Get help fixing your broken items and learn valuable repair skills at Fix-it Fair!

 

Upcoming events

Fix-It Fair!

Wednesday, November 5, 2025
2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Sign up to have an item fixed

Lacey MakerSpace
St. Martin’s University Campus
Zaverl Hall – Building 5
Baran Drive Southeast
Lacey, WA 98503

 Directions /  Parking Information

Volunteer with us!

Fix-it Fairs are community-powered events. If you have mending or repairing skills that you’d like to share, join us as a fixer! We’re also seeking community partners and volunteers to help run the events. If you’re interested in volunteering or partnering, fill out our volunteer and partner interest form! A Thurston County recycling specialist will contact you with the next step.

Interest Form

Additional Volunteer Information:

• Commitment: Availability for the entire duration of the event, including setup and cleanup (approximately 2 p.m.-7 p.m.).
• Training: Review the volunteer guide and attend 1 hour of training prior to the event.
• Skills (for fixer volunteers): Basic repair skills for jewelry, small appliances, bikes, ceramics, furniture, clothing, or other.
• Travel: Ability to travel to the Lacey MakerSpace for volunteer orientation and for the event.
• Communication: Ability to clearly explain repair processes and engage with attendees in a friendly manner.
• Customer Service (for general volunteers): Friendly and approachable demeanor while assisting with check-in, traffic flow, photography, and answering questions throughout the event.

 

Thurston County Solid Waste won a Best of Category Award in the Volunteers category from the National Association of Counties for its November 2024 Fix-It Fair!

Learn more about this achievement here.

 

What are Fix-it Fairs? 

 

Why repair?

When you repair your items, you are: 

• Saving money and resources by keeping your items in use for longer.
• Building a resilient, sustainable community.
• Promoting a neighbor-to-neighbor community that values skill sharing.
• Preserving repair knowledge, skills, and passing them on to future generations.
   

What to bring

Thurston County residents are welcome to bring up to two items per event. Common items include clothing, textiles, small home appliances, lamps, vacuums, bicycles (minor repairs), and small electronics. You must be able to carry your items in and out – no oversized items. Volunteer fixers will do their best to attempt repairs, but there are no guarantees. Some items are more challenging to repair, take longer than we have time for at the event, or even break more during a repair attempt. 

 

What not to bring 

• Large appliances and appliances with refrigerants.
• Items that are leaking fluids.
• Items having noxious or excessive odors.
• Microwaves.
• Items filled with oil or gas.
• Grimy, dirty, or hazardous items. 

Check out Repair Reuse Washington’s local repair businesses for specialized or bulky items. Thurston County does not maintain or endorse this list. 

What to expect at a Fix-it Fair 

Before visiting our Fix-it Fairs, please: 

• Clean your items.
• Bring any instructions or manuals that you might have.
• Purchase and bring your repair part. We’ll have some small items available; however, if you require a particular part, we’ll request that you purchase it beforehand.
• Check event-specific information! Each event may have different fixing skills available. We’ll do our best to keep our events webpage updated with current information on skills available. 

At the event, all participants must: 

• Check in to the event at the welcome table.
• Participants must check in 30 minutes prior to the end time of the event. Participants who show up after the 30-minute cut-off will be turned away and asked to attend a future event.
• Fill out a waiver holding Thurston County, Lacey MakerSpace, and volunteers harmless for any potential damage to your property.
• Be present during the repair.
• Check out at our welcome table, snap a picture of your fixed item, and share!