Sequim Gazette staff

There’s no surprising Sequim residents that the Irrigation Festival continues into its 116th year beginning this weekend.

Volunteers like Joe Borden, float chairman, have been working to prepare for the official event May 6-15. Details like painting horses and stapling on frill streamers are nearing completion. Since January, Borden and his crew of volunteers have worked several nights a week preparing the float for the Kick-Off Dinner beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at Club Seven in 7 Cedars Casino, 270756 Highway 101, Blyn.

He’s worked on the float 16 years consecutively and he was asked to finish two weeks early compared to years past.

Borden said this year’s float has the biggest moving platform yet. Festival royalty will become acquainted with the structure as they represent Sequim now through the fall at various events, festivals and parades.

The Kick-Off Dinner unveils the float for the royalty and introduces the Grand Marshal, Grand Pioneers and Honorary Pioneers for 2011. It’s a significant fundraiser for the festival with a live and silent auction, festival pins and new merchandise available.

Tickets are $45 and still available at Sequim locations KeyBank, Sound Community Bank, Tesa’s Boutique, Frick Drug and the Visitor Information Center. No ticket sales are available at the door.

For more information, e-mail Tawana Borden, Kick-off Dinner chairman, at kickoffdinner@irrigationfestival.com, or visit www.IrrigationFestival.com.