SEQUIM — The so-called “blue hole” was looking rather purple over the weekend.
Sequim was all about the purple pride because of one of the best Lavender Festivals in years, said Brigid Woodland, the event’s social media director.
Woodland said official estimates were not in, but the initial feeling among farmers and vendors was that attendance was much better than the 35,000 that traditionally visit the town for the festival.
“There is no way to know right now what the attendance is,” Woodland said.
“But it was a very good year.”
Attendance better than ever
Purple Haze Organic Lavender Farm founder Mike Reichner said he felt the attendance was “hands down” better than ever.
“I don’t think we surpassed any past records,” he said.
“We smashed them.”
The purple-flowered plant also is the focus of national attention.
USA Today visited Saturday to photograph several farms, Woodland said.
The farms on the tour included Purple Haze, Jardin du Soleil, Olympic Lavender Farm, Cedarbrook Lavender & Herb Farm, Sunshine Herb & Lavender Farm and Lost Mountain Lavender.
‘Good Morning America’ interview
Reichner said he and Mary Borland of Olympic Lavender will be interviewed today by ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
The pair are representing original members of the Sequim Lavender Growers Association, a group of more than 36 growers in the area.
A production crew from the “Weekend Window” segment will stay several days filming the farm at its most purple during the height of the season, he said.
Lavender’s best
Woodland said the warm sunny days in the week preceding the festival helped the lavender be at its best and brightest — not to mention encouraging locals and visitors to visit as many farms as possible.
While here, the “Good Morning America” team also will sample crab and trek out to the New Dungeness Lighthouse to feature some of the other area attractions.
“At first, they were saying they were going to do it all in one segment,” Reichner said.
“But then after the crew visited, they said they might do one just on the farms and one on the rest of the area.
“But you never know until after they have actually finished everything.”
Traipsing around the lavender were Bainbridge Island resident Julie Richardson and her daughters.
“This is our annual tradition,” she said.
“We try and make it out to all the farms every year. . . it is such a great tradition.”
A Beatles tribute concert by the Creme Tangerine held on Saturday evening also attracted a host of people, Woodland said.
“We had about 2,000 people there,” she said.
“That is way more than we ever expected.”
The food vendors at the concert ran out of food before the show even began because the crowd was so large, she said.
Mostly locals
“We did an informal survey, and at the concert — the festival, of course is different — it was about three-quarters locals,” she said.
“That is really great to know.
“We’re ready for next year — and prepared for the crowd.”
The fair, with its 140 vendors and live jazz, folk, blues and bluegrass, had a continuous buzz of people and pets.
“Another really great thing we’ve had a lot of comments on this year is the pet-sitting service,” Woodland said.
“The sitters and the owners are very happy about it.”
The free service, at the Street Fair, was provided because pets are not allowed on the farms, and owners frequently fret about leaving the animals in the cars.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
