Sequim Lavender Weekend returns with full slate of events

By Matthew Nash • July 19, 2023 1:30 am
Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash Sergio Gonzalez, owner of Meli’s Lavender and president of the Sequim Lavender Growers Association, preps lavender wreaths for this year’s Sequim Lavender Festival. He said with nicer weather this summer he had to harvest much sooner than last year. His family will host a booth at Lavender in the Park in Carrie Blake Community Park and open his farm July 21-23.
Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash Sergio Gonzalez, owner of Meli’s Lavender and president of the Sequim Lavender Growers Association, preps lavender wreaths for this year’s Sequim Lavender Festival. He said with nicer weather this summer he had to harvest much sooner than last year. His family will host a booth at Lavender in the Park in Carrie Blake Community Park and open his farm July 21-23.

Lavender fields and farmers are ready for the masses.

Streams of people have already been coming to farms throughout the summer as the popular plant has been blooming across the area. The timing is about right for the 2023 Lavender Weekend, July 21-23, the biggest visitor draw of the year to the Sequim area.

This year, 18 farms are open to tour, including three new ones: Gnomelicious Lavender Farm, Old Barn Lavender Company, and Olympic Bluffs Cidery and Lavender Farm.

Barbara Hanna, the city of Sequim’s communications and marketing director, said having new farms is exciting.

“The addition of new farms indicates to me how healthy the lavender industry is in Sequim and that there is still a lot of enthusiasm for the experience and the products,” she said.

Farms all offer unique experiences, including U-cut lavender, products, vendors, music and more. Most are open through the summer and some just for the weekend.

Three host their own independent events for an entrance fee: In Bloom Lavender Farms ($10 admission for all three days with free U-cut bundle; 12 and younger free); Jardin du Soleil ($10 admission for all three days, 12 and younger free); and Purple Haze Lavender Farm ($5 per day, 10 and younger free).

All other lavender farms have free entrance that weekend.

The Sequim Lavender Festival, first held Aug. 2, 1997, returns to Carrie Blake Community Park with music, vendors and a plethora of activities.

Lavender in the Park, formerly known as the weekend’s Street Fair, was part of the festival’s beginnings and helped festivities grow into a three day event along with farm tours and events the same weekend and/or throughout the summer.

Sergio Gonzalez, owner of Meli’s Lavender and president of the Sequim Lavender Growers Association, said they’ve more than doubled their vendor count from last year to about 170.

“It’s gonna be a lot better,” he said.

Among its many highlights, include a free Street Dance with Black Diamond Junction at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 22, in the James Center for the Performing Arts. Vendors are open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Free parking is offered at the entrance to Blake Avenue, Olympic View Church and along city streets.

A free in-city shuttle bus runs during vendor hours at Sequim High School, the Sequim Civic Center, Olympic View Church, the intersection of Second Avenue and Washington Street, and Carrie Blake Community Park.

Other events

Gonzalez’s brother Victor of Victor’s Lavender Farm offers free barn dances with Joy in Mudville on Friday, July 21, and Sound Advice on Saturday, both starting at 7 p.m.

Olympic Theatre Arts offers BZ Paint and Sip of lavender fields at 11:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday (fee applies) and “Lavender Lawlessness: A Lavender Melodrama” at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday 7 pm, and 2 p.m. Sunday, with tickets available at olympictheatrearts.org

The Sequim Farmers & Artisans Market is open at the Sequim Civic Center from noon-5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Cedarbrook Lavender Store in downtown Sequim also offers classes and demonstrations throughout the weekend.

The Sunbonnet Sue Quilt Show displays club members’ quilts from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday in Pioneer Memorial Park, for a $5 suggested donation.

For a full list of details, visit sequimlavenderweekend.com.

Sequim’s lavender farms

Editor’s note: Some farms have special hours for Lavender Weekend. Visit their website for more information.-MD

• B&B Family Farm, 5883 Old Olympic Highway; open 9 a.m.-5 p.m.daily through Sept. 30. Free admission. Contact: 360-504-2585, bbfamilyfarm.com.

