About 140 people attended the Sequim Irrigation Festival kickoff dinner Saturday, March 27, at 7 Cedars Casino, and they opened their hearts and pockets in support of the longest-running festival in Washington.

Guy Horton (aka Mr. Festival Float) nudged individuals and groups to up their bids by $100 here, $100 there until the live auction ended with a take of $10,400. The silent auction, with baskets donated by individuals and businesses, made $1,700.

Linda Day George and Carol Aguirre, partners in Sequim Livery, donated two dinners for six. The royalty pins, for queen Fallon Schneider and princesses Ashley Fuentes and Sierra Shelden, brought between $600 and $700 each, but the surprise of the night was when princess Sarah Berkes’ pin sold for $2,000 from a combination of bidders.

"I think we did well, considering the economy," said Tawana Borden, chairwoman of the kickoff dinner committee.