2025 Festival Committee
2025 Festival Committee
The planning, organization and production of the Sequim Irrigation Festival is a year long process. From the dedicated event directors and their respective teams of volunteers, to the individuals, businesses, and community service organizations; all of which support the festival through giving their time and talent as well as their generous support through the sponsorship of various events and projects. It is through the passionate commitment and pioneering spirit of countless volunteers, donors, and sponsors in our community that we have been able to bring to you the festival for 130 years in a row! Thereby making the Sequim Irrigation Festival Washington state’s longest, oldest, continuous running festival. Celebrating 130 years, Where Water is Wealth!
Over a hundred people are involved in the making of the Irrigation Festival and every one of those people is a volunteer. Volunteer activities range from large commitments such as being on the Board of Directors and planning and coordinating the festival events, to small commitments such as helping to setup or decorate an event.
Many of the events have volunteer needs. If you are interested in volunteering for a particular event you can learn more about the event by clicking HERE. Additional volunteering needs can be found on the Volunteer web page.
The Festival Committee can be reached as follows:
P.O. Box 2073, Sequim, WA 98382
Festival Board of Directors
The Festival Board of Directors, elected by the Festival Committee Members for the 2025 Irrigation Festival, are as follows:
- Festival Director – Michelle Rhodes
- Secretary – Kaitlyn Fudally
- Treasurer – Lori Larson
- Robin Bookter
- Lynn Horton
- Cely Alhaddad
- Dave McInnes
- Lara Stanton
- Karla Williams
- Vickie Maples- Past Festival Director
Festival Committee Members
The Festival Committee consists of dedicated volunteers who help to plan and organize the Sequim Irrigation Festival.
- Affiliate Coordinator – Andrea Epstein
- Button Contest – Michelle Rhodes, Emma Rhodes
- Carnival – David Blakeslee
- Classic Cruise and Show – Dan Shappie, Randy Perry
- Community Dance & Concert – John Christensen
- Crazy Daze Weekend – Michelle Rhodes
- Crazy Daze Breakfast – Lori Larson
- Crazy Callen Weekend Entertainment – John Christensen
- Crazy Callen Weekend Sign Coordinator – open
- Grand Marshal Liaison – Michelle Rhodes
- Equipment Rentals – David Blakeslee, Deon Kapetan
- Facebook – Michelle Rhodes, Kaitlyn Fudally
- Family Fun Days – Ceilidh Duncan
- First Friday Art Walk – Renne Emiko Brock
- Float Construction – Guy Horton
- Float Display and Parades – Lynn Horton
- Crazy Callen Weekend Food Vendors – David Blakeslee
- Golf Tournament – Janet Gray, Boys & Girls Club
- Grand Finale Weekend – Deon Kapetan
- Grand Parade – Noon Rotary Club of Sequim, Deon Kapetan
- Grant Writer – Vickie Maples
- Historic Walking Tour – Hazel Ault
- Innovation Arts and Crafts Fair – Dede Bessey, Christopher Allen
- Instagram – Lily Williams
- Junior Royalty – Karla Williams
- Kickoff Dinner & Auction – Robin Bookter
- Kids Parade – Michelle Rhodes
- Marketing & Communications – Michelle Rhodes
- Merchant Liaison – Theresa Rubens
- Past Royalty Luncheon – Karla Williams
- Program – Michelle Rhodes, Matt Nash, Sequim Gazette
- Photography – Keith Ross, Keith’s Frame of Mind
- Pioneer Association – Dave McInnes
- Products & Merchandise – Kaitlyn Fudally
- Royalty Mentor – Lynn Horton
- Royalty Pageant – Lynn Horton
- Run Series Fun Run – Tracey Durso
- Sequim High School Operetta – Anna Pederson
- Sequim City Band – Vicky Blakesley
- Sponsorship – Vickie Maples
- Trashion Show – Chris Allen, Libby Ballard
- Vehicle Coordinator – David Blakeslee
- Volunteer Coordinator -Gail Sumpter
- Website – Amber Tjemsland and Kaitlyn Fudally
Meet the Director of the 2025 Sequim Irrigation Festival, Michelle Rhodes
Michelle Rhodes was born and raised in Port Angeles. She graduated from Port Angeles High School, Peninsula College, and Western Washington University. After college she moved with her husband, Jason, to the Seattle area for a few years, but the peninsula was calling them back home. At Jason’s urging they purchased their home and settled in Sequim in 2008. Sequim has become home, and the Irrigation Festival has become important to their family for the events offered and volunteer opportunities.
Michelle’s professional background in human resource and business management, marketing, and non-profit development and fundraising have been helpful in the various volunteer positions she has held with the Irrigation Festival since 2017. She is honored to continue to serve the Sequim-Dungeness community and the members of the Irrigation Festival as Director.