Lavender fans and farmers keep the fun going

Newcomers and seasoned harvesters made the most of clear skies and pleasant weather for the 2023 Sequim Lavender Weekend.

There was plenty for the senses to experience with 18 farms to tour, Lavender in the Park, the Sunbonnet Sue Quilt Club’s show, a lavender melodrama concluding its run at Olympic Theatre Arts, the “9 to 5 the Musical” debuting at Sequim High School, and much more.

See more of our weekend photos here.

Katie Benitez of Lacey said she visited Sequim’s lavender farms for the first time on July 22 and had visited five so far while taking photos in the lavender at Old Barn Lavender Farm.

“I love it,” she said. “I’m totally coming back.”

Old Barn, 9785 Old Olympic Highway, is one of three new farms open to the public this summer, including Gnomelicious Lavender Farm, 258914 U.S. Highway 101, and Olympic Bluffs Cidery and Lavender Farm, 1025 Finn Hall Road, Port Angeles.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Katie Benitez of Lacey snaps a selfie in the lavender at Old Barn Lavender Farm on July 22. She visited several farms with her family and said she loved it. “I’m totally coming back,” she said.

Melissa and David Herbelin, owners of Old Barn Lavender Farm, said they were pleasantly surprised by the turnout and a good mix of out-of-town and local visitors.

“Quite a few locals came by to see the barn, welcome us to Sequim and congratulate us on our progress so far,” Melissa said. “It truly shows what a great community we have here when strangers cheer you on without any skin in the game; just the pure kindness of well wishes.”

Ginger Wierzbanowski, Olympic Bluffs co-owner, said Lavender Weekend exceeded their expectations “ten-fold.”

“We had over 1,000 cars on Saturday,” she said. “It was pretty darn magical. People definitely felt the community focus we hoped to achieve.”

At Gnomelicious, co-owner Katina Hester said the weekend went well too.

“We had a good number of guests and everybody had a really great time,” she said.

Visitors especially enjoyed their scavenger hunt, turkeys and sweet peas, Hester said, and they complimented their farm layout often.

“I really enjoyed having everybody out to the farm and was very happy to be able to share our beautiful little oasis with them,” she said.

She and her daughter will harvest most of their lavender in the next week, but plan to leave one plant of each variety unharvested for visitors to experience along with wildflowers, dahlias, sweet peas and pollinator gardens through Aug. 27.

With both Meli’s Lavender Farm, 62 W. Diane Dr., and a booth at Lavender in the Park open, Sergio Gonzalez — Meli’s Lavender co-owner and president of the Sequim Lavender Growers Association — said the farm sold out of almost everything.

“Lots of people stopped by and they were looking to create and design their own lavender wreaths,” Gonzalez said. “That was our main focus.”

He said the turnout was much improved from 2022.

“I want to say it was like that for everyone,” Gonzalez said.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash Kim Trenerry and Jason Mogi perform as part of Joy in Mudville on July 21 at Victor’s Barn Dance during a packed show.

Scott Nagel, events and marketing manager for Victor’s Lavender Farm, said the farm’s attendance continues to grow post-Covid-19, and revenues were up 20 percent from last year.

Their Friday night party with Joy in Mudville was their largest ever with more than 300 people and crowds continued through the weekend, he said.

“The energy level and enthusiasm of the visitors was very satisfying,” Nagel said.

“We talked to so many people who loved the farms and Sequim. They just want to get out of the city.

“Folks commented on how friendly everyone was on the farms and in town and person after person as they left the farm, said, “we will be back next year.”

“Sequim Lavender Weekend is a serious travel destination.”

Barbara Hanna, the city of Sequim’s communications and marketing director who helps coordinate weekend promotions under the Sequim Lavender Weekend banner, said generally “everything went well.”

“From our perspective, there were no concerns,” Hanna said. “Down at the park over the weekend, it was very well attended and people seemed to be having a lot of fun and at several of the farms I went to.”

Marianne Nolte, co-show organizer for the Sunbonnet Sue Quilt Club, said they had a great turnout for their one-day show with a receptive audience at Pioneer Memorial Park.

With winds kicking up, she said they’re considering some ideas to improve displays in 2023.

Traffic trouble

As for traffic to and from Sequim, one sizable incident affected drivers on U.S. Highway 101 on Friday, July 21, in Jefferson County. Christine I. Schmidt, 79, of Port Hadlock, was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle after being involved in a two-vehicle wreck just north of Discovery Bay, the State Patrol reported.

