Quote of the Month:
“Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own." - Charles Dickens
“Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own." - Charles Dickens
Location: | Sequim |
Festival: | Usually the second weekend of July |
Fragrant and the most beautiful lavender fields have become a symbol of the northern part of the Olympic Peninsula. This unusually unique region is known as “Lavender Capital of North America”.
The fields in bloom are gorgeous, but what attracts people more is the background for these fields. The views are just perfect: lavender fields are situated between the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the famous Olympic Range. This region is considered one of the most beautiful and picturesque regions on the Olympic Peninsula.
Lavender is grown in the Sequim-Dungeness Valley, which is located in the rain shadow of the Olympic Range. This shadow creates ideal conditions and microclimate for growing lavender. The Sequim-Dungeness Valley receives much less rain then other neighboring areas. To be more concrete, in average there are 290 sunny days here and only 15-17 rainy days per year. What a great climate! The climate also helped to develop tourism industry and this place is considered to be one of the best places for retirement and recreation.
The town is located between the most popular and visited attractions of the Olympic Peninsula, Olympic National Park and the Puget Sound, that’s why tourist visit this place throughout a year, but of course the peak of tourist season is July.
There are two annual lavender festivals that are held in July, when the most lavender fields are in bloom. One festival is held at the downtown of Sequim and is more a street fair. The second festival is held at one of the farms. Both of the festivals are held on the same weekend, usually the second weekend of July.
During the Lavender Festival it is easy to learn about different farms and events that will take place.
If you missed this unique event, it is very easy to visit many of the farms in the region. If the farms are ready to accept tourists, you will find numerous signs on the highway 101 indicating how to get to the farms that are awaiting visitors and tourists.
To cut a long story short, this unique area is worthwhile visiting. Soaps and lotions, different seasonings and essential oils, lemonade and honey, eye and face cosmetics, and other items containing the amazing herb lavender are the most famous pleasures of this fragrant place.
Get to the Olympic Peninsula either by the Edmonds ferry which goes to Kingston, the downtown ferry which goes to Winslow, Bainbridge Island or cross the Tacoma Narrows Bridge (head towards Bremerton). Follow the signs to the Hood Canal Bridge, cross the bridge and you’ll be on Route 104. This ends at Route 101. Follow the signs to Port Angeles and before you get there you will see signage for the festival in Sequim.
In order to get the directions click on the link below:
Photo: Roman Khomlyak
Photo Editing: Alex Mandryko
Information: Marina Petrova
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