Every July, lavender fans from all over Northwest gather to see stunning fragrant violet fields in Sequim, Washington, about two hours away from Seattle. The Sequim Lavender Festival offers three days of indulging in beautiful blooms as well as many free activities and a cultural program. The fest includes art show and street fair, live music, and food vendors. Kids can enjoy some games, a scavenger hunt, and mini-golf. Attendees can visit several lavender farms and stroll through blooming fields.
The main venue for the Sequim Lavender Festival is Carrie Blake Park at 500 North Blake Avenue. A beautiful outdoor performance stage is set up at the James Center for the Performing Arts. It features live music and various performances. The free festival activities run from 9 am to 7 pm on Friday and Saturday, and from 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday.
Sequim has been known as the primary lavender destination in the U.S. for more than 20 years. Sequim-Dungeness Valley climate and soil are perfect for this healing herb. It is now home for over 110,000 lavender plants that are used in cosmetics, decoration, and medicine. In 1996, a few local lavender farms created Sequim Open Aire Market to showcase their products. This is how the Lavender Festival was born. Since the 1990s over 30 farms have been established in the Sequim area.
The good news is that the admission to the Sequim Lavender Festival is free and organizers offer free parking at the beginning of Blake Ave.