Schmidt was driving a 2018 Ford Focus southbound on U.S. Highway 101 at Orcas Drive while Michael M. Choi, 47, of Auburn was driving a 2003 Lincoln Navigator northbound and towing a 2022 Kyrv Passport trailer.

Schmidt’s Focus crossed the centerline in front of Choi, causing him to swerve toward the center turn lane, State Patrol reports, and her car struck the guardrail, bounced and struck the right side of the trailer.

She was flown around 12:15 p.m. with unknown injuries to Seattle with her condition unavailable Monday afternoon. Choi and his three passengers were not injured.

Schmidt faces charges of second-degree negligent driving, third-degree driving while her license was suspended and driving without insurance, according to the memo.

All involved were wearing seatbelts, the State Patrol said.

As for the rest of the weekend, Chief Criminal Deputy Amy Bundy with Clallam County Sheriff’s Office said there were no sizable incidents in Clallam County for lavender and other travelers.

Battalion Chiefs Stef Anderson and Elliott Jones with Clallam County Fire District 3 said there were no major incidents related to lavender festivities Friday through Sunday besides a few aid calls at venues and a small traffic wreck in Carlsborg. There was also a strong volunteer firefighter and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) presence in Carrie Blake Community Park that didn’t request the department’s assistance, Jones said.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell Sheethal Saidhar of Seattle picks some lavender at Purple Haze Lavender Farm’s U-cut field on July 23.

Sequim Lavender Farms

Most farms are open through the summer and some throughout the year. Most offer online shops. To verify hours, contact each farm or visit their website. For more on Sequim Lavender Weekend, visit sequimlavenderweekend.com.

• B&B Family Farm, 5883 Old Olympic Highway; Contact: 360-504-2585, bbfamilyfarm.com.

• Fat Cat Garden & Gifts, 21 Fat Cat Lane; Contact: fatcatmeow21@gmail.com.

• Fleurish Lavender of Lost Mountain, 1541 Taylor Cutoff Road; Contact: 360-681-2782, fleurishlavender.com.

• Gnomelicious Lavender Farm, 258914 U.S. Highway 101; Contact: emailus@gnomelicious.com, gnomelicious.com.

• Graysmarsh Farm, 6187 Woodcock Road; Contact: 360-683-5563, graysmarsh.com.

• In Bloom Lavender Farms, 1526 Marine Drive; Contact: 360-461-6464; inbloomlavenderfarms.com.

• Jardin du Soleil Lavender, 3832 Sequim-Dungeness Way; Contact: 360-582-1185, jardindusoleil.com.

• Kitty B’s Lavender Farm, 82 Cameron Acres Lane; Contact: 360-772-2062, kittyblavenderfarm.com.

• Lavender Connection, 1141 Cays Road; Contact: 360-681-6055, lavenderconnection.com.

• Meli’s Lavender, 62 W. Diane Drive; Contact: 360-461-9958, melislavender.com.

• Nelson’s Duckpond & Lavender Farm, 73 Humble Hill Road; Contact: 360-681-7727, nelsonsduckpond.com.

• Old Barn Lavender Company, 9785 Old Olympic Hwy.; Contact: oldbarnlavendercompany@gmail.com, Oldbarnlavendercompany.com.

• Olympic Bluffs Cidery and Lavender Farm, 1025 Finn Hall Road, Port Angeles; Contact: ginger@olympicbluffscidery.com, olympicbluffscidery.com.

• Purple Haze Lavender Farm, 180 Bell Bottom Lane; Contact: 360-809-9615, purplehazelavender.com.

• Rain Shadow Lavender Farm, 1410 Kitchen-Dick Road; Contact: 360-558-1352, rainshadowlavenderfarm.com.

• Rancho La Morada Lavender & Flower Farm, 1434 Marine Drive; Contact: 360-461-7679, facebook.com/Lavandamorada.

• Sunshine Herb & Lavender Farm, 274154 U.S. Highway 101; Contact: 360-683-6453, sunshinelavender.com.

• Victor’s Lavender Farm, 3743 Old Olympic Highway; Contact: 360-681-7930, victorslavender.com.

