PORT TOWNSEND — The Rhododendron Festival Association will have no float in its own parade in May.
It can’t afford it, said the president of the association that is organizing the 76th annual festival scheduled May 16-21.
“We are not going to have a float this year,” said Christy Green on Sunday.
“I would love to have one, but we don’t have the funds for it.
“There is no money for a float or traveling.”
Last year’s float for the festival — the oldest continuous festival in Jefferson County — was dismantled in October.
A new float would cost $1,000, Green said, adding that the association also would need to repair the back door of the float’s trailer.
She estimated travel costs for Rhody royalty at about $7,000.
Despite the lack of a Rhody Fest float, the Grand Parade will go on, wending its way through Port Townsend, beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 21. Applications are being taken through May 6.
The queen’s coronation also will happen as scheduled — 5 p.m. April 2 in the Chimacum High School auditorium at 91 W. Valley Road. Admission will be $5.
And volunteers are working to ensure the continuation of all other traditional weekly events of the festival, which takes its name from the ubiquitous and varied flowering North Olympic Peninsula plants.
Those events include the placing of the royalty handprints at Haller Fountain, the tricycle and bed races and the pet parade and kiddies’ parade.
Other annual happenings, such as the Rhododendron Flower Show, Kiwanis Fish Fry, Jim Caldwell Memorial Rhody Open and Elks Rhody Fundraiser Pancake Breakfast, are organized by other groups.
“I wouldn’t want to see any of it drop out,” Green said.
But already the carnival is in doubt.
Rental for Memorial Field for three days costs $2,000. It’s unsure if the association, which has a couple thousand dollars in hand now, can put up the money.
“We’re trying to figure out how we’re going to afford to pay for a carnival,” Green said.
Green said that the festival, which has struggled with funding for several years, has attracted no sponsors since 2008.
The association’s board members “have been using our own money in years past, and we can’t do it anymore,” she said.
“Right now, we don’t know how we’re going to pay for the scholarships” that are given to Rhody royalty.
This year’s royal court has three members. The queen will receive a $1,500 scholarship, while the princesses each will get a $1,000 scholarship.
Because her daughter is one of the queen candidates, Green is not involved in any of the royalty functions.
The royalty candidates for 2011 are:
■ Abigail Green, 16, a Port Townsend High School junior, the daughter of Ed and Christy Green. She plays soccer, fastpitch and is in Kiwanis Key Club.
■ Carley Lundgren, 18, Port Townsend High School senior, the daughter of Scott Lundgren and Julie Clouse. She is a member of 4-H and of the Port Townsend-Chimacum-Sequim high school equestrian team.
■ Emma King,17, Chimacum High School junior, the daughter of Shawn King and Larry King. She is a cheerleader, plays soccer and is active in Future Business Leaders of America.
The association put on a potato feed fundraiser in January.
That netted about $20, Green said.
Last year’s “Dude Looks Like a Lady” fundraiser was highly successful last year, and the group is considering putting on another one this year, Green said.
In addition to funds, the association also needs more volunteers.
The four board members — Green, Stacy Richards, Lorraine Hendricks and Heather Longcrier — are being assisted by such volunteers as Juanita Maples, who is helping with the coronation, and Joeen Nutsford, who is chairing the Grand Parade.
But more hands are needed, Green said.
“At this point, we will be lucky if we can get by this year,” Green said.
“Next year, I can’t tell you the future of Rhody.”
Donations can be made on the festival association’s website at www.rhodyfestival.org, or checks can be made out to the Rhododendron Festival and mailed to P.O. Box 766, Port Townsend, WA 98368, to Green’s attention.
Those who want to volunteer can contact association board members listed on the website.
Applications for the Grand Parade are available at the festival association’s website.
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Managing Editor/News Leah Leach can be reached at 360-417-3531 or leah.leach@peninsuladailynews.com.