• Fat Cat Garden & Gifts, 21 Fat Cat Lane; open 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. through Oct. 31, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Free admission. Contact: fatcatmeow21@gmail.com.

• Fleurish Lavender of Lost Mountain, 1541 Taylor Cutoff Road; open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday-Monday through Labor Day. Free admission. Contact: 360-681-2782, fleurishlavender.com.

• Gnomelicious Lavender Farm, 258914 U.S. Highway 101; open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday through Aug. 27. Free admission. Contact: emailus@gnomelicious.com, gnomelicious.com.

• Graysmarsh Farm, 6187 Woodcock Road; Open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday through September. Free admission. Contact: 360-683-5563, graysmarsh.com.

• In Bloom Lavender Farms, 1526 Marine Drive; open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 15-17 with $10 admission for all three days, children under 12 free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, through Sept. 1; $10 admission for all three days July 21-23 with children 12 and under free; free admission the rest of the year. Contact: 360-461-6464; inbloomlavenderfarms.com.

• Jardin du Soleil Lavender, 3832 Sequim-Dungeness Way; Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily in July; open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through October 1. $10 admission for all three days July 21-23 with children 12 and under free; free admission the rest of the year. Contact: 360-582-1185, jardindusoleil.com.

• Kitty B’s Lavender Farm, 82 Cameron Acres Lane; open daily 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. through July 23. Free admission. Contact: 360-772-2062, kittyblavenderfarm.com.

• Lavender Connection, 1141 Cays Road; open 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday-Monday through Labor Day. Free admission. Contact: 360-681-6055, lavenderconnection.com.

• Meli’s Lavender, 62 W. Diane Drive; open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through August, and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. July 21-23. Free admission. Contact: 360-461-9958, melislavender.com.

• Nelson’s Duckpond & Lavender Farm, 73 Humble Hill Road; open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Free admission. Contact: 360-681-7727, nelsonsduckpond.com.

• Old Barn Lavender Company, 9785 Old Olympic Hwy.; open noon-4 p.m Friday-Sunday, through Sept. 4; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 21-23. Free admission. Contact: oldbarnlavendercompany@gmail.com, Oldbarnlavendercompany.com.

• Olympic Bluffs Cidery and Lavender Farm, 1025 Finn Hall Road, Port Angeles; open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, through Labor Day; Free admission. Contact: ginger@olympicbluffscidery.com, olympicbluffscidery.com.

• Purple Haze Lavender Farm, 180 Bell Bottom Lane; open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through Sept. 30. $5 admission July 21-23 for all three days. Children 10 and under free. Free admission rest of the year. Closed Mondays. Contact: 360-809-9615, purplehazelavender.com.

• Rain Shadow Lavender Farm, 1410 Kitchen-Dick Road; open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. through July 29. Free admission. Contact: 360-558-1352, rainshadowlavenderfarm.com.

• Rancho La Morada Lavender & Flower Farm, 1434 Marine Drive; open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free admission. Contact: 360-461-7679, facebook.com/Lavandamorada.

• Sunshine Herb & Lavender Farm, 274154 U.S. Highway 101; open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through the summer; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. remainder of year. Free admission. Contact: 360-683-6453, sunshinelavender.com.

• Victor’s Lavender Farm, 3743 Old Olympic Highway; open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, through Aug. 31; barn dances 7-10 p.m. July 21-22. Free admission; Contact: 360-681-7930, victorslavender.com.

More information at sequimlavenderweekend.com.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash Rick Olson, co-owner of Lavender Connection, shows visitors some essential oils that his family harvested and distilled from their lavender. They’ll offer an “Invent your scent” station during Sequim Lavender Weekend July 21-23.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash Rick Olson, co-owner of Lavender Connection, shows visitors some essential oils that his family harvested and distilled from their lavender. They’ll offer an “Invent your scent” station during Sequim Lavender Weekend July 21-23.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Visitors can purchase lavender starts, such as this Grosso at Meli’s Lavender, at most lavender farms this weekend and through the summer.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Visitors can purchase lavender starts, such as this Grosso at Meli’s Lavender, at most lavender farms this weekend and through the summer.