SEQUIM — The Sequim Irrigation Festival will go into its historic 130th year this weekend as Washington’s longest-running festival, and organizers said residents love its many offerings and traditions.
“It’s such a community effort,” said Michelle Rhodes, the festival’s executive director.
“I can’t think of another festival that offers so much variety and is directly supported by the community.”
This weekend will offer Crazy Callen Weekend with the Sequim High School’s operetta “Oklahoma!,” Family Fun Days, the Innovative Arts and Crafts Fair and more. Grand Finale Weekend May 8-11 will feature the Grand Parade, Classic Car Show, Logging Show and more.
D.R. “Crazy” Callen was given his moniker for building irrigation ditches with James R. Grant, H. Hucksford and Captain Thomas Jones that brought water from the Dungeness River to farmland. The first river headgate was lifted on May 1, 1895, followed by the first Irrigation Festival held on May 1, 1896.
“This is an opportunity for the community to come together like they did 130 years ago,” Rhodes said.
With many people feeling divided in the national climate, she said the festival shows “there are things that we can definitely enjoy together.”
Organizers remain committed to keeping events at no charge to keep it accessible to everyone, too.
The festival continues operations as an all-volunteer organization with about 25 core volunteers, said Rhodes, who coordinates the events with support from community and volunteer groups.
Its annual budget is about $160,000, which includes travel expenses for the float that spends much of the summer appearing at events and parades showcasing Sequim with its four teen royals.
Rhodes said the float, a steampunk ship designed by Guy Horton, is “making a huge splash” and already placed second at the Daffodil Parade in Tacoma.
A float builder is needed for next year, she said, and organizers are seeking volunteers to help with setup and parking support for the festival’s first weekend.
Those who are interested can sign up under the “Volunteer” tab at irrigationfestival.com. Each volunteer who does a four-hour shift will receive an exclusive T-shirt.
Things to know
Organizers highlight a few changes made this year:
Run Series
Its run series has moved from the first weekend to the second weekend so runners and walkers can go along the parade route, Rhodes said.
Events begin at 11 a.m., starting at the future home of the Shipley Center, 651 W. Washington St. The 5K will go to Shipley Center’s current location at 921 E. Hammond St. and back. A half-marathon will not be offered this year. To sign up for a 1-mile or 5K race, visit https:// irrigationfestival.com.
Trashion Show
The Trashion Show, set for 5:30 p.m. Saturday, has been moved from outside to inside the Guy Cole Event Center.
Rhodes said they didn’t want weather to impact the show, and they wanted a more comfortable changing area for models. For the show, participants make outfits using at least 75 percent recycled materials.
It’s part of the Innovative Arts and Crafts Fair running 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The First Friday Art Walk Sequim will take place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in downtown Sequim on Friday.
First weekend continued
Sequim High School will present “Oklahoma!” both weekends with shows at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, plus May 8-10, and 2 p.m. Sunday and May 11. Tickets are available at the door or at sequimschools.org.
Music
Artists and performers are set to perform throughout Saturday and Sunday at the James Center for Performing Arts Center’s bandshell. Black Diamond Junction headlines a community concert and dance at 6 p.m. Saturday, and the Sequim City Band will play at 3:30 p.m. Sunday.
Kids Parade
The Kids Parade will start at 11:30 a.m. Saturday with lineup beginning at 11:15 a.m. near the bandshell. Prizes will be awarded for Best Cartoon/Storybook Character, Best Pet Entry, Best Mini Floats, All About Sequim (any person, place or thing, current or historical, that represents Sequim) and Grand Prize.
Crazy Daze
The Crazy Daze Breakfast Murder Mystery will begin at 9 a.m. Sunday in the Guy Cole Event Center.
Organizers said the event is appropriate for all ages, and tickets are available at the festival’s website, with some limited tickets available the morning of the breakfast.
Family Fun Days
Family-friendly events will run throughout the weekend at Carrie Blake Community Park from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Some of the Saturday events include Touch-A-Truck, relay races, crowns and crafts booth and Storytime with the Queen. Sunday will host laser tag, Strait Up Foam Fun, yard games and scavenger hunts.
For a full schedule, registration and more about the festival, visit irrigationfestival.com.
Crazy Callen Weekend
Friday
• First Friday Art Walk, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in downtown Sequim
• Sequim High School Operetta “Oklahoma!” 7 p.m. Friday, Sequim High School, 533 N. Sequim Ave.
Saturday (Carrie Blake Community Park)
• Family Fun Days, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Innovative Arts & Crafts Fair, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Entertainment, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., bandshell
• Kids Parade, 11:15 a.m. lineup, 11:30 a.m. start near bandshell
• Ribbon cutting, 12:15 p.m., bandshell
• Trashion Show, 5:30 p.m., Guy Cole Event Center
• Community concert with Black Diamond Junction, 6 p.m., bandshell
• “Oklahoma!” 7 p.m., Sequim High School
Sunday (Carrie Blake Community Park)
• Crazy Daze Breakfast Murder Mystery, 9 a.m., Guy Cole Convention Center
• Family Fun Day, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Innovative Arts & Crafts Fair, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Various entertainment, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• “Oklahoma!” 2 p.m., Sequim High School
• Sequim City Band, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Live entertainment
Saturday
• 9:30 a.m. Bread and Gravy
• 10:30 a.m. Jack Dwyer
• 12:30 p.m. Buck Ellard
• 1:30 p.m. Sequim Acrobatics
• 2:30 p.m. Kevin Magner & Scott Bradley
• 4 p.m. The Dance Center by Erica Edwards
• 6 p.m. Community Concert and Dance with Black Diamond Junction
Sunday
• 11 a.m. Buttercup Lane
• Noon Harmonica Pocket
• 1 p.m. Juan de Fuca Harmony
• 2 p.m. Queens & Aces
• 3:30 p.m. Sequim City Band
For a full schedule, registration, and more about the festival, visit irrigationfestival.com.
