SEQUIM — The Sequim Irrigation Festival, the state’s longest, continuous-running festival, will return this weekend for its 129th year.
Crazy Callen Weekend is Friday through Sunday with activities mostly in Carrie Blake Community Park, followed by the Grand Finale Weekend May 9-11, including the Grand Parade on May 11.
The first weekend recognizes D.R. “Crazy” Callen and the work he, James R. Grant, H. Hucksford and Captain Thomas Jones did — despite detractors calling Callen initially “crazy” — to create the irrigation ditches to bring water from the Dungeness River to farmland. The first river headgate was lifted on May 1, 1895, and the first festival celebration was held on May 1, 1896.
Organizers highlighted some changes and returning favorites for the first weekend.
Live music
Joy in Mudville will headline Saturday night’s concert and dance from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. with performers on stage from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Find a full schedule at irrigationfestival.com/site/event/entertainment.
Kids Parade
The Kids Parade brings children 12 and younger around Carrie Blake Community Park starting at 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Lineup begins at 11:15 a.m. near the southwest corner of the Albert Haller Playfields.
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 will become a Whodunnit special event at 9 a.m. Sunday in the Guy Cole Event Center.
Advance tickets can be purchased for $15 for adults and $5 for children at irrigation festival.com/site/event/crazy-daze-breakfast, or at the door for $20 per adult and $7 per child.
Family Fun Days
From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, activities for children will be available in Carrie Blake Community Park.
Some of the Saturday events will include Touch-A-Truck (first responder vehicles), relay races, crowns and crafts booth, cupcake walk and Storytime with the Queen.
Sunday will feature laser tag, Strait Up Foam and more with activity booths, yard games and scavenger hunts available both days.
Trashion Show
The Trashion Show will return for a second year at 5:45 p.m. Saturday at the James Center for Performing Arts’ bandshell. Participants are encouraged to bring any outfit created from at least 75 percent recycled materials. An encore show will take place at 1 p.m. May 12 at Studio Bob in Port Angeles.
Organizers said they anticipate a much bigger show than last year and it is part of the Innovative Arts and Crafts Fair running from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the park.
First Friday Art Walk Sequim also will take place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. across downtown Sequim on Friday, with an “aqua” color theme.
Run/walk series
The festival’s 1-mile and 5-kilometer races start and finish from Carrie Blake Community Park on Saturday, starting at 9 a.m. The 5K is a timed event.
The half marathon is set for 8 a.m. on Sunday, starting at Gardiner Community Center and finishing at Carrie Blake Community Park. Fees apply to race. Visit irrigationfestival.com/site/event/irrigation-festival-fun-run to register.
Operetta
Sequim High School will host “The Addams Family” musical from 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, with a costume contest. It continues the following weekend with shows at 7 p.m. May 9-11. Tickets will be available at the door or at sequimschools.org.
Parking
Public parking will be on city streets or by donation on the property in the lot behind Trinity United Methodist Church.
For a full schedule, registration and more about the festival, visit irrigationfestival.com.
