Wenatchee River Salmon Festival returns on Sept. 21

WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee River Salmon Festival will take place on Sept. 21 at Rocky Reach Park and Discovery Center, offering educational activities and cultural experiences centered around salmon conservation and the region's ecosystem.

The annual event, themed "Salmon Symphony," will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors can participate in activities such as learning about canoe carving, dissecting fish, and exploring the life cycle of migrating salmon.

A Native American village will showcase the cultural heritage of the region. The festival will feature 43 Native American educators and exhibitors representing 11 tribes and bands from the plateau region, Pacific Northwest, and beyond.

Prior to the public event, approximately 2,000 third and fourth-grade students from the area will attend educational sessions on Sept. 19 and 20. The festival has received awards, including "Best Children's Program" from the International Festivals and Events Association.

The Wenatchee River Salmon Festival is hosted by Chelan PUD, Friends of Northwest Hatcheries, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and Bonneville Power Administration. Community sponsors include Confluence Health, Cascade Autocenter, Wenatchee Sportsmen's Association, Chelan Douglas Retirees Association, Crunch Pak, Stemilt and Microsoft.

Admission to the festival is free. More information can be found at salmonfest.org.