Organizers with the Sequim Irrigation Festival hope locals find comfort in this year’s theme “There’s No Place Like Home” for its 124th year.
The two-weekend annual event, and longest running consecutive festival in Washington, kicks off this weekend with Crazy Callen Weekend May 3-5 followed by the Grand Finale Weekend May 9-12 all to celebrate the history of the Dungeness River irrigating the Sequim-Dungeness area.
Deon Kapetan, festival executive director, said they hope to work even closer with local service clubs and booster clubs and particularly with more youths at this year’s events.
For this year’s events, Kapetan said they anticipate more than 140 vendors between them all.
In early April, organizers saw a setback with someone breaking into the festival’s royalty float and stealing the “Wizard of Oz” themed float’s generator.
However, as word spread in the community and online, Kapetan said they received an email from representatives with Tacoma Diesel who wanted to donate a generator.
Rich Graves with the company delivered the generator on April 24.
“It was completely out of the blue,” she said. “That’s the power of social media.”
Kevin Kapetan, festival vehicle coordinator, said the Briggs & Stratton P2200 is very quiet and will help keep the float’s moving elements going down parade routes.
There’s no new information about the missing generator, Deon Kapetan said, but community support has been remarkable.
“I cannot tell you how many people have stopped me to offer me cash for a new generator,” she said. “I asked them to donate to one of the festival’s events and come enjoy them.”
Kevin Kapetan, vehicle coordinator for the Sequim Irrigation Festival, readies a recently donated generator from Tacoma Diesel for the festival’s royalty float. “They were very, very helpful,” he said of the company. “Lots of people in the community wanted to help. We recommend they give to the festival in another way.” Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash
Crazy Daze Breakfast
As is tradition, Crazy Daze Breakfast kicks off the festival with fun skits and songs from community members at 7 a.m. Friday, May 3, in Sunland Golf & Country Club’s clubhouse.
The name serves as a homage to D.R. Callen, one of the pioneers of Sequim’s irrigation. Costumes are encouraged with tickets available at the door and in advance from First Federal Sequim branches, Sound Community Bank and the Sequim Visitors Information Center. Cost is $12 per adult and $ 8 per child with breakfast included. Award categories include: Director’s Award, Royalty Award, President’s Award, Pioneer Award, Best Costume, and Crazy Callen. For more information, call Jennifer Horton at 360-808-0073.
Members from Soroptimist International of Sequim perform a musical number at the Crazy Daze Breakfast in 2017. The event returns at 7 a.m. May 3 at the Sunland Golf and Country Club. Sequim Gazette file photo
Kids Parade
On Saturday, May 4, the day begins with staging for the Kids Parade between 9-9:15 a.m. behind Washington Federal at the corner of Washington Street and Second Avenue. Prizes go to children with the best storybook character, pet entry, mini-floats, festival theme and best entry overall. Awards are given out at the Arts and Crafts Fair entertainment stage on Cedar Street next to the Sequim Civic Center.
A preview of the operetta “Legally Blonde” follows at 9:45 a.m. The parade is free to enter.
Members of the 2017 Sequim High School robotics team show off their ‘bot’s ability to project into the air plastic balls at the Family Fun Day. Dozens of vendors and groups offer family friendly activities at Family Fun Day on May 4. Sequim Gazette file photo by Michael Dashiell
Family Fun Day
Family Fun Day features music and events from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. along Washington Street between Sequim Avenue and Second Avenue with dozens of vendors with family friendly activities.
Performances line the day as well with Aspire Academy at 11 a.m., Joyful Noise at noon, Mr. Silly Gilly at 1 p.m., crown making with the festival royalty at 1:30 p.m. and Bodystrong Tae Kwon-Do Academy at 3 p.m.. A cake walk begins at 11 a.m. All booths are free.
Arts and Crafts Fair
Patrons can enjoy Sequim’s art side for three days with the Innovative Arts and Crafts Fair with a First Friday Art Walk Patron Preview from 5-8 p.m. Friday, May 3, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, May 4, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, May 5, at the Sequim Civic Center’s plaza.
Organizers say the fair emphasizes reusability, repurpose and recycling, as well as fine art and one-of-a-kind crafts. Visitors are invited to enter creative works and/or vote during the Innovative Reuse Showcase and Contest. Artists can enter to win in the People’s Choice Awards in four categories: Wearable, Functional, Decorative, and Kids 15 and under.
For more information, visit www.irrigationfestival.com or call Kelly at 360-461-3950. Creations can be dropped off Friday night or early Saturday.
The Innovative Arts & Crafts Fair returns to the Sequim Civic Center Plaza on Friday night and Saturday-Sunday to offer live music, demonstrations and dozens of unique vendors. Submitted photo
Demonstrations and entertainment flow through the event as well.
Entertainment on Saturday includes: Buttercup Lane at 10 a.m., Olympic Mountain Cloggers at 11 a.m., The Ryder Band at noon, Cool Jam at 2 p.m. and The Free Rangers at 3 p.m. On Sunday, Jim Basnight Solo plays at 10 a.m., Caribe Steel Band at 11 a.m., Just in Tyme at 1 p.m., The Shaky Barbers at 2 p.m. and the Sequim High School Jazz Ensemble at 3 p.m.
Demonstrations on Saturday include Reuse and Recycle Creativity at 10 a.m., The Strait Turners at 11:30 a.m. and Olympic Driftwood Sculptors at 2 p.m.; and Megan Davis at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Genaveve Starr at 10:30 a.m. and Brad Griffith at 1 p.m.
Other events
• Peninsula Driftwood Artists host its 50th annual show at Pioneer Memorial Park, 387 E. Washington St., from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. They’ll showcase driftwood pieces for display and sale along with a raffle.
• The First Friday Art Walk hosts various art openings and music displays in downtown Sequim from 5-8 p.m. Friday, May 3. For more information, visit http://www.sequimartwalk.com/.
• Sequim High School’s operetta “Legally Blonde” begins its three-week run at 7 p.m. Friday, May 3, at the SHS Auditorium, 533 N. Sequim Ave. Shows run at 7 p.m. May 3-4, 10-11 and 17; and 2 p.m. May 12 and 18-19. Tickets available at the door and online at https://shsoperetta.ludus.com/index.php.
Next week, The Grand Finale Weekend May 9-12, continues with multiple events including the carnival, Logging Show in its 30th year, Grand Parade and more.
For more information, visit www.irrigationfestival.com.
Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.
Sherry Dixon helps Cameron Ferrier hook a prize at the Applebee’s booth at the 2017 Family Fun Day. Free family friendly activities line Washington Street on Saturday. Sequim Gazette file photo by Michael Dashiell
