Year-round events expand Sequim’s lavender season

Published 11:58 am Thursday, March 20, 2014

by Mary Powell

For the Sequim Gazette

Lavender might not be in bloom throughout the year, but that doesn’t mean visitors and those who live among the purple plant can’t enjoy its benefits year-round.

In an effort to extend the festivities surrounding lavender, the Sequim Lavender Farmers Association is expanding its events calendar. In addition to the popular Sequim Lavender Weekend, there also are events planned during peak bloom time, late summer and winter.

“The idea is to spread out more lavender-related events for those who are visiting Sequim,” said Scott Nagel, Sequim Lavender Farmers Association executive director.

The Lavender Oil Distillation Celebration is set for Aug. 31-Sept. 1. With the lavender stills running, this is a good time to learn about lavender, its properties and uses. There will be activities and fun for the family at each of the participating farms.

The Winter Lavender Faire is slated for Saturday, Nov. 30. This first-ever faire takes place at the Sequim Boys & Girls Club on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. There will be plenty of lavender-related gifts, crafts, food and holiday décor, as well as a gingerbread house contest.

Membership program

To celebrate the year-round calendar of events, the Sequim Lavender Farmers Association has designed a new membership program called Friends of Lavender. Member benefits include discounts on lavender products and plants, newsletters and two tickets to the Sequim Lavender Farm Faire. For more information or to sign up, visit www.sequimlavender.org.

“Eventually we will add more events to the year-round calendar,” Nagel said. “And we would like to have an entire week of lavender celebration instead of one weekend.”