Irrigation Festival

Irrigation Festival

First full weekend in May

The Irrigation Festival is the oldest continuous festival in Washington, held since 1896 in Sequim. Originally known as "May Days," the festival celebrated the opening of the first ditch to bring water from the Dungeness River to the arid Sequim prairie. In the early days there were horse races, dancing, a keg of beer hidden in the brush, and tables loaded with food. After a few years, Maypole dances with girls in frilly dresses were a big attraction. The first queen of May Day was chosen in 1908; the first parade was held in 1918; the first queen's float was built in 1948; and a descendant of a pioneer family has been honored as the festival's Grand Pioneer since 1960.
Today, thousands come for a week of activities: a grand parade, a loggers' show, a high school operetta, crafts and flower exhibits, dances, music, and the Ditchwalkers Clam and Spaghetti Dinner.

CONTACTS:
Sequim-Dungeness Chamber of Commerce
1192 E. Washington St.
P.O. Box 907
Sequim, WA 98382
800-737-8462 or 360-683-6197; fax: 360-683-6349
www.sequimchamber.com

Celebration days:
2011: May 7; May 8
2012: May 5; May 6
2013: May 4; May 5
2014: May 3; May 4
2015: May 2; May 3