Royal pageantry returns to Sequim on March 6.
The Irrigation Festival Royalty Pageant at 7 p.m. Saturday will fill the Sequim High School auditorium, 601 N. Sequim Ave., with people eager to see and hear four young women compete for the title of Irrigation Festival queen. The other three will be festival princesses.
The Irrigation Festival Pageant is a scholarship event to select the royalty who will best represent the Sequim community. They accompany the Irrigation Festival float as it travels to parades throughout the state.
The young women volunteer their time by working with the festival committee and promoting community involvement.
This year’s hopefuls are Sarah Berkes, daughter of Ken and Paula Berkes, sponsored by Barbara Brown at Tender Touches; Ashley Fuentes, daughter of Milton and Mary Fuentes, sponsored by The Fifth Avenue Retirement Center; Fallon Schneider, daughter of Kim Schneider, sponsored by Tom Cole’s Plaza Jewelers; and Sierra Sheldon, daughter of Tara and Tony Bush, sponsored by William Wickline, O.D.
The four will start with a song and dance number they have rehearsed. Each will read an essay she has written, answering a question posed by the festival committee. They also will answer questions from master and mistress of ceremonies Brad Goode of KING-5 and Sequim recording artist Amanda Bacon.
An essay contest for third- grade students on why they like living in Sequim will determine junior royalty, who will be announced at the pageant.
The court from 2009 also will be on hand to sing and to discuss their year as festival royalty.
Irrigation Festival Pioneers will be introduced, and royalty from Port Townsend and the Clallam County Fair also will attend.
The winners of the button and logo designs will be announced. This year’s festival theme is "115 Years of Pioneers," conveyed with trains and railroading.
The winning logo design will be used on festival lapel pins, posters, float design, programs, advertising, the royalty pageant, and other festival events.
Tickets cost $5 at the door; at Solar City, 135 W. Washington St.; or Kitsap Bank, 990 E. Washington St. For more information call 683-6197 or visit IrrigationFestival.com.
