Sequim Lavender Festival in Washington State
Ranked #2,079 in Travel & Places, #72,334 overall
Sequim Annual Lavender Festival in July
Sequim proudly hosts this festival every summer, and the area has an ideal climate for growing lavender. The area has some similarities to the Provence region in France, and their lavender is famous for excellent quality and fragrance. Unlike some areas of Washington state, the area has a climate that is quite dry.
I hope you enjoy these photos as I share my experience in this great event at the Olympic Peninsula in Washington. Unless otherwise noted. all photos are my own.
Countdown to Sequim Lavender Festival 2012
Sequim (pronounced Sqwim) is located between Port Angeles and Port Townsend on the lovely Olympic Peninsula. It's about a two hour drive from Seattle. This fesitval has been held for several years now, and is growing in popularity. The festival is open daily from 10 to 6.
We visited three farms each day. It is possible to visit four or even five, depending of course on when you get started, and how long you want to stay at each farm. If you start when it opens and don't mind a long day, you can easily do four farms and take in the street fair as well.
Besides seeing field after field of wonderful lavender, each farm has food and beverages. Some had lavender ice cream or other desserts, and I had a delicious lavender lemonaide. It was great on a hot day.
Farmers explain how they cultivate harvest and use the lavender. It takes a lot to make one ounce of essential lavender oil. You can buy fresh lavender, see many craft displays, and enjoy various entertainment. One of the farms had live classical music, and another one had country.
The street fair, in downtown Sequim, offers many artisans, lavender oils, handcrafted products, lotions and much more. They would make nice gift items, or something to treat yourself. There are at least 140 vendors, so this place alone can take up an hour or more of your time. There is free entertainment here as well.
It's a very enjoyable way to spend a day, or stay overnight to take in more of the festival.
Lavender is one of the most popular of essential oils. It has a calming effect which may help promote better sleep and relieve anxiety. The lavender massage oils may help relieve joint and muscle pain. Many people like to add the oil to a diffuser to enjoy the scent, and may find it helpful if they have a cold or respiratory infection.
Pure natural lavender oil
One of the most popular of essential oils
NOW Foods Lavender Oil, 4 ounce
Amazon Price: $16.19 (as of 06/02/2012)
List Price: $29.99
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Visiting the lavender farms
There are several farms that participate in the festival, and they are all a few miles apart. It costs $15 to tour as many farms as you like and it's good for all three days. Children 12 and under are free. Included in the $15 price is unlimited bus rides which start at the street fair.The buses are encouraged because, although there is parking at the farms, it is limited, and you are travelling on narrow country roads. There are ten buses in all offering excellent service. So it's very convenient to leave your car near the street fair and use the bus to get to the different farms. They arrive at the farms about every 20 minutes, so you never have a long wait.
A short video with highlights of the festival
Another one of the many farms
Information for pet owners
Dogs are allowed at the street fair, although of course they need to be on a leash. Dogs are not allowed at the farms, but there is a pet sitting service available by where the buses stop and just outside the street fair. Of course, pets should never be left in cars. Even for just short periods the temperature in the car can reach over 100 degrees very quickly. It is usually very warm in Sequim in July. Sequim Stats
The population of 98382 is 21,635.
That's #4744 out of all 42,305 zip codes.
94% of the population is white, which is 20 points more than the national average.
The average household income in 98382 is $37,392, which is $7,694 more than the typical average.
This contributes to the average house being worth $158,400. When the survey was done in 2000, that represented a difference of 101% from the typical value.
Men make up 47% of the population, and the typical age in this part of WA is 53.6.
Stats about: Sequim, WA
Population: 21,635Number of Households: 11,019
Average House Value: $158,400
Average Income per Household: $37,392
Elevation: 32 ft
Population Breakdown:
Lavender Posters
Accomodation at Sequim
Lots of hotels and bed and breakfasts in the area
Sequim is a small city, so if you are going and want to stay a night or two, reservations need to be made well in advance. In addition, Sequim is half way between Port Angeles and Port Townsend, each is about a 20 minute drive. Both have a lot of motels and bed and breakfasts. Port Townsend is an adventure itself, with its many victorian home and inns. Sequim Area Restaurants
- Alderwood Bistro
- Alderwood has an edible herb and fruit and veggie garden, using local and organic as much as they can in their menu. Delicious food just steps away from the fair downtown. I've had dinner here twice and really recommend it.
