Irrigation Festival organizers see better than expected turnout

The smiles, parades, fireworks, and the people came back for the Sequim Irrigation Festival.

“We had excellent attendance both weekends,” festival executive director Julianne Coonts said.

“Everything went well. We were happy to be back in person.”

Organizers brought most of the events back after two years without most in-person events because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

See more pictures here.

The festival’s 127th iteration featured the Crazy Callen Weekend May 6-8 and the Grand Finale Weekend, May 12-15.

Rain held off for a bulk of the first weekend’s events and wind wasn’t enough to hinder activities, Coonts said. Some of the activities included Crazy Daze Breakfast for Dinner, the Kids Parade, Family Fun Day and the Innovative Arts and Crafts Fair.

With 92 entries in the Grand Parade on May 14, Coonts said they were close to past years’ participation levels.

“It was more than we expected,” she said.

Results for the parade are as follows:

• Mayor’s award, Clallam County Fair

• Chairman’s Award, Hoquiam Logging Festival

• President’s Award, Mason County Fair

• Governor’s Award, Fathoms Of Fun

• Commercial Float, Seventh-day Adventist Church

• Classic Cars, First 1960 Nash; second 1947 Cadillac; third Thunderbird

• Band, Tenino High School

• Patriotic, U.S. Marine Corps Patriotic Amphibious Vehicle

• Judge’s Special/Equestrian, Bower Blue Mountain Belgians

The Logging Show, featuring events May 13-14, had better than anticipated attendance, too, Coonts said, while the Fun Run last Saturday morning saw its most participants ever.

In the 5K run, Sequim’s Colin Feik took first at 20:24; followed by Tumwater’s Andrew Bowerly at 20:54. Sequim residents Eleanor Gould Jones placed third (21:06), Laura Gould, fourth (21:12), and Calvin Hutcheon fifth (21:49).

One more weekend

The Sequim High School operetta “Emma: A Pop Musical” ran both weekends of the festival and continues with shows this weekend at 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, May 20-21, and 2 p.m. Saturday, May 21. Tickets are $15 adults and $10 children at the door.

Looking ahead

Organizers plan to bring back the carnival, car show and car parade next year.

Coonts said they’ll be discussing adding more events to enhance the festival with a tentative announcement close to the beginning of 2023.

The theme for the 128th festival will be announced in the upcoming Visitor’s Guide printed in the Sequim Gazette on May 25.

The festival royalty and their float is set to appear at several events this summer, including the Port Townsend Rhododendron Festival on May 21, Shelton Forest Festival on June 4, and many more through October.

To volunteer, contact Amanda Cerutti at info@irrigationfestival.com.

Coonts said they thank everyone who helped the festival return with hundreds of volunteers helping in some capacity.

“The support of the community meant a lot to us,” she said.

“We also had a lot of the same sponsors and some new sponsors. We just really appreciate the support by both our sponsors, community and our volunteers.”

To volunteer and/or for updates, visit irrigationfestival.com.

The Thompson twins — Hazel and Jude — enjoy Saturday’s Grand Parade in style as part of the Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market entry. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell

Mini bike racers Ole Bekkevar, left, and Jeff Secord vie for a top finish at the Sequim Irrigation Festival Logging Show on May 13.

The Thompson twins — Hazel and Jude — enjoy Saturday’s Grand Parade in style as part of the Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market entry. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell

Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen

Dave Bekkevar, pictured at left emceeing the Sequim Irrigation Festival Logging Show on May 14, celebrates the show’s 2022 Honorary Logger, Del Gott. In 1987, Gott started Diamond Construction in Sequim and it is still going strong to this day, festival organizers note. Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen

Del Gott is honored at the 2022 Honorary Logger at the Sequim Irrigation Festival Logging Show on May 14. In 1987, Gott started Diamond Construction in Sequim and it is still going strong to this day, festival organizers note. Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash Lilee Perez, 5, grabs candy as the Sequim FFA walks by in the Sequim Irrigation Festival Grand Parade. Lilee’s grandma said they came to watch her older brother in the band.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Seven-month-old Elena Hueter enjoys her first Grand Parade from the shade with mom Ali.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Nineteen-month-old Ember Meier receives a balloon on Saturday during the Grand Parade.

Matthew Nash/Sequim Gazette Sequim Middle School and High School bands march by during the Grand Parade on May 14.

Helen Bucher, a member of the Sequim Prairie Grange for 75 years, waves to the crown at Saturday’s Sequim Irrigation Festival Grand Parade. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell

SEQUIM GAZETTE PHOTO BY Michael Dashiell This year’s Sequim Irrigation Festival royalty wave to the crowd at the fest’s Grand Parade on May 14. Pictured, from left, are princess Lauren Willis, queen Isabella Williams, and princesses Ellie Turner and Katherine Gould.

Michael Dashiell/Sequim Gazette Jean Wyatt, the 2022 Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year, waves to the crowd at Saturday’s Grand Parade, hitching a ride with Paul McHugh.

Michael Dashiell/Sequim Gazette The Sequim High School and Sequim Middle School bands, under the direction of George Rodes, entertains the Grand Parade crowd Saturday afternoon.

Michael Dashiell/Sequim Gazette Ed Matuska, a clown with the Olympic Peninsula Shriners, delights the Sequim Irigation Festival Grand Parade crowd with bubbles and smiles Saturday afternoon.