Wenatchee River Salmon Festival to celebrate culture, connection and conservation

The Wenatchee River Salmon Festival is set for September 20 at Rocky Reach Park, offering free admission from 10 a. m. to 5 p. m. This year's theme, “Currents of Connection,” highlights the Columbia River's importance to local communities and wildlife.

Festival activities will include Native American cultural experiences, hands-on exhibits, and environmental education programs, featuring 45 educators from 11 tribes. Tuck’ush Man, a 92-year-old medicine man, will lead the Salmon Dance, a ceremony that expresses gratitude for the salmon and aims to pass traditions to younger generations. “The dance is about praying for the salmon,” said Two Bears, Tuck’ush Man's wife. An educational program will engage approximately 2,000 local third- and fourth-grade students on September 18 and 19, focusing on outdoor science activities. The festival is organized by multiple partners, including Chelan PUD and Microsoft.

More information can be found at salmonfest. org and on the festival’s Facebook page.