The first days of summer will be loaded with laughter as the Royal Lounge hosts the first annual Olympia Comedy Festival June 21-23. Presented by Baurice Nelson, the festival will showcase top Northwest comics and perhaps uncover a future comedy star when up and coming Northwest comics compete in the first ever Olympia Comedy Competition.

Portland's Dwight Slade, a past winner of the Boston Comedy Festival Competition, headlines June 22, with featured comic Gabriel Rutledge, a past winner of the Seattle International Comedy Competition, and opener Amos Mack, both of Olympia. Once called "The Northwest's Most Dangerous Mind," Slade's brand of cerebral, observational, and just plain raunchy humor have made him one of the region's top comics, earning him invitations to open for the likes of Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld and Dave Chappelle. He has been a frequent guest on the syndicated Bob and Tom radio show and was featured in the documentary film American: The Bill Hicks Story, about his childhood friend and fellow comic.

David Crowe, the only comic in history to have won both the Seattle and San Francisco International Comedy Competitions, will headline June 23 with fellow Seattle comics Duane Goad, the featured performer, and opener Travis Simmons. One of the Northwest's premiere comics, Crowe has been featured on Comedy Central and once opened for President Bill Clinton. A master of "working the crowd," Crowe is well known for his smart, observational humor and for the oddball characters that sometimes make "guest appearances" during his performances.

The Festival kicks off June 21, with an estimated 20 up-and-coming comics competing to win $1,000 in cash prizes and to take home the crown, as audience members and judges will select the winner of the inaugural Olympia Comedy Competition.

All shows begin at 8:30 pm, starting with the Olympia Comedy Competition on June 21. Tickets are $10 per show or $25 for a festival pass that includes all three events. Attendees must be 21 or older to attend. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit Baurice.com. The Royal Lounge is located at 311 N.Capitol Way in Olympia. A few slots for comics in the competition remain as of press time. Comics interested in participating should visit the Olympia Comedy Festival event page on Facebook.