More information at sequimlavenderweekend.com.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash Braulio Sanchez of Gig Harbor takes a moment to snap a fun selfie at Victor’s Lavender Farm during a break in music at the July 21 barn dance with Joy in Mudville. He last visited Sequim in 2021 with his family, he said.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash Colleen Harris of Sequim looks at quilts for the first time at the Sunbonnet Sue Quilt Club’s annual show in Pioneer Memorial Park. Harris said she doesn’t quilt but admires those who can do it.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Janet Lenfant, this year’s featured quilter on right, speaks with Bertha Beattie of Port Angeles as her sister-in-law Susi Beattie of Sequim snaps a photo. Lenfant had 25-plus quilts and various bags she’s made on display at the Sunbonnet Sue Quilt Club’s annual show on July 22.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Kattia Teas and Natalie Sayre from Tacoma make a lavender bundle together at Graysmarsh Farm on July 22. At that point, they had bought berries from the farm and visited four other farms before a planned trip to Seattle to see Taylor Swift perform later in the night.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Heather LeBlanc from British Columbia, Canada, takes a selfie in the lavender at Graysmarsh Farm during a weekend getaway with her friends.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash Twenty-two-month old Alice Adams enjoys a visit to Meli’s Lavender with her great-grandma Barb Butcher on July 21. Butcher lives nearby and bought some soap for her family to enjoy.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Twenty-three-month-old Casey Clark of Sequim tries filling a sachet with lavender buds inside Old Barn Lavender Farm on July 22.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell Jake Reichner, right, explains his lavender distillation process to visitors from Edmonds at Purple Path Lavender on July 23.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Victor Gonzalez leads a class in proper cutting and care of lavender plants at Victor’s Lavender Farm on July 22.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Elaine McSherry-Bisla, right and Aoise, holding Bebe, enjoy a sunny afternoon at Fleurish Lavender of Lost Mountain on July 22.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Artist KawTee Wolfe dances in the fields as Purple Haze Lavender Farm’s U-cut field on July 23.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell Marissa Wood of Sequim, right, helps 9-year-old Rae-Ann Wood with some kite-flying at Olympic Bluff Cidery & Lavender Farm on July 22.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Will Jevne, left, and Joey Gish of the Sweater Weather Band offer tunes for visitors at Gnomelicious Lavender Farm on July 22.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Visitors enjoy a quiet afternoon stroll at Nelson’s Duckpond & Lavender Farm on July 22.

Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen Devin Eierman, Renny, a terrier mix, and Maya, a papillion, participate in the U-Pick at Rain Shadow Lavender Farm on Saturday.

Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen / Linda Newman of Kitty B’s Lavender helps clean up at the end of Lavender Weekend.

Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen The bees stayed busy at Kitty B’s Lavender all weekend.

Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen Robinson Smith, 4-and-a-half years old, had his face painted at Carrie Blake Community Park before visiting Kitty B’s Lavender for the U-Pick.

Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen / A family from Olympia, Aaron, Rabi and their two children, enjoyed the last moments of the Lavender Festival at Kitty B’s Lavender on Sunday.

Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen / Visiting B&B Family Farm from Bellevue, Daphne, Jeaneatte and Chunyon take photos of each other.

Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen Rob Schoenherr of B&B Family Farm explains the intricacies of the lavender business as part of a free tour during Lavender Weekend.

Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen / Danyel Waller and Andy Masters of Seattle enjoyed the B&B Family Farm’s barn during the Lavender Weekend.

Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen Harper Hilliker, Marlow Kendall and Sadie Miller of B&B Family Farm serve up lemonade by donation during Lavender Weekend.

Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce members, dignitaries, community members and Irrigation Festival royalty participate in the ribbon cutting and ceremonial lavender throw during the opening of the Lavender Festival.

Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen / Erick Evans, left, and Dr. Mack (Tom McCurdy), right, with their apprentice Heidi Slack holding the flag, play the bagpipes for the street festival crowd on opening day at Carrie Blake Park.

Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen / Hunter Patterson of Marakesh Leather makes holes in a custom belt at the Lavender Street Festival in Carrie Blake. Patterson’s family has sold leather belts and other items at the Pike Street Market since 1971.

Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen / Gracie the dancing dog and Jan Standish groove to tunes at the Lavender Festival opening day at Carrie Blake Park.

Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen Judy Geske of Sequim said, “I’m having one of the best days of 83 years,” at the Lavender in the Park (Street Fair) on Friday. Geske said she almost died recently, and “I’m so grateful for each and every day.”

Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen / Lilliana Robertson, 7-years-old, of Oklahoma, danced to the tunes of the WEPA Latin Trio during on Friday at the Lavender Street Fair in Carrie Blake Park.