SEQUIM — The wet weekend and economic doldrums failed to put a damper on the 15th Annual Sequim Lavender Festival, but the Sequim Lavender Farm Faire, in its first year, reported a less than hoped-for weekend.
Friday dawned bright and sunny for both events, drawing many visitors to both events.
“We had good crowds for a first-year event,” said Scott Nagel, executive director of the Sequim Lavender Farmers Association.
Strong start for new event
Friday’s events showed the kind of numbers that were predicted for the new fair’s location at Carrie Blake Park, but by Sunday evening, the event had attracted about three-quarters of the visitors it expected, he said.
At about 4 p.m. Friday, a light rain began to fall, and showers continued through the weekend.
“We’ve never had weather like this before,” Nagel said.
The area received 0.22 inches of rain Saturday, according to AccuWeather records, and rain also fell Sunday afternoon.
Rain impact
“Rain had a big effect,” Nagel said. “That’s just part of the festival business.”
Meanwhile, the Lavender Festival’s visitors braved the weather and stayed through the rain.
“The weekend went very well,” said Terry Stolz, president of the Sequim Lavender Growers Association.
“Attendance was strong and vendors are reporting strong sales.”
Sales were at least as good as most previous years, maybe better, he said.
Final sales figures were not available Sunday evening.
Visitors from all over
Some visitors were regional, from Kitsap or Poulsbo, he said. Others came from around the country and the world.
Visitors arrived from Georgia, Texas, and from as far away as England, Stolz reported.
“Word is getting out,” he said.
The festival’s 15-year milestone is a huge one, said event organizers, but it was put in perspective.
“We’re babies on the Peninsula,” Stolz said.
Compared with the 116 year history of the Irrigation Festival and the Rhododendron Festival’s 76 years, the lavender events are new, but there is a bright future for lavender, he said.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
