Irrigation Festival kickoff on Saturday

SEQUIM — This Saturday, the annual Kickoff Dinner and Auction ushers in the 128th year of the Irrigation Festival, the oldest and most continuous running in Washington.

As the biggest fundraising event for the all-volunteer festival, proceeds help fund royalty court scholarships, float construction and its related travel expenses.

Remaining tickets to the event at 7 Cedars Casino, 270756 U.S. Highway 101, cost $85 at Kickoff2023.givesmart.com.

Non-attendees and attendees can bid on silent auction items through 7:30 p.m. Saturday night.

The live auction accepts in-person bids only, organizers said. For an offline ticket, contact Robin Bookter at 360-316-9235.

Dinner includes prime rib, with chicken or vegetarian options available upon request.

Parade float

As tradition before the dinner, organizers will unveil the float at 4:45 p.m.

It was designed and built by Guy Horton with help from David Blakeslee and John Riley.

They’ve been hard at work in recent months on the float based on this year’s theme, “128 Out the Gate” with multiple animations.

It will be about 13 feet tall.

“I think it’s going to play really well (at events),” Horton said.

“This year’s (royalty outfits) are rich. A lot of the float’s palette comes from their dresses.

“It’s absolutely spectacular.”

This year’s royalty features Queen Pepper Reymond, Princess Anne Marie Barni, Prince Fred Cameron and Princess Paige “Skylar” Krzyworz.

Supply chain issues hit particularly hard this year, Horton said, so crew members were more purposeful in using materials from floats from years before, including lumber and artificial grass.

For more information on upcoming events for the 128th festival, set for May 6-13, visit irrigation festival.com.

More in News

Frank Lowenstein was hired as the Dungeness River Nature Center’s executive director in September 2024. (Frank Lowenstein)
River center director dismissed

Board is looking for candidate to fill role

Weekly flight operations scheduled

There will be field carrier landing practice operations for aircraft… Continue reading

A demonstrator carrying an American flag walks the sidewalk in front of the Clallam County Courthouse on Saturday. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Demonstrators march at courthouse

A demonstrator carrying an American flag walks the sidewalk in front of… Continue reading

Port Angeles High School twin graduates Kaylie Mast, left, and Kendall Mast, communicate with their friends by text while waiting for the start of the 2025 graduation parade on Friday. The parade began at Ediz Hook and culminated with a formal ceremony Friday evening at Port Angeles Civic Field. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Graduation parade

Port Angeles High School twin graduates Kaylie Mast, left, and Kendall Mast,… Continue reading

Suzy Ames.
College pivoting to meet deficit

School cuts more than $2 million in expenses

Pleasant Harbor Resort still seeking approval

Disagreements lead to delays and layoffs

Retiring Port Angeles School District Superintendent Marty Brewer, right, shares a career experience as his replacement, Michelle Olsen, listens during a retirement gathering on Thursday at Lincoln Center in Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Olsen sworn in as PASD superintendent

Stevens Middle School name change proposed with four options

Two hospitalized following head-on collision

Two people were transported to Olympic Medical Center following… Continue reading

Royal Canadian Navy to conduct exercises

The Royal Canadian Navy’s Maritime Forces Pacific will conduct… Continue reading

Power outage scheduled in Freshwater Bay area

Clallam County Public Utility District No. 1 has scheduled power… Continue reading

Slope repair work slated for Highway 19 on Tuesday

Maintenance crews from the state Department of Transportation will… Continue reading