Tucked in a tiny town in far Northern California, the upcoming 61st annual Salmon Festival will be a destination for all things salmon and for understanding the importance of the animal to so many Native American people.
Sponsored by the Yurok Native American tribe, the event typically draws 4,000 of people to downtown Klamath, a city of just over 600 people that’s situated about a quarter-mile from the Klamath River.
The daylong festival being held August 16 blends Native culture with sports, live music, art and food. Along with tourists, tribal members living along the Klamath River turn out, including people from the Hoopa, Yurok, Tolowa and Karuk tribes.
Expect to find about 150 mostly tribal vendors from California, Nevada and Oregon. They typically sell everything from clothing and jewelry to local foods, which in the past has included a family-made jam made from local huckleberries as well as shanks of fresh-caught salmon cooked over an open fire.
During basket-weaving demonstrations, a half-dozen Native crafters talk about their items and how they’re made.
And the sports tournaments? There are Indian card games, basketball, softball and stickball tournaments, which draw youth and adults alike.
The day starts with a multi-generational footrace, the Ney-Puy 5-K run/walk through town that carries the Yurok word for salmon and draws about 100 entrants. That’s followed by a parade drawing 30–40 meticulously-decorated floats.
The family-friendly event also offers a petting zoo and face painting.
And, for those wanting to make a weekend out of it, register for the 2-hour-long dugout canoe tour of a beautiful section of the Klamath River. The canoes are hand-carved from redwood trees and tours are led by expert Yurok captains who are well-versed in the area’s history and culture and will provide unique information and storytelling about the wildlife, geography and history of the Klamath River.
Michele Chandler covers dining, food, public safety and whatever else comes up for the Redding Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. Accepts story tips at 530-338-7753 and at mrchandler@gannett.com. Please support our entire newsroom’s commitment to public service journalism by subscribing today.