Tour de Lavender

Just when you thought all the lavender fun was finished for the summer – you were wrong. If you missed the Lavender Festival, or you prefer to avoid a crowd in Sequim while still enjoying the fields of lavender colored – well, lavender, join in the Tour de lavender, a cycling event with rides for every skill level and interest.

The Tour de Lavender takes place August 3 & 4, 2013. If you are a serious cyclist, looking for a dynamic and challenging ride, try the Metric Century Ride from the Kingston-Edmonds Ferry to Sequim. For families and recreational riders, enjoy a family fun ride thorough the lavender farms of Sequim. Read more about each of the routes below.

Metric Century Ride from the Kingston-Edmonds Ferry to Sequim

This is a classic long distance ride, taking place on Saturday, August 3, 2013. It will have all the technical support needed for a ride of this distance. The route will travel on back roads and the Olympic Discovery Trail with only 3 miles on Hwy 101. Our Olympic Discovery Trail is a very important part of this ride.

A part of the Olympic Discovery Trail in Sequim. Part of the route for Tour de Lavender.

The ride organizers have plans that include options for luggage delivery from the Ferry to Sequim local lodging, transportation to the Ride the Hurricane event on Sunday, and/or rider and luggage return to the ferry on Sunday afternoon. The entry fee is $40 per person. See the Tour de Lavdender website for more ride plans and packages.

Sequim Lavender Family Fun Ride

This family cycling tour is designed for parents and children of all ages and abilities on Saturday and Sunday, August 3-4, 2013. This is a relaxed trip for spouses or partners, kids, and even babies in “carriers,”or agile grandparents to visit welcoming lavender farms on the back-roads of the valley in what is a mostly level and easy route. Riders are encouraged to ride the Olympic Discovery Trail. Each of the five lavender farms on the ride will have special attractions for families.

This is a great reason to visit the Olympic Peninsula and enjoy a little wine tasting along the way!

2013 Sequim Lavender Weekend

One of the biggest events on the Olympic Peninsula is the Sequim Lavender Weekend. Believe it or not, the Olympic Peninsula is one of the largest national producers of lavender and lavender products. To celebrate this pungent and relaxing herb, a festival is held the third weekend in July each year. For 2013, the Sequim Lavender Festival will take place from July 19 -21.

There are more than a dozen lavender farms in the Sequim area, where you can tour, buy goods and even taste lavender treats, like ice cream!

The growers responsible for the success and heritage of the festival will be available all weekend through a self-guided and free “U-Tour” attraction. With a map of the farms, visitors may leisurely drive (or bike) and visit any and all lavender farms they are interested in seeing. Lavender-themed gifts and fresh cut bouquets will be available for purchase. As always, admission, advice and fragrance at the farms are free! Additional regional attractions are highlighted on the map as well – like our wineries.

The Lavender Festival Street Fair occurs in downtown Sequim on Fir Street. Admission is free and visitors will enjoy three days of musical entertainment, fragrant Sequim lavender and tasty vendors. A talented group of artists, jewelers, photographers and “craftsmiths” will showcase their products for purchase. The Sequim Sunbonnet Sue will have their quilt show just around the corner at the Sequim Middle School.

The other main attraction during the Lavender Festival is Lavender Arts & Crafts Faire in the Park – also running all weekend long, there will be live music in the band shell, an awesome array for food vendors and a beer and wine garden, featuring our Washington wines. We will be serving beverages from all seven of the local wineries and of course the famous Olympic Cellars lavender wine. There will also be Northwest micro-brews from Olympic Distributing and sparkling hard cider.

Make sure to save some time to visit our wineries and tasting rooms on your trip to the Peninsula!