The state’s longest running festival kept tradition on Saturday, March 26, with a grand entrance for its smoking new ride for Sequim’s royalty.

Float crew rolled out the Sequim Irrigation Festival’s steamboat created by designer Guy Horton and crew Kevin Kapetan, Mark Ostroot and Jeff Gumm prior to the Kick Off Dinner at 7 Cedars Casino.

Horton said it took 53 days from start to finish with more than 800 hours put into it.

“It’s far and away the best one I’ve done,” Horton said.

The steamboat follows this year’s theme “Looking to the Future Through the Past” and the steam punk/mechanical vibe, Horton said.

Irrigation Festival volunteers said in researching the float they found more than 200 registered vessels powered by steam and propelled by a paddlewheel that operated in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Horton said included in the design are hydraulic lifts for the third and fourth decks, a commercial-grade smoke machine on the third deck operated by remote control and lights throughout that “look great at night.”

Festival royalty and a large crowd greeted the steamboat with cheers. Funds from the dinner go mostly to taking the float to 18 planned parades and events in the coming year.

At the dinner, locals and current and past royalty and dignitaries participated in silent and live auctions to help support the festival.

The Sequim Irrigation Festival begins on May 6 with the Crazy Daze Breakfast and ends on May 15. The grand parade, which draws about 120 entries, is May 14. The annual operetta, this year “Cinderella,” runs April 28-May 14.

For more information, visit www.irrigationfestival.com.