Thousands of people are estimated to attend this weekend’s Sequim Lavender Festival across the Olympic Peninsula, and the Washington State Patrol (WSP) is reminding drivers to plan early and expect delays in Kitsap, Jefferson and Clallam counties.

The annual festival begins Friday, July 19, and continues through Sunday, July 21, attracting an estimated 3,000 additional vehicles to the Olympic Peninsula to visit various lavender farms throughout Sequim.

According to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the annual average daily traffic volume for US 101 in the area of Sequim is approximately 28,000 vehicles. In 2017, WSDOT traffic engineers performed a count showing Lavender Festival attendance brings an additional 3,000 vehicles to the area on average per day.

Traffic impacts can be expected on US 101, State Route 104 and State Route 3 as vehicles travel to and from the event. Drivers are also advised to plan additional travel time to reach ferry terminals.

WSP will have extra troopers on the roadways to help alleviate traffic congestion and respond to incidents. Troopers also ask drivers to be patient, leave enough following distance, and keep distractions at a minimum, to include refraining from taking photos of the sights while behind the wheel.

WSDOT says drivers should consider going early to avoid the extra traffic, provide plenty of time to reach their destination(s) and expect delays. Real-time traveler information is available on the WSDOT mobile app and by following the WSDOT region Twitter account.

By law, WSDOT is required to open the Hood Canal Bridge draw span to mariner traffic within one hour’s notice, and motorists are advised to expect up to 60-minute delay with each opening. A list of non-military bridge openings is available online.