Salmon Days Festival to feature Vietnam-era patrol boat
October 2, 2012
Members of the Gamewardens Association Inc., Vietnam to Present, stand in front of a Vietnam-era patrol boat. The association is bringing the boat to Salmon Days and offering guided tours to the public. Contributed
Salmon Days revelers can get a firsthand look at a Vietnam-era river patrol boat, similar to the ones featured in the film “Apocalypse Now,” at this year’s event.
The Northwest chapter of the Gamewardens Association Inc., Vietnam to Present, will participate in the parade aboard a fully operational Mark II Patrol Boat, River, or PBR, on Saturday. The group will also offer guided tours of the boat at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery.
The association is an organization whose members fought or supported combat operations as part of Task Force 116, also known as Operation Gamewardens, on the rivers and canals during the Vietnam War, according to Stephen Morrison, the Northwest chapter’s president.
Salmon Days Festival catches international honors
October 2, 2012
The iconic Salmon Days Festival caught six international honors, festival organizers announced Sept. 24.
The awards from the International Festivals & Events Association recognized the 2011 festival and the theme “Wild Things!” Salmon Days earned a prestigious Bronze Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Award — a top honor for festivals — plus awards for clothing and merchandise.
The festival competes against other events in the $250,000 to $749,999 budget category.
Salmon Days received top — or Gold — honors for Best Hat, Best Other Merchandise and Best Miscellaneous Clothing.
Salmon Days Festival catches international honors
September 24, 2012
NEW — 6 p.m. Sept. 24, 2012
The iconic Salmon Days Festival caught six international honors, festival organizers announced Monday.
The awards from the International Festivals & Events Association recognized the 2011 festival and the theme “Wild Things!” Salmon Days a prestigious Bronze Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Award — a top honor for festivals — plus awards for clothing and merchandise.
The festival competes against other events in the $250,000 to $749,999 budget category.
Salmon Days received top — or Gold — honors for Best Hat, Best Other Merchandise and Best Miscellaneous Clothing.
In addition to the Bronze Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Award, Salmon Days also received Bronze honors for Best T-Shirt Design and Best Pin or Button.
Salmon Days Festival volunteer sign-up party is Sept. 12
September 11, 2012
Salmon Days Festival organizers need a phalanx of volunteers to offer directions to festivalgoers, sell souvenirs, drive a shuttle bus and, importantly, clean up after the event concludes.
Issaquah hosts meeting on farmland preservation
September 11, 2012
Join the King County Agriculture Commission in Issaquah to learn about land protection and access to farmers markets for low-income residents.
The commission is hosting a public panel discussion at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery on Sept. 13 to discuss existing farmland preservation programs in King County. The agenda also includes a discussion about the Farmers Market Access Project, a program to enable farmers markets shoppers to use credit, debit and Basic Food cards at markets.
The commission meets from 4-7 p.m. in the hatchery’s Watershed Science Center, 125 W. Sunset Way.
The commission is a group of volunteer citizen agricultural experts responsible for advising the county on policy and regulatory issues, farmland preservation and strategies to keep agriculture viable.
Issaquah Salmon Hatchery celebrates 75 years
September 4, 2012
See salmon, Snoqualmie carver at open house
Members of Girl Scout Troop 200 and some Canadian Girl Scout guests sit at the edge of one of the fish ponds Oct. 3, 1970, during a tour of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery given by Mayor Keith Hansen (far left) during the first Salmon Festival. File
Salmon reached the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery late last month, but the arrival is not the only celebration at the downtown landmark.
Press Editorial
September 4, 2012
Healthy ecosystem supports salmon
Last week, the first returning salmon of 2012 were seen at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery where they have come home to spawn. More will follow in the fall months ahead, crowding the many tributaries that feed into Lake Sammamish.
A healthy return of the Northwest’s favorite fish is an important symbol of the health of our streams, lakes and Puget Sound ecosystems.
While some residents are crying about the imposition of tough city laws meant to strengthen the salmon’s habitat — and our own — the fact remains that Issaquah has embraced its role as watershed steward. Our waterways are healthier today than 10, 20 or 30 years ago.
Spawn is on as first salmon reach Issaquah hatchery
August 28, 2012
Salmon spawning season at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery started early Aug. 25 as a hatchery docent-in-training spotted the first fish, a small chinook in Issaquah Creek.
Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery gift shop opens
August 28, 2012
The nonprofit Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery is reviving the popular hatchery gift shop, or FISHop, starting Labor Day weekend.
The gift shop debuted last year, and organizers plan to offer salmon- and Issaquah-themed merchandise for another salmon season. The shop is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 18.
Merchandise includes apparel, books, pins, games, toys and more. Based on the success last year, the shop will include expanded lines of merchandise to celebrate salmon and Issaquah, and offers educational materials and souvenirs for visitors.
FISHop is on the west end of the main hatchery building, 125 W. Sunset Way, near the bridge across Issaquah Creek.
FISH is also seeking artists of salmon- or watershed-themed works to sell. Contact Jane Kuechle at 392-1118 or jane@issaquahfish.org.
Spawning salmon reaches Issaquah Salmon Hatchery
August 27, 2012
NEW — 2 p.m. Aug. 27, 2012
Salmon spawning season at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery started early Aug. 25 as a hatchery docent-in-training spotted the first fish, a small chinook in Issaquah Creek.
The recent drop in temperature aided the salmon on a long journey from the Pacific Ocean to Issaquah Creek. Cool conditions often prompt the fish to depart Lake Sammamish and head upstream.
The initial fish, a female, or hen, appeared just below the weir across the creek at the hatchery. The arrival occurred as Friends of the Issaquah Salmon conducted training for docents and other volunteers.
Late August is a typical arrival time for spawning salmon. The hatchery recorded the initial fish last year, a pair of chinook, early Aug. 23.
