Activities
2012 Wenatchee River Salmon Festival Activites
Agency and Organization Exhibits
Many agencies and organizations in our community share information through “hands-on” interactive activities. The Mid-Columbia Fisheries Resource Office, Audubon Society, Chelan County Dept. of Natural Resources and more will be joining us for this salmon celebration.
Arts & Crafts Vendors
Find the perfect nature-inspired gifts at the Arts & Crafts booths. The wonderful variety of items is all nature related, handmade or made in the U.S.!
Chalk Art
Watch art come alive on the sidewalk with colorful chalk! Local artists donate their time to create original, nature related pictures and you can see it happen on Saturday morning. It is simply beautiful.
Community Art Project Display
Last year’s Salmon Festival art project directed by local artist Teri Zimmerman is on display at the gazebo just across from the Hatchery Office. Teri and visitors to the festival in 2011 added pieces to the project over the course of the weekend to end up with a finished mosaic of salmon made from glass, rock and tile pieces. A one of a kind collaboration to honor the Salmon – don’t miss it!
Costume Parade
Children and parents are invited to dress in colorful costumes of birds, insects, wolves, and other creatures and “fly, hop, crawl, swim or walk” in a short parade down Chinook Avenue.
Creativity Corner Art Tent
Express yourself by creating your own salmon art with glue, paints, glitter and a lot more! Professional artists will help you find your creative side!
Discovery Garden
Students from the Cascade Discovery Program (alternative high school located on fish hatchery grounds) demonstrate horticultural practices in their beautiful garden.
Discovery Hunt
Kids can participate in a discovery hunt to test their knowledge of our natural resources. Answer questions, collect 10 stamps and win a prize!
Eye to Eye with Our Local Fish
Gaze through the crystal clear waters of this large aquarium and see freshwater fish up close. Learn more about our local fish species with a “user friendly” identification process.
Food Court
Try some tasty treats from our food court! A wide choice of snacks and full meals are available in the nice surroundings of Hatchery Park and the main stage venue.
Gyotaku
Capture your Salmon Festival experience in the same manner that Japanese fishermen once recorded their daily catch, by making a fish rubbing (gyo=fish, taku=rubbing). After the fish is painted, paper is carefully pressed over it for a colorful, lasting print.
Icicle Creek Nature Trail
Take a stroll on the beautiful one-mile trail that meanders along Icicle Creek. Keep an eye out for BIG SALMON looking for a place to spawn as their life cycle brings them back to where they began their journey.
L-Bow the Clown (Sunday Only)
Find L-Bow the Clown out on the grounds making animal balloons, juggling and just plain clowning around! And you can see him on the stage at 1:00 pm too for his one hour show!
Migration “Mini” Golf
Play a round of miniature golf while learning about the migration of salmon – it’s not so easy!
Native American Village
In this intertribal village you have an opportunity to observe Native American Indian culture first hand. Watch as native artisans create their beautiful bead work, learn how to use nature’s materials such as pelts and furs for clothing and shelter, watch the preparation of salmon using traditional methods of baking and drying and enjoy the drumming and dancing. This year’s featured addition – a newly constructed Long Tent in the Plateau Native tradition.
Outdoor Recreation Exhibits and Demos
Get Connected to the Outdoors! Join us at the outdoor recreation exhibit area where you may find everything to get started on a journey of discovery and fun! Experience kayaking, fly fishing or biking; learn about bow hunting, fly fishing, rafting and more! Get your questions answered about where to go, what to do and how to find it in the Cascades!
Recycled Rhythm Drum Band (Saturday only)
Catch the beat with Leavenworth local drummers at the gazebo, then parade to the main stage area and join in a drum circle! For all ages!
Rolling Rivers
Students and parents alike learn-through-playing in a giant sandbox! This hands-on interactive watershed modeling activity is a unique learning experience, in which participants learn the fundamental elements of a healthy and properly functioning watershed.
Salmon Maze
In this 40 by 40 foot barrier-free maze, experience the many challenges of aquatic life and migration when you discover yourself as salmon, hatching and struggling to survive. Meet predators along the way as you go through the salmon’s amazing life cycle. An activity sheet is given to each participant to complete.
Salmon Run (Sunday only)
Participate in our popular adult 10K run, or 5K walk, or kids can try the small fry race. All races take place in the beautiful Icicle Creek watershed. Sign up time 8:45 am at the hatchery.
Salmon Storytelling Tent
In this colorful 30-foot long nylon inflatable salmon tent, hear Native American legends conveying the importance of salmon, wildlife, and rivers to their culture, from creative and imaginative storytellers.
Salmon Tagging Trailer
Take a tour and learn about the latest technology in automated fish tagging.
Sardis Raptor Center
Gaze into the eyes of the majestic eagle, or learn fascinating facts about hawks, falcons and owls at the Hunters of the Sky presentations by one of the largest raptor rehabilitation centers in Washington.
What’s Hatching?
Take a guided hatchery tour by a hatchery employee and learn about the salmon’s life cycle, see live salmon eggs, discover how fish are aged, and watch the yearling salmon eat lunch.