After snow early this week, there’s no better time for some warm, sunny vibes than with the Sunshine Festival, returning to town this weekend.

Now in its fifth year, the festival features its popular attractions — illuminated drone show, live music, fun run and more — on March 1 and 2.

Organizers said they’re excited to continue the event, which started as an offseason attraction to celebrate celebrate “Sunny Sequim” and the incoming spring and summer seasons.

Rain and snow came down during a portion of the festival last year, with most events continuing as planned. Barbara Hanna, Sequim’s communications and marketing director, said the festival’s planning committee has accounted for any possible inclement weather by bringing more events undercover as needed, so that “people can enjoy the festival, regardless of the weather.”

The Guy Cole Event Center in Carrie Blake Community Park, 202 N. Blake Ave., will host live music (noon-7:50 p.m. Saturday), the Sunshine Market (10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday), and a beer and wine garden, with several food vendors in and outside the venue.

New this year, there will be a pet costume contest at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2, near the Sequim Dog Park.

There will also be a Fables Workshop from 1-4 p.m. Saturday outside the Guy Cole Center in a large tent, with Ginny Holladay and her puppet Bellica offering activity kits with colorful yarn for children to keep and enjoy (while supplies last).

Also new are free family-friendly activities from local nonprofits inside and outside the market providing multiple crafts, lighthouse and catapult-making opportunities.

Drone show

Firefly Drone Shows will display 200 illuminated drones once again starting at 7 p.m. Saturday.

They’ll fly about 400 feet in the air above the park’s baseball fields with music synced to the drones through speakers.

KSQM FM 91.5 will also broadcast the music live so viewers can listen via radio or cell phone.

Fun Run

Registration remains open for the Sun Fun Color Run with day of registration available.

The events begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, with registration in-person or in advance at runsignup.com/Race/WA/Sequim/SunFunColorRun.

There are 1k and 5k options with color stations along the course for runners, walkers and strollers. Registration includes a T-shirt, race bib, finisher medal, sunglasses, a neck gator, and a starting line color blast bag. There will be a warming tent at the Albert Haller Fields if needed.

For more information, contact race director Victoria Jones at vabjones@gmail.com.

Music

On Friday from 7-9 p.m., the Navy Band Northwest Popular Music Group will perform in the Gathering Hall at Olympic Theatre Arts, 414 N. Sequim Ave.

Throughout Saturday, musicians play inside the Guy Cole Event Center. From noon-2 p.m. the Buck Ellard Band plays, followed by kid-favorite Harmonica Pocket from 2:15-3:45 p.m. Dawn and Steve play popular songs in the 1950s-1970s from 4-5:30 p.m.

Black Diamond Junction performs from 5:35-7 p.m. and 7:20-7:50 p.m., with the drone show in between.

Other events

On Friday, Sequim mayor Brandon Janisse will lead a ribbon cutting at 5 p.m. with the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce on the Civic Center Plaza. A presentation by Jamestown S’Klallam tribal citizen ƛ̕əw’cən Mackenzie Grinnell follows.

The Interactive Light Experience Exhibit continues inside Pioneer Park Memorial Clubhouse, 387 E. Washington St., from 5-8 p.m. Friday, and noon-6:30 p.m. Saturday. Artist Ross Brown created the displays and will also have a light display in Carrie Blake Community Park.

The First Friday Art Walk also continues its tradition from 5-8 p.m. in and near downtown Sequim.

At the park from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, people can also participate in the community street mural in the pedestrian walkway between the playgrounds.

Sponsors

Sound Community Bank has agreed to be title sponsors of the Illuminated Drone Show, while Peninsula Behavioral Health has sponsored the Sun Fun Color Run, and Clallam PUD the Interactive Light Experience.

Each agency contributed $5,000 to support the event.

For more information about the Sequim Sunshine Festival, visit visitsunnysequim.com, or look for a special section insert around the community.

Sequim Gazette file photo by Michael Dashiell Runners receive color splashes during the Sun Fun Color Run at 2023’s Sequim Sunshine Festival. Registration is still open for the event in-person and online at visitsunnysequim.com.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash The Interactive Light Experience exhibit continues on March 1-2 inside the Pioneer Memorial Park Clubhouse for the Sequim Sunshine Festival.