Smiles beamed along with the sunshine for the Grand Finale of the Sequim Irrigation Festival.
As Washington state’s longest continuous festival, Sequim celebrated its 124th year for bringing irrigation waters from the Dungeness River to area farmers with the theme, “There’s No Place Like Home.”
See more photos from the weekend here.
For its final weekend May 9-12, organizers offered a carnival, parade, car show and cruise, logging show, strongman competition, fun run/walk and more.
“Everything went great,” said Deon Kapetan, Sequim Irrigation Festival executive director. “I think we had a fantastic turnout especially on the parade route. The weather always helps with that.”
Kapetan said the Grand Parade on May 11 saw one of its largest turnouts in recent years with 136 entries.
“We had quite a few bands this year, which was great because each year it seemed there was a downturn because of different schools’ funding being cut for travel,” she said.
“We also had more floats this year along with some great local entries. It’s nice to have more local stuff. Everyone wants to see their family members.”
Based on “The Wizard of Oz,” the festival’s royalty float worked well too with a new donated generator; the original was stolen in April.
Following their hometown parade, Sequim’s royalty have 14 more parades to visit this summer, Kapetan said.
Results from several festival events were still being compiled by press time, so look for full results in the May 22 edition and at www.irrigationfestival.com.
Festival organizers say they are always looking for new volunteers, committee members and float builders. A volunteer sheet is available on the website or by emailing to info@irrigationfestival.com.
Kapetan said volunteers continue to run the festival and that “if you see one of our volunteers or many community service members, say, ‘Thank you.’ They did an amazing job.”
Next year’s 125th festival runs May 1-10, 2020, and already has a tag line: “125 the Fields are Alive.” Board members will decide on a storyline for the festival in June, too.
As tradition, the Sequim High School’s operetta closes out the festival with this year’s show “Legally Blonde” running at 7 p.m. Friday, May 17, and 2 p.m. May 18-19. Tickets available at the door and online at shsoperetta.ludus.com.
Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.
Monroe Nichols, 5, of Sequim, is all smiles after getting her hands on a watermelon that was spared a smashing fate at the Sequim Irrigation Festival Logging Show on May 11. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell
Nelson Bekkevar helps Adalie Eastburn, 9, of Sequim, move a bit of dirt at the Sequim Irrigation Festival Logging Show on May 11. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell
Fireworks light up the sky at the Sequim Logging Show venue on May 10. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell
Pat Mahoney gets to chopping in a Sequim Irrigation Festival Logging Show competition on May 11. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell
Tim and Kayana Harrison help 2-year-old Austin Williams work on his log-gathering skills at the Sequim Irrigation Festival Logging Show last weekend. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell
More than 70 runners, joggers and walkers turned out for the 2019 Sequim Irrigation Fun Run 5k and 1-mile race on May 11. Colby Ellofson won the 5k in 18 minutes, 44 seconds. See full results at www.sequimgazette.com. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell
Ceci and Mia Buhrer celebrate as they cross the finish line after finishing the Sequim Irrigation Fun Run 1-mile race on May 11. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell
Sequim Irrigation Festival royalty — from left, princesses Brianna Cowan, Kjirstin Foresman and Shelby Wells and queen Emily Silva — wave to an adoring crowd at the 2019 Grand Parade on May 11. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell
Sequim Irrigation Festival royalty — from left, princesses Brianna Cowan, Kjirstin Foresman and Shelby Wells and queen Emily Silva — wave to an adoring crowd at the 2019 Grand Parade on May 11. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell
Bruce and Barbara Fernie, 2019 Sequim Irrigation Festival Grand Pioneers, wave to the crowd at Saturday’s Grand Parade. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell
Ellis Hueter and mom Meghan enjoy the Sequim Irrigation Festival Grand Parade on May 11. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell
Dalton Ross of Port Angeles waves his 12th Man flag as the Dungeness Seahawkers group passes by during the Sequim Irrigation Festival Grand Parade on May 11. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell
The Sumner Marching Band and Flag Team entertains the Sequim Irrigation Festival Grand Parade crowd on May 11. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell
The U.S. Navy-themed Bremerton High School dance/drill team and band entertain the parade-going crowd in Sequim on May 11. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell
Michael Echternkamp — aka” Sequim’s Rockin’ Realtor — plays for the Irrigation Festival Grande Parade crowd. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell
Alyssa L’Ami, 7, of Sequim waves to her dad while riding the Merry-Go-Round with her mom Riki, right, on Mother’s Day at the Irrigation Festival’s carnival. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash
Sisters Angel, 13, and Savannah Wagner, 8, race their mom Natalie Topham down the Super Slide on Mother’s Day. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash
Addy Thomas, 8, of Sequim, left, and London Wilkinson, 9, of Port Angeles, soar back and forth on a pirate ship during the carnival on May 12. The girls said the ride was “really cool.” Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash
Grayson Castell, 5, enjoys a hot dog courtesy of his family’s annual parade barbecue at Castell Insurance during the Sequim Irrigation Festival’s Grand Parade. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash
Honorary Irrigation Festival Pioneer Ron Newton was all smiles during the Grand Parade. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash
Adeline Fobian, 11, of Port Angeles, cheers for one of the many bands during the Irrigation Festival’s Grand Parade. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash
Hailey Collier, 15, holds her nephew River Bogie, 3, as they watch bands and floats go by in the Irrigation Festival’s Grand Parade. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash
Sophia Mager, 8, of Sequim dances and waves as she listens to bands go by in the Grand Parade. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash
A variety of classic, restored, and customized cars make their way down Washington Avenue as part of the annual Car Cruzz during the 2019 Irrigation Festival. Sequim Gazette photo by Conor Dowley
