A little sprinkle before — and torrents of rain after.

 

But the skies held back their deluge Saturday afternoon, giving the 116th Sequim Irrigation Festival Grand Parade participants and onlookers a fine late spring day to celebrate the keystone event of the longest-running festival in Washington.

 

Deon Kapetan, first-time chairman of the festival, said the parade had perfect weather and went well despite a few hitches with gaps between participants.

 

“We’re going to continue working on it,” Kapetan said. “They start out close at the beginning, but how they get stretched out along the parade route, I have no idea.”

 

Kapetan and her event organizers said the second weekend of the event went fantastically and everything was well-attended including the logging show and Strongman competition, Car Cruzz, carnival, juried arts show, Crazy Daze breakfast, River Center Run and more.

 

“The carnival went wonderful and people liked the (discount) armbands,” Kapetan said. “Even through the rain, people were there on Saturday night. Sunday was not as good, but they did so well the other three days they didn’t seem to mind.”

 

After visiting the different events, Kapetan said she has a new respect for everyone who puts them on during the festival. She returns next year as chairman for the 117th year of the festival.

 

“If I could have as good a year next year as this year, then I’m good,” she said.

 

See more photos and parade results on pages A-13, A-14, A-19.