SEATTLE — The Sequim Irrigation Festival has snatched the top ranking in the “Best Small Town Celebration” category of the “Family Fun” segment of the 2015 Best Northwest Escapes contest by KING-TV.
The contest, hosted by the “Evening Magazine” series of the NBC-affiliate KING-TV Channel 5 of Seattle, has 81 categories.
The announcement proclaiming Sequim Irrigation Festival’s victory was made during a spotlight segment on Evening Magazine Monday night.
The winners in each of the 81 categories — in which several North Olympic Peninsula venues were nominated —will be announced throughout the week on Evening Magazine, which airs at 7:30 p.m. on KING-TV.
The final list will be available Friday.
“Obviously we are tickled pink and very proud to be part of [the festival],” Deon Kapetan, director of the 2015 Sequim Irrigation Festival, said Tuesday.
“It just kind of shows that all the hard work that all of our volunteers and service clubs have been doing is paying off. It is nice to be recognized.”
The Irrigation Festival took first place among a total of 63 contenders, and is eligible to win a $5,000 grand prize.
Information about the total number of votes the festival received was unavailable Tuesday.
The grand prize winner, chosen from amongst the winners of each category, will be selected at random.
The festival committee would use the money to pay for scholarships or add to the general fund, Kapetan said.
This year’s festival — held from May 1-10 — drew up to 10,000 attendees, and marked the 120th anniversary of the event, Kapetan said.
The theme was “120 Fun A Plenty.”
Voting for the Best Northwest Escapes contest began March 30 and concluded April 24.
“All of the service clubs helped get the word out” to vote, as did the Sequim Chamber of Commerce, Kapetan said.
“It was kind of a family affair. I appreciate that.”
Other categories
Also nominated were:
■ In Clallam County — Salt Creek Recreation Area for “Best Campground;” the Hoh Rain Forest and Lake Crescent for “Best Instagram Destination” and “Best Place for Peace and Quiet;” Forks for “Best Tourist Town” and
“Best Girls Weekend Destination;”
■ LaPush for “Best Surfing Destination;” the Hoh River for “Best Fishing Hole;” Sol Duc Hot Springs for “Best Resort” and “Best Cabins;” Port Angeles/Sequim KOA for “Best RV Park;” Hurricane Ridge Road for “Best Scenic Drive;” and Dungeness Spit National Wildlife Refuge for “Best Eco Adventure.”
■ Sequim Lavender Festival for “Best Small Town Celebration;” Sequim Open Aire Market for “Best Farmer’s Market;” Holiday Inn Express and Suites for “Best Hotel;” Lost Mountain Lodge for “Best Bed and Breakfast;” Lost Mountain Winery and Wind Rose Cellars for “Best Wine Tour;”
■ Purple Haze Lavender Farm for “Best Girls Weekend Destination;” The Cedars At Dungeness for “Best Golf Course;” Sunset Marine Resort for “Best Restort;” J&J Golf Retreat and Juan de Fuca Cottages and Suites for “Best Cabins;” Rainbow’s End RV Park for “Best RV Park;” and Sequim Bay State Campground for “Best Campground.”
■ George Washington Inn and Estate for “Best Bed and Breakfast” and “Best Place for Peace and Quiet;” Port Angeles Antiques for “Best Antiques;” Port Angeles Whale Watch Company for “Wildlife Watching Destination;” Black Ball Ferry Line for “Best Cruise;”
■ Port Angeles Farmers Market for “Best Farmer’s Market;” Northwest Fudge & Confections for “Best Treat Shop;” Inn at Rooster Hill for “Best Girls Weekend Destination;” North by Northwest Surf Co. for “Best Paddle Boarding;” and the Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival for “Best Food Festival.”
■ In Jefferson County — Inn at Port Hadlock and The Resort At Port Ludlow for “Best Resort,” and Port Townsend for “Best Tourist Town” and “Best Tiny Town.”
■ Port Townsend Farmer’s Market for “Best Farmer’s Market;” The Palace Hotel for “Best Romantic Hotel;” Port Townsend Antique Mall for “Best Antiques;” Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival for “Best Small Town Celebration;”
■ An Inn Between, Commander’s Beach House, James House and Ravenscroft Inn for “Best Bed and Breakfast;” Harborside Inn for “Best Hotel;” Puget Sound Express for “Best Whale Watching;” Chevy Chase Beach Cabins for “Best Place to Watch a Sunset;” Point Wilson Lighthouse for “Best Lighthouse;” and Port Hudson RV Park in Port Townsend for “Best Campground.”
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-681-2390, ext. 5052, or cmcdaniel@peninsuladailynews.com.
