Judy was born in Sequim in the hospital west of the 101 Diner. She has lived here all her life, except in the 80’s for 7 years in Anchorage AK. Sequim has always been special, as well as the Irrigation Festival. From an early age, 5th grade and up her class built several floats with their teachers, parents and grandparents involved. Later on, I worked on the Queen’s floats and then she and her red hat friends built 3 floats that won awards.
Early She learned to tap dance, twirl a baton for school and went to many parades including Port Townsend, Port Angeles, Sequim and Seattle. In the beginning we had 6 in the group. By 1954 there were three of is left. She also enjoyed clogging.
Judy has been on the pioneer committee twice. The last year was the end of the 3 year signup. Her generation had such a wonderful time and place to grow up. She says that they had more moms and dads looking pit for them. It did take a village!! They were never without work. Many of peas, strawberries, and tulips were picked. The money sure helped too. Judy and her brother also delivered papers for 3 years.
Judy’s family of five; 3 girls and 2 boys, were also very active in the festival operettas, especially that meant she was involved in making costumes.
Judy say that the people of this community were all like family and that she loved them and learned from them. Her mother and her sister were in the Royalty in 1933-1935. Her mother was a princess, her aunt Kate a queen and Judy was a princess herself for two years in 1953 and 54.
Judy is anxious to see the festival in person again long after this virus leaves us and she gives a huge thank you to all the festival “chair people” for keeping it together for another year.