Welcome salmon as Issaquah's big festival turns 40

Issaquah welcomes fall's spawning salmon to town with entertainment, arts and crafts, food and kids' activities at the 40th Issaquah Salmon Days Festival this weekend.

Bands, clowns, floats from around the Northwest, equestrian entries, school groups and dance groups kick off the festivities in a parade along Gilman Boulevard Saturday morning. Saturday and Sunday events include kid-friendly Field of Fun pony rides, DockDogs events, an alpaca petting zoo, hands-on arts and crafts, games, rides and a Kids Stage that features music, magic, puppets and the Reptile Guy.

More than 300 artists will fill the streets with an array of arts and crafts including pottery, clothing, jewelry, glass, metal, leather, wood and toys. Foods of the World includes the Kiwanis salmon barbecue, a variety of salmon specialties, fair food and ethnic cuisine from 40 vendors. Check out the "ohfishal" festival T-shirts, hats, jackets and souvenirs. On Saturday, pose for pictures with festival mascot Sammy the salmon.

Bluegrass music greets returning salmon at the new Hatchery Stage, one of four festival entertainment venues. Other music all weekend includes swing, rock and blues with the Astro Cats, Rainy City Riff Raff, Beckie Sue and Her Big Rockin' Daddies and more at the Front Street Stage. Appalachian clog dancers, Seattle Ukulele Players and File Gumbo Zydeco are among featured artists at the eclectic Go Fish! Stage. Rainier Boulevard Stage's entertainment is Woodstock-themed and suggests funky 1970s fashions to celebrate Issaquah Salmon Days' and Woodstock's shared 40-year anniversary.

Issaquah's fish hatchery, spawning coho and chinook salmon since 1936, is the heart of the Salmon Days Festival, with docents, exhibits, displays and activities all day Saturday and Sunday.

The details

Time: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Parade: 10 a.m. Saturday, from Front Street North and Dogwood Street, then on Northwest Gilman Boulevard to 12th Avenue Northeast, Issaquah.

Cost: Free.

Location: Memorial Field, Salmon Hatchery and other locations throughout downtown Issaquah. Downtown streets closed to vehicles. No pets allowed.

Getting there: From westbound Interstate 90, take Exit 15 (Highway 900/Newport Way), turn right onto Highway 900, then left onto Newport Way. From eastbound I-90, take Exit 17 (Front Street) and turn left on Front Street to downtown Issaquah. Pay parking lots available at several downtown Issaquah locations; free parking and $2/person round-trip shuttle service to the festival available 9 a.m.-7 p.m., every 15-20 minutes, from Issaquah Park-and-Ride lot, Newport Way and Highway 900; Costco corporate parking lot, Northwest Lake Drive off 11th Avenue Northwest, Issaquah; Issaquah Highlands Park-and-Ride lot, Northeast Park Drive and Northeast High Street, Issaquah. Disabled parking at Staples, 626 Front St., Issaquah. Free bicycle parking near the fish hatchery, 125 W. Sunset Way, Issaquah. Metro Transit information, 206-553-3000 or tripplanner.metrokc.gov/.

More information: 425-392-0661 or salmondays.org.

Madeline McKenzie: 206-464-8245 or mmckenzie@seattletimes.com