and we’ll share a look ahead for what’s in store for 2026. Everything we do is rooted in making Yelm a fun, healthy and connected community. Our mission is simple: to build experiences that bring people together and build lasting memories,” Roy said. “Our events reached thousands of residents and visitors — showcasing Yelm as a vibrant place to live and play. This year, we have been able to expand thanks to partnerships with some incredible local organizations and businesses.”
Roy was thankful for the coordination, contributions and involvement of local businesses. She highlighted several that went above and beyond in 2025. She noted Yelm Timberland Library helped bring events such as “Sunshine and Storytime,” storytelling and drumming, story trail, and personalities such as The Reptile Lady and magician Jeff Evans into Yelm for different activities.
Additionally, the city teamed up with Yelm Lions Club for Prairie Days Bingo and Movies in the Park last summer, which Roy described as great events. The city also teamed with YARD Campus, Anytime Fitness, Zumba, Get Fit Yelm, Standing Room Only Theater and many others to ensure 2025 was a successful year.
“Because of these collaborations, we’ve been able to say ‘yes’ to a lot more things. That collaboration is key to everything we do,” Roy said. “Our partnerships, I think, are one of our greatest strengths.”
According to Roy, the Prairie Days weekend brought in roughly 1,000 more people in 2025 than the previous year. She highlighted the weekend-long celebration, which included Prairie Days Bingo, the second annual Party on the Prairie, Kids Day, the Charity Mushball Tournament and “so much more.”
She was also thrilled to announce that Prairie Days 2026 will return from Thursday, June 25, through Sunday, June 28.
“We’re going to keep fan favorites like the bingo, the kids day, the mushball tournament and the parades, and we’re also going to explore some new ideas like a Friday night car show or a bubble party to keep the momentum going and keep our events fresh and fun. Prairie Days always reminds us that Yelm really knows how to have a good time,” Roy said. “Our work is about more than just events though. It’s about building pride and belonging. The feedback we’ve received from residents, like this one, say ‘these events make me proud to live in Yelm.’ It shows how important recreation is to quality of life right here in Yelm.”
Additionally, the department received a grant from PARC to host “STEAM” powered programming — which includes a focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and math. The city has hosted STEAM events such as GalaxyFest, Dinosaur Day and ScoopFest throughout the year, and will host Lil Buccaneer Bash on Saturday, Sept. 20, and Boo Bash later in the year.
“These STEAM-powered recreational programs are arts and crafts, science, engineering — the kids do Lego building. They’ve made sun catchers and learned about how ice cream is made. They’re very targeted to our little learners in Yelm,” Roy said. “I say nearly everyday how grateful I am to have this role. It’s a privilege to get to create moments and memories that bring joy and connection, and also build our community. Getting to do this for Yelm, the community that I love, is just the greatest.”
