And with another Grand Finale Weekend finished, the 129th Sequim Irrigation Festival maintains its record as Washington state’s longest continuous running festival.
Thousands of people saw bands, royalty, and more march in the Grand Parade, 213 cool cars shine at the Classic Car Show, and loggers scale and cut trees at the Sequim Logging Show.
Watch the Grand Parade here. See more pictures here.
Vickie Maples, the festival’s executive director, said its committee extends their appreciation and thanks to the community for their fantastic support and participation.
“After a wet and windy Crazy Callen weekend at Carrie Blake Park and a warm and sunny Grand Finale Weekend, we are already gearing up to celebrate 130 years in 2025,” she said.
“Our thanks to the many, many volunteers who give up their time and energy every year to make all of these events happen, and a grateful thanks for the generosity of our sponsors who enable us to bring two fun-filled weekends of activities and entertainment to our community.”
This year’s festivities started with picking the royalty in February — queen Ariya Goettling and princesses Kailah Blake, Ashlynn Northaven and Sophia Treece — followed by the royalty’s float unveiling and the festival’s Kickoff Dinner and Auction in March.
These led up to the festival’s two weekends — Crazy Callen Weekend and the Grand Finale Weekend.
Nelson Bekkevar, whose family organizes the annual Sequim Logging Show, said the even was a success thanks to local sponsors.
“Timber is such a great renewable resource,” he said, as logging show events wrapped on the Blake family property on Saturday afternoon. “The forestry industry paid for this whole thing.”
While festivities are over for 2024, the royalty and float will travel to 12 more parades/events this summer to represent Sequim.
Maples said as they plan for 2025’s 130th festival, they welcome volunteers to join them.
“Planning has already begun and volunteers are needed,” she said.
“With the help of our volunteers and generous sponsors we hope to make our 130th an exciting celebration.
“We had some special surprises planned for our 125th but were unable to fully celebrate due to Covid restrictions, so watch for new announcements coming in the future for our 130th.”
To get involved, email to info@irrigationfestival.com and for more information, visit irrigationfestival.com.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Don Ellis, 91, a third generation Sequim resident and the Sequim Logging Show’s 2024 “Honorary Logger,” waves to the Grand Parade crowd on Saturday afternoon.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / 2023 Sequim Irrigation Festival queen Pepper Reymond waves to the Sequim Irrigation Festival Grand Parade crowd on Saturday.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell Dr. Linda Allen waves hello to the Sequim Irrigation Festival Grand Parade crowd Saturday afternoon. Allen, the parade’s Grand Marshal, is joined by “Casey” the Great Dane, a canine rescued by Welfare for Animals Guild volunteers and Allen after suffering a gunshot wound to the head.
Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Sequim High School’s Operetta Club and Ghostlight Productions celebrate the end of its two-week run of “The Addams Family” on May 11, with director Anna Pederson thanking volunteers, parents and students who served as cast and crew members.
Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Four-year-old friends Yana White, left, and Isla Daines wave to a royalty float as it goes down Washington Street for the Grand Parade. This was Yana’s second time at the parade, while Isla has gone since she was a baby, their moms said.
Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash Five-year-old Nantida Khunmang waves to a float dressed as a princess with her mom Daorueano Utamating. It was their first time at the Grand Parade.
Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash Henry Olekas, 11, runs to give Smokey Bear a hug during the Grand Parade.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Sequim Mayor Brandon Janisse waves to the Sequim Irrigation Festival Grand Parade crowd on Saturday.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / John Viada, left, helps lead the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) entry in the Sequim Irrigation Festival Grand Parade on Saturday.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell 2024 Sequim Irrigation Festival Honorary Pioneers Gary and Janice Smith wave to the crowd at the Grand Parade Saturday afternoon.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Junior Royalty Ruby Sly-Hobson, left, and Dulce Villegas wave to the crowd at the Sequim Irrigation Festival Grand Parade Saturday afternoon.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Junior Royalty Olive Gockerell and Bennett Castell wave to the crowd at the Sequim Irrigation Festival Grand Parade Saturday afternoon.
Photo by Bob Lampert A myriad of cool, classic cars line up for perusal at the Sequim Irrigation Festival Classic Car Show on Saturday.
Photo by Bob Lampert / A rare sight — a 1998 Panoz AIV Roadster — is one of the eye-catchers at the at the Sequim Irrigation Festival Classic Car Show on Saturday.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell Fireworks light up the sky Friday evening at the annual Sequim Logging Show.
Photo by Bob Lampert Mike Cox, with children Weston and Gabby, from Port Angeles, enjoy a super slide at the annual Sequim Logging Show last week.
Photo by Bob Lampert / Molly Boyer of Blaine
Photo by Bob Lampert / Tony Boyer competes in the tractor pull at the annual Sequim Logging Show.
Photo by Bob Lampert / Donald Benson of Yelm is busy cutting into his newest wildlife creation at the Sequim Logging Show last week.
Photo by Bob Lampert / Artwork by Donald Benson of Yelm is on display at the Sequim Logging Show last week.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Jensen Boyle, 3, of Port Angeles, enjoys the Sequim Irrigation Festival Grand Parade on Saturday.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / 2023 Sequim Irrigation Festival princesses Skylar Kryzworz, left, and Anne Marie Barni say hello to the Sequim Irrigation Festival Grand Parade crowd on Saturday.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Evelyn MacDonald, almost 6, pictured with grandmother Teresa, both of Sequim, get some tasty candy handouts at the Sequim irrigation Festival Grand Parade on Saturday.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Nelson Bekkevar helps 7-year-old Marina Eliel of Diamond Point move some dirt at the annual Sequim Logging Show on Saturday afternoon.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Fireworks light up the sky Friday evening at the annual Sequim Logging Show.
