Celebrate Alaska Wild Salmon Day on Aug. 10

From Dillingham to Soldotna and Anchorage to Palmer to Fairbanks, residents are getting ready to celebrate with gusto Alaska’s first Wild Salmon Day on Aug. 10.

Legislation introduced by Rep. Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, and co-sponsored by 18 other legislators, was signed into law in May by Gov. Bill Walker.

Bristol Bay Native Corp. is hosting lunch, with live music from Hobo Jim, Alaska’s official state balladeer, and more, at their offices in midtown Anchorage.

More complimentary barbecue, plus demonstrations in support of stronger salmon habitat protections are planned at Anchorage’s Cuddy Midtown Park later in the afternoon, with entertainment including a bucking salmon and fat bike rides for kids, a salmon toss with prizes and free ice cream.

In Dillingham, the Bristol Bay Economic Development Corp. has planned a community barbecue with lots of activities, ranging from a salmon experience obstacle run and sustainable smoothies, to salmon spin art and salmon delicacy and salmon dip competition.
A party at the Soldotna Creek Park starting early in the afternoon in that Kenai Peninsula community will feature salmon-themed kids activities, food and music.

The celebration at the Palmer Depot, in the Matanuska Valley, will include a community art project and workshops, film screenings of local salmon videos and more, and in Fairbanks, a panel of experts will discuss local connections to king salmon before a screen of the film documentary “The Breach.”

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Harvester, environmental groups and others also suggest celebrating the day by making salmon art with the family, grilling salmon with friends and posting photos on social media with the hashtag “#aksalmonday,” taking the kids fishing, and volunteering or donating to aid salmon conservation work.

More information is online at www.aksalmonday.com/ways-to-celebrate.

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