After a long and cold winter, the Irrigation Festival season is starting anew.

The pageant went off without a hitch last month, naming this year’s fabulous four: queen Holly Hudson and princesses Meghan Gammel, Elisha Elliott and Lindsay Merrell.

The kickoff dinner – Saturday, March 28, in Club Seven at 7 Cedars Casino – is the first of many events for the community to meet and greet the royal court.

The dinner and auction fundraiser also is a chance to meet the 2009 grand marshal Jeri Smith, grand pioneers John Jarvis and Margaret Eberle Lotzgesell, and honorary pioneer Cliff Vining and remember recently deceased honorary grand pioneer Mary Schott – although many people in the community might already know them.

Tickets cost $30 and must be purchased in advance at KeyBank, Frick’s Drugs, or the visitor’s center.

Event proceeds will benefit the royal court: helping pay for travel, food and lodging expenses while on the road attending parades, and scholarships for participating in the experience.

The 2009 festival theme is

"Sequim: A Magical Place."

For more information or for

a complete list of upcoming events, go online to www.

irrigationfestival.com.