The Sequim Irrigation Festival kickoff dinner attracted 166 guests and raised more than $14,000.

Proceeds benefit the 2009 royal court, helping pay for scholarships and travel, food and lodging expenses while on the road attending parades.

The annual dinner and auction event - held March 28 - wasn't record-breaking but was definitely successful, said Tawana Borden, event chairwoman.

"I've had a really good response from everybody on the decorations and overall ambiance," she said.

"The girls wore their dresses for the first time and all said they had a great time."

Guy Horton was master of ceremonies and served as auctioneer.

Grand marshal Jeri Smith, grand pioneers John Jarvis and Margaret Eberle Lotzgesell, and honorary pioneer Cliff Vining attended, as well as the family of honorary grand pioneer Mary Schott, who died Feb. 17.

Following tradition, attendees bid on lapel pins and merchandise. The highest bidder was Walt Schubert, former Sequim mayor, who paid $1,000 for queen Holly Hudson's pin.

Joe Borden, Hattie Dixon, Mayor Laura Dubois, Bill Littlejohn, Brown Maloney, John Sakas and Jerry Sinn also purchased pins.

Borden made a personal announcement asking to buy pin No. 40. He later presented the pin to his wife, Tawana, in recognition of their 40th wedding anniversary.

Littlejohn presented his special numbered pin to this year's grand marshal, Jeri Smith.

The event was such a success that organizers already have reserved the 7 Cedars Casino Club Seven room for March 20, 2010 - a week earlier than usual.

"Save the date!" Borden said.

For more information about the 114th annual

Sequim Irrigation Festival - May 2-10 - and upcoming events, go online to www.

irrigationfestival.com.

Ashley Miller can be reached at ashleyo@sequim gazette.com.