Irrigation Festival’s first weekend set
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, May 3, 2023
As the fun is set to begin for the 128th Sequim Irrigation Festival, some of its popular events are on the move.
Crazy Callen Weekend, the festival’s first weekend May 5-7, brings all of its events, except the First Friday Art Walk and operetta, to Carrie Blake Community Park by the James Center for Performing Arts bandshell.
The move comes with a desire to grow the festival, says executive director Deon Kapetan.
“Our only choices were to move, or block off more streets and we didn’t want that,” she said.
“This is a safer place to grow and set up.”
The Kids Parade, Family Fun Days (now two days), Innovative Arts and Crafts Fair, Crazy Daze Breakfast for Dinner, the run series, a new Trashion Show and community dance move to the park for Saturday and Sunday.
Except for the run series, all first weekend events are free, including music, laser tag and a foam cannon.
For a full schedule and maps of both weekends, including the Grand Finale Weekend, visit https://irrigationfestival.com.
Volunteers wanted
The Festival seeks volunteers to help at the upcoming weekend events, May 6-7 and May 12-13. If interested, email to info@irrigationfestival.com.
Volunteer for five hours or more and get an exclusive “Let’s get ‘Ditched’ in Sequim” T-shirt.
More details
Lineup for the Kids Parade begins at 8:45 a.m. near the bandshell with a 9 a.m. start. Prizes will be awarded for Best Storybook Character, Best Pet Entry, Best Mini Floats, Best Festival Theme, and Grand Prize Overall.
Family Fun Days features a cakewalk, crafts, games, music and more both days, with Sunday emphasizing big yard games, laser tag and a foam cannon.
The festival’s 1-mile and 5K races are out-and-backs on the Olympic Discovery Trail on Saturday, May 6, starting at 10 a.m. near the James Center for the Arts. The 5K is a timed event.
The half marathon is set for 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 7, starting at Troll Haven Bandy Farm on Gardiner Beach Road in Gardiner, and finishing at Carrie Blake Community Park.
Cost is $15 for the 1-mile run, $30 for the 5K, $80 for the half marathon and $60 for the virtual half marathon. Sign up at tinyurl.com/SEQifestRun.
Joy in Mudville plays the community dance, or Bandersnatch Ball, from 7-9 p.m. from the bandshell.
Parking/shuttle
A shuttle will run 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Saturday from West Washington Street in front of Pacific Mist/Cedarbook Lavender to two spots in Carrie Blake Community Park. The shuttle is not handicap-accessible, organizers say.
Only vendors will only be allowed to park in Carrie Blake during events, and public parking will be on city streets or by donation on the property in the lot behind Trinity United Methodist Church. Organizers ask people not to park in the church lot.
Sequim Passport
With many festival events moved out of downtown Sequim, organizers ask festival goers to participate in the “Passport to Sequim” program from May 5-14. They ask people to pick up a passport and shop small by visiting at least 10 of the 47 participating merchants for stamps.
Each business, the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce, and Co-Op Farm and Garden has a passport. Entries must be turned in by May 15 to the Co-Op with 10 winners of local prizes drawn on May 16.
Grand Finale
The second weekend of the festival returns May 11-13 with most of its events, such as the Logging Show, Grand Parade, and Classic Car Show and Cruise.
Kapetan said there are about 100 parade entries that will travel the usual route west on Washington Street.
The Classic Cruise & Show returns this year on May 13 and will travel from the former JCPenney lot, 651 W. Washington St., to 250 Center Park Way.
Cars are staged on the west end (651 W. Washington St.) from 8-10 a.m., with the cruise at 11 a.m. Car show judging is from noon-4 p.m., with 20-plus awards announced at 4 p.m.
Register online at sequimirrigationfestival.enmotive.com/events/car-show-n-cruzz.
The carnival won’t return this year, Kapetan said, due to staffing issues for the different agencies.
“We’ve talked to all of the carnivals, but they can’t cover [our festival],” she said.
“We’d love to have them back but they can’t find enough people to work.”
The carnival has been one the largest fundraisers for the all-volunteer festival.
“We’re hoping to have them back next year,” Kapetan said.
Read more on Grand Finale Weekend in next week’s edition, or visit.
For more information about the festival, visit irrigationfestival.com or email to info@irrigationfestival.com.
2023 Irrigation Festival Schedule — Crazy Callen Weekend
Friday, May 5
• First Friday Art Walk, 5-8 p.m. downtown Sequim
• “Anastasia the Musical,” 7 p.m. Sequim High School, 533 N. Sequim Ave.
Saturday, May 6 (Carrie Blake Community Park)
• Kids Parade, 8:45 a.m. lineup, 9 a.m. start
• Family Fun Day, 9a.m.-4 p.m.
• Innovative Arts & Crafts Fair, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Run Series 1-mile, 5K, 10 a.m.-noon
• Various entertainment, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
• Beer and wine garden/ food vendors, noon-9 p.m.
• Crazy Daze Breakfast for Dinner, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
• Trashion Show (recycled fashion), 6:30 p.m.
• Bandersnatch Ball with Joy in Mudville (Community Dance), 7-9 p.m.
• “Anastasia the Musical,” 7 p.m. SHS
Sunday, May 7 (Carrie Blake Community Park)
• Run Series Half Marathon, 8 a.m.-noon (start Troll Haven)
• Family Fun Day, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Innovative Arts & Crafts Fair, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Beer & Wine Garden/ food vendors, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Various entertainment 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• “Anastasia the Musical,” 2 p.m. SHS
• Sequim City Band, 3-4:30 p.m.
