Lovely LavenderBy Janice Lovelace
Lavender grows well in Sequim because of the weather. It is located on the northern coast of Washington’s Olympic peninsula, in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains. This makes Sequim the perfect growing climate for Lavender, very similar to Provence, France. Lavender likes the good draining soil and not too much water.
Try the lavender ice cream at ten acre Jardin du Soleil farm. They have food service with special child friendly offerings and a picnic area to enjoy the sights and smells of lavender while enjoying the taste. Cedarbrook Herb Farm, one of the first lavender farms in the area, offers 70 varieties including a new deep purple variety of French lavender. Learn how to make a lavender wand or a sachet while there. Visit the gift shop in the old homestead. Enjoy a sit down meal at Petals restaurant on the property. Check out Purple Haze Farm, a seven acre organic farm. You can pick your own or buy lavender bundles already dried. Watch how they distill the lavender to get oil essence products. For a unique experience, try a Lavender Margarita.
Lost Mountain Lavender grows over 120 varieties of the herb. Walk into the gift store to find “everything lavender”. Open all year, the varieties of lavender are in bloom from June through August. Angel Farm transforms itself into a French country marketplace for the Festival. Stop by and wander the fields, make a wreath or enjoy lavender sausage. Sunshine Herb and Lavender Farm is one of the newest farms in the area. The owners are still developing their nine acre farm, although they have been selling herbs for nearly ten years. With 36 varieties, they focus mainly on oils. Watch them distill the oils when you visit. Along with the lavender, explore the antique tractors around the farm. Or just sit back and enjoy a lavender smoothie. Check out the website for the festival to learn more about the lavender farms: www.lavenderfestival.com
Sequim is much more than just lavender though. Spend the weekend exploring the natural beauties that abound. A part of the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, the Dungeness Spit, is the longest natural sand spit in the U.S. Walk the five mile spit to the lighthouse at the end. Sequim is also the gateway to Olympic National Park, with miles of hiking and other outdoor activities. As you drive around, be on the outlook for the Olympic Peninsula Roosevelt Elk, only found on the Olympic peninsula. This herd of approximately one hundred considers the Sequim area home. Lodging is difficult to find in Sequim during the Festival weekend. But if you go during the week, there are a number of motels and B&Bs in the area. To reach Sequim from Seattle, take the ferry from downtown Seattle to Bremerton. Head north to Highway 101. Take the Sequim Street exit to reach the Street fair. |
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Purple, pink, white…lavender is everywhere in Sequim, Washington in the summer! No need to travel to France to see multiple varieties of the herb that are showcased in over 40 farms, many which are open for visitors the whole month. But the special time to visit is mid-July for the Lavender Festival and Street Fair (July 14-16, 2006). During the Festival, there are eight farms that are highlighted. They welcome visitors to learn more about growing and using lavender. 
You can drive around to the farms or take a Farm Tour Bus from downtown to one or more of the farms. Although each farm has parking available, it may be easier to hop the bus and go from one farm to another during the Festival. Each farm has unique offerings. 
Stay for one of the cooking lessons and take home a new recipe. Walk along the fields and find “volunteer” sunflowers and poppies adding a bright yellow and orange to the lavenders.
Olympic Lavender Farm also offers organically farmed herbs on its five acre farm. Many lavender products are offered at their store. Lavender Pepper is one of the more unique spices for cooking with lavender.
The street fair has over 125 booths, many with handcrafted products using lavender as well as demonstrations of lavender crafts. Also included are music, face painting for the children and activities like making lavender sachets or wands. And of course, lots of food using lavender! You’ll be surprised how many ways lavender can be used. The Street Fair, which is free, is open Friday and Saturday from 9 am- 6pm, and Sunday from 10 am to 6pm. The farms are open from 10 am to 6pm each day. There is a $10.00 fee that includes admission to all the farms for all three days. Children under 12 are FREE. Parking is free as well, both at the fair and the farms.