What’s our Story?

Celebrating the Return of the Salmon

The Wenatchee River Salmon Festival is held each year to celebrate the return of the salmon to our northwest rivers. The rivers that are home to the salmon also provide sustenance for birds, frogs, salamanders, foxes, deer, bugs, bears and countless trees, bushes, and flowers.

We depend on these same waters to provide electricity for our homes, irrigation for our crops, livelihoods for our fishermen, and a place for our families to play, picnic, camp and hike.

A Multi-Day Natural Resource Education Extravaganza

An exciting menu of hands-on activities and “edutainment” gives students from throughout North Central Washington and the public a unique opportunity to discover and appreciate the complexities of the natural world and the significance of salmon to people of the northwest. The Festival has traditionally been held on the grounds of the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery, located at the mouth of the scenic Icicle Canyon near Leavenworth, Washington but due to ongoing construction at the hatchery, the festival has moved to the Rocky Reach Dam Discovery Center in 2022 and 2023.

People, Natural Resources, Education, Entertainment and Science

Since its 1991 inception, the Festival has remained true to its natural resource education mission while updating and augmenting activities to keep the messages fresh, timely and engaging. In response, the event has become nationally recognized for its educational excellence.

2023 Event Theme: "Salmon People" at Rocky Reach Dam Discovery Center!

Please join us in congratulating the 2023 Grand Prize Poster Contest winner, Ellie Mae B. from Alpine Lakes Elementary! Every year, Salmon Fest gets a fresh new theme that is conveyed through festival activities and artwork.

Activities & Exhibits

The list evolves every year with some notable long-time offerings. See this year’s list of events on the School Days and Community Day pages.

Salmon Maze
Native American Village
Giant Fish Aquarium
Hatchery History

Pollinator Garden
Sardis Raptor Center
Wheel of Fish
Community Chalk Art Project

Gyotaku
Web of Life
Salmon Storytelling Tent
Rolling Rivers

Outdoor Recreation

Outdoor recreation activities are on hold due to our move to the Rocky Reach Dam & Discovery Center. We are hopeful for it’s return in future years.

Archery
Disc Golf
Climbing Wall

Fly Fishing
Atlatl Throw
Scavenger Hunt

Chelan PUD Native American Village

Thanks to the Chelan County PUD for bringing their one-of-a-kind Native American Village event to Salmon Fest to greatly expand and enhance the event’s offerings. The Native American Village provides an education experience for visitors to learn about some of our Northwest Native American cultures. It also provides a valuable opportunity for natives of all ages to come together to share their traditions and experiences.

Watch a Video from Salmon Fest Community Day!

Nationally Recognized & Awarded

National Association for Interpretation Media Award
“Kids in the Creek”

Gold Summit Award
Environmental Program

Silver Summit Award
Children’s Program

Bronze Summit Award
Newspaper Insert
Washington Festivals and Events Association

National Environmental Leadership Award
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

“Sense of Wonder Award”
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
…connecting kids with nature

Best Children’s Program
Best Environmental Program
Washington Festivals and Events Association

“Women in Natural Resources”
Feature story in national magazine, highlighting Salmon Fest organizers

Pinnacle Award – International award for “Best Environmental Education”
International Festivals and Events Association

Carl L. Sullivan Award – “Most Outstanding Conservation Education Event in the United States”
American Fisheries Society International Convention, Hartford, Connecticut

Summit Award for Best Environmental Education
Washington Festivals and Events Association

Caring for the Land – “Excellence in Team Collaboration and a Standard of Education Unmatched in the Region”
Pacific Northwest Region 6, USDA Forest Service

Summit Award for Environmental Education
Washington Festivals and Events Association

Conservationist of the Year
Trout Unlimited

Summit Award for Environmental Education
Washington Festivals and Events Association

Academic Excellence Award
Leavenworth Kiwanis Club

Volunteer Organization of the Year
American Fisheries Society

Outstanding Conservation Education
Environmental Education Association of Washington (EEAW)

Festival Hosts, Partners, Sponsors and Supporters

The success of Salmon Festival is due in large part to enthusiastic participation and cooperation from both the public and private sectors. The partnerships below are the key ingredient to our Festival’s creativity and vitality. Learn about Sponsorship Opportunities.