- Dockside Grill on Sequim Bay
- Dockside Grill cordially invites you to experience the finest Northwest cuisine in an elegant, yet casual atmosphere on the waterfront of Sequim Bay.
- The Three Crabs
- Award winning seafood restaurant located on the waterfront in Sequim-Dungeness, on the Olympic Peninsula.
- The Oak Table Cafe
- The Oak Table Cafe is a wonderful restaurant for breakfast and lunch.
- Jeremiah's B-B-Q
- Jeremiah's serves award-winning BBQ ribs, beef, and pork - best barbecue in Sequim.
My Salad from Alderwood Bistro
More Lavender Festival Photos
Lavender ice cream and drinks are very popular
Have you been to this lavender festival?
You don't have to be a Squidoo member to comment
-
-
Ladymermaid
May 5, 2012 @ 8:11 am | delete
- The lavender fields are absolutely gorgeous. I would love to visit the lavender festival but probably will not make it up that far in my travels. Thank goodness for wonderful squidoo lenses which allow me to travel the world without ever leaving my desk.
-
-
-
Graceonline
Mar 31, 2012 @ 7:37 pm | delete
- Sadly, no. What a delightful adventure! I would love to spend a few days at the festival, riding the buses, seeing the sights, and sampling the cuisine. Gorgeous photos!
-
-
-
RinchenChodron
Mar 27, 2012 @ 11:26 pm | delete
- No, but I'd like to take it in! Thanks for a lovely lens with great information.
-
-
-
Chinajoy
Mar 26, 2012 @ 1:26 am | delete
- Sounds great! Wish I could go. We do have a "Lavender World" here just outside of Guangzhou, China. It is beautiful and has a hot springs to swim in also.
-
-
-
MareeT
Mar 21, 2012 @ 11:46 pm | delete
- I haven't been, but how fragrant and and fun it must be!
-
-
-
JoanneOtt
Mar 21, 2012 @ 11:25 pm | delete
- I haven't been in a couple of years, so may go this summer.
-
-
-
JJNW
Mar 21, 2012 @ 10:02 pm | delete
- I haven't, but this may be the year. Maybe I'll meet ya there!
-
-
-
Rob3
Mar 15, 2012 @ 6:24 pm | delete
- Never been to any lavender festival, but seen the lovely lavender fields in Norfolk, England.
-
-
-
Northwestphotos
Nov 21, 2011 @ 8:47 pm | delete
- Yes, I have been to the Sequim Lavender Festival a few times. Love the lavender! Thanks for the informative lens!
-
-
-
debnet
May 8, 2011 @ 4:46 am | delete
- Oh how I love Lavender! Super photos here and the festival sound wonderful. Lavender ice cream is to die for! I want to go to Sequim now!
-
- Load More
About Joanne
Lenses by Joanne
by JoanneOtt
I'm Joanne from Victoria, BC. I highly recommend the Sequim Lavender Festival if you are going to be in the area.
- 100 featured lenses
- Winner of 23 trophies!
- Top lens » My Favorite Bible Verses
Explore related pages
- Lavender Gift Ideas Lavender Gift Ideas
- Natural First Aid Treatments With Lavender Natural First Aid Treatments With Lavender
- Growing Lavender Growing Lavender
- How To Get Rid Of Plantar Warts How To Get Rid Of Plantar Warts
- How to grow and use lavender. How to grow and use lavender.
- Common Kitchen Aphrodisiacs Common Kitchen Aphrodisiacs
Interested in growing lavender?
Lavender: The Grower's Guide
Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 06/02/2012)
Lavender has been popular with gardeners for years. This book is a comprehensive guide on over 200 lavender varieties. There are chapters on their history, cultivation, growing lavender around the world, and how to avoid pests and diseases. Lavender plants now include light to deep purple and even pink and cream colors.
