Library brings real-life royalty to library storytime

By Matthew Nash • July 31, 2024 1:30 am
Sequim Gazette photos by Matthew Nash Sequim Irrigation Festival queen Ariya Goettling, third from left, reads aloud at Storytime with the Royalty on July 23, in the Sequim Temporary Library with help from fellow princesses, Sophia Treece, Kailah Blake, and Ashlynn Northaven.
Sequim Gazette photos by Matthew Nash Sequim Irrigation Festival queen Ariya Goettling, third from left, reads aloud at Storytime with the Royalty on July 23, in the Sequim Temporary Library with help from fellow princesses, Sophia Treece, Kailah Blake, and Ashlynn Northaven.

Sequim’s littlest bookworms got the royal treatment at the Sequim Library on July 23, with a visit from the Sequim Irrigation Festival royalty.

Queen Ariya Goettling and princesses Kailah Blake, Ashlynn Northaven and Sophia Treece read picture books such as “Knight Owl” to the crowd, played with a parachute, and posed for photos with families.

Several royalty-to-be dressed up in their favorite outfits for the occasion, and colored and cut out crowns of their own.

Lynn Horton with the festival said they’ve been coming to Storytime with the Royalty since 2015 following queen Megan O’Mera’s platform.

After the event, royalty went to Bibity Bobity – A Kids Place in Carlsborg to read to children, too.

NOLS’ Family Storytime continues at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, and resumes at the same time on Tuesdays, starting Sept. 3, in the Sequim Library’s temporary location at 609 W. Washington St., Unit 21. It’s recommended for babies, toddlers and preschool-aged children.

For more information on NOLS’ events, visit nols.org.

For more about the Sequim Irrigation Festival, visit irrigationfestival.com.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Sequim Irrigation Festival royalty, from left, princess Sophia Treece, princess Kailah Blake, and queen Ariya Goettling, enjoy a fun moment with dressed-up participants at Storytime with the Royalty. Not pictured is fellow princess Ashlynn Northaven.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Sequim Irrigation Festival royalty, from left, princess Sophia Treece, princess Kailah Blake, and queen Ariya Goettling, enjoy a fun moment with dressed-up participants at Storytime with the Royalty. Not pictured is fellow princess Ashlynn Northaven.

Two-year-old Rowan Grinnell enjoys playing with a parachute during Storytime with the Royalty on July 23 in the Sequim Temporary Library. His mom Martha said they try to come every week for Storytime.

Two-year-old Rowan Grinnell enjoys playing with a parachute during Storytime with the Royalty on July 23 in the Sequim Temporary Library. His mom Martha said they try to come every week for Storytime.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Sequim Irrigation Festival queen Ariya Goettling takes a photo with Parker and Finley during the North Olympic Library System’s Storytime with the Royalty event.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Sequim Irrigation Festival queen Ariya Goettling takes a photo with Parker and Finley during the North Olympic Library System’s Storytime with the Royalty event.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Sandi Shaw helps her granddaughter Sienna Shappie, 3, make a crown during the North Olympic Library System’s Storytime with the Royalty event. Shaw said she and granddaughters come all the time to the library.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Sandi Shaw helps her granddaughter Sienna Shappie, 3, make a crown during the North Olympic Library System’s Storytime with the Royalty event. Shaw said she and granddaughters come all the time to the library.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Sequim Irrigation Festival royalty and participants of Storytime with the Royalty enjoy playing with a parachute on July 23.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Sequim Irrigation Festival royalty and participants of Storytime with the Royalty enjoy playing with a parachute on July 23.