Lavender Festival Sequim, Washington

Once a year the Dungeness Valley erupts with fragrant lavender plants in full bloom. Not only is it a very cool sight like the purplish color of the lavender against the green of the surrounding fields. But it is very aromatic as well. Walk through a local lavender farm on a hot day and you are pleasantly blasted with that strong scent.
Some people I know can't stand the smell. Especially men. Maybe it's because women love the stuff! But like the men, some don't. Personally I like the stuff. I have a couple plants in my back yard that are quite aromatic. When they are in full bloom I like to take a couple of flowers and crush them in my hand then take a deep whiff. Whoa! Talk about aroma therapy.
But along with the visual aspects of lavender, another event transpires mid-July around here. Of course that is the Sequim Lavender Festival or is it the Sequim Lavender Festival Weekend?
A couple of years back there was a bitter split between some lavender growers that resulted in two distinct lavender farmer's groups forming and putting on two separate festivals on the same day in Sequim. Weird? Sort of. That kind of thing usually benefits  no one. But I believe I read that a truce had been called and at least this year there has been some cooperation between the two groups. Good on them. It only hurts the people who come to the festival and spend their hard earned money buying all those lavender related products. They take home not only those products but the experience as well.
The last two years the festival was shrouded in rain and cool weather. I know. I helped my friend Gail who runs Dungeness Gold a gourmet herb and spices store that has some of the best honey I ever ate. She has a blackberry honey that will knock your socks off. I occupied a corner of her 10x10 foot display tent and sold cards and matted images at the Port Williams Lavender Farm. It was a tough weekend. It rained more than it didn't. It really wasn't much fun. But it was an experience.
Well it is a different weekend thankfully. We have been in a three week hot spell for the Peninsula. Been in the 80's and even hit a 90 degree day a couple of weeks ago. Perfect lavender growing weather. This weekend's temps will be in the mid 70's. Not too hot. Just right. Should draw some great crowds. And with the two farmer's groups getting along, this could be a record weekend for attendance. We'll see. I will be out and about tomorrow to see and photograph some of the weekend's farms and event's. See you soon.