PORT TOWNSEND — This year’s Rhododendron Festival is coming back to life one step at a time.
In March, it appeared the Rhody royalty would have no float in the May 21 parade and there would be no carnival.
An anonymous donor came forward with the $1,000 needed to build the float, which is now under construction at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, and the Sequim Irrigation Festival threw open its float barn to the neighboring festival to allow volunteers to pick out materials.
The volunteers organizing the 76th edition of the festival, set from May 16-21, also lacked the $2,000 needed to rent Memorial Field for the weekend’s carnival, another Rhody tradition.
Two donors, Jim Anderson and Tim Thomas, came forward, each with $1,000.
Rhododendron Festival Association President Christy Green said she knew about Anderson’s donation prior to the coronation of the Rhody Queen on April 2, but Thomas’ generosity was a complete surprise.
Thomas announced the donation from the stage during the coronation ceremony in Chimacum, and Green knew the carnival show would go on.
Or so she thought.
When she contacted Jefferson County to rent the field, she was told that a wet winter has resulted in a soggy field that may not dry out in time.
The rides need flat, dry ground.
“We don’t want them to sink in the mud,” she said.
She plans to meet with officials at both the city of Port Townsend and Jefferson County this week — the county to determine the disposition of the field and the city to develop a “Plan B” in case the field isn’t ready.
For a while, it looked like the carnival would be canceled, and Green was preparing to contact the vendor, Funtastic Traveling Carnival Shows of Portland, if the money couldn’t be raised.
But the donations were made, and she didn’t have to make that call.
Budget woes didn’t threaten the carnival’s occurrence, as Funtastic doesn’t charge for its services and actually generates a small profit for the Rhody Festival, Green said.
More funds are needed for the festival, Green said.
Among the needs is money for scholarships for the Rhody royalty.
Last year’s royalty, Teslin LeMaster and Ashlee Nolette, have not yet received their scholarships, but they aren’t going to college until this fall.
This year, only Queen Emma King is a senior, so the scholarships for princesses Abigail Green and Carley Lundgren — both juniors — can wait until next year, Green said.
The festival committee also must raise money to take the float on the road.
To participate in festival parades statewide, the association needs $7,000 for travel expenses, Green said.
One event that is in the planning stages is the second annual “Dude Looks Like A Lady,” in which men don tacky women’s clothes and dancing for tips.
Last year, the Port Townsend Elks Club hosted the rowdy affair in which 13 guys danced for tips and raised a little more than $2,000.
Green said the festival volunteers are seeking a venue and dancers to volunteer.
Mickey Davis, part of last year’s crew, said he is willing to make a return engagement adding coyly “if someone asks me.”
Davis won’t be donning the big black number he wore last year.
“It was a great way to raise money,” he said. “And as soon as it was over, I ran out and picked out another dress for this year.”
To contribute or to volunteer as a dancer, contact Green at rhodymomma@yahoo.com.
For more information, visit www.rhodyfestival.org.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
