Stay Dry at the Sequim Irrigation Festival
Where did our sun go? A few days of sunny weather and residents are thinking that summer if almost here, and tourists are thinking that it really doesn’t rain in Seattle all the time. Well, guess what? It’s back — the rain, I mean.
So this weekend may be a good time for a road trip up to the Olympic Peninsula to visit Sequim, and 112th Irrigation Festival. At least there, you should be able to keep dry.
Sequim, an Indian word for calm waters, is located near the Olympic Mountains, and is known for its mild climate, Dungeness crab, and a lavender production that is rivaled only in France. Just the name of the festival should give you an inkling that Sequim is a dry place. In fact, it lies in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, protecting it from the rain that falls to either side of the city. It receives less than 15 inches of rain annually, which qualifies it as a desert. Locals often refer to the area as Washington’s banana belt.
The festival celebrates bringing irrigation from the Dungeness River to the prairie of Sequim. Folks believed the idea was crazy, but despite little money, harsh geography, and a doubting citizenry, the headgates to an irrigation ditch was opened on May 1st, 1896, providing water to the community.
This year’s festival theme is “112 Years and Still Rockin’ and is built around a 50’s Rock and Roll concept. At 112 years, the Irrigation Festival is the longest continuously running festival in the state. As with all festivals, there will be entertainment, parades, arts and craft, food, and lots of special events. Check the event listing here.
Location: Sequim is about an hour and a half drive from Seattle, about two hours from Tacoma. You can find full directions here.
Dates & Times: May 5th – 13th, 2007. The schedule of events lists the precise times of activities.
Admission: Most events are free. Consult the schedule of events for details.
SPECIAL TIP: When you pronounce Sequim, remember that the “e” is silent. So, say “skwim” and sound like a local, not a tourist.
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Tags: art, b5media, family travel, festivals, Seattle, Seattle tourism, Seattle Traveler, Tacoma, The Seattle Traveler, travel, vacation, Washington, Washington State, Sequim
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