Olympic Nature Experience hosted its 5th annual “Picnic Auction” on July 7 and raised $5,600 from this year’s event, the most funds raised from the event to date.

The funds go directly towards programming and tuition assistance for low income families. The Picnic Auction is an event where participants make and donate dinner for two people bundled in a picnic basket or specially decorated container. Participants bid on the baskets and eat their meals among the lavender fields at Jardin du Soleil helping children access education through nature at this yearly community gathering.

Scott Minckley and his two children Scarlett, 2, and Jackson, 4, have a picnic at Olympic Nature Experience’s 5th annual picnic auction on July 7 at Jardin du Soleil lavender farm. All proceeds of the program’s picnic and auction event benefitted Olympic Nature Experience. Sequim Gazette photo by Erin Hawkins