American River Salmon Festival

Salmon Festival (click image for detail)

The 8th annual American River Salmon Festival is an exciting two-day event full of fun, entertaining and educational activities for the whole family.

The American River Salmon Festival, Rancho Cordova, CA
October 9-10, 2004  10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and more than 400 volunteers, as well as the parking fees collected for the event, funds generated by the Salmon Festival help protect salmon and the American River.

Over 60 participating organizations shows their strong interest in and commitment to the protection of salmon and the American River.

Salmon Festival proceeds help support grants to schools for bus scholarships, “Salmon in the Classroom” materials and high school clubs doing river conservation projects and a community grants program.
Nonprofit organizations volunteering at the festival also receive funds.

Enjoy barbecued salmon with all the fixin’s or a variety of food booths to satisfy your appetite. $8 per adult and $5 per child for Wild Salmon BBQ plate.

Presented by: Capital Chefs Association, California Salmon Council, Whole Foods, Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District

Music & Dance

Tap your feet to great live music and enjoy dances by area’s youth cultural groups. Click to See schedule of Bands.

Coordinated by: California Department of Fish and Game

American Indian Demonstrations

Learn about living on the river including salmon fishing and preparation, fish traps, weaving demonstration, acorn grinding, California traditional singing and dancing, jewelry and crafts.

Hosts: California Rural Indian Health Board, Inc.

Culinary Demonstrations 

Watch and learn as top local chefs prepare different salmon recipes. And yes, samples are given! At 11am, Noon, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm.

Hosts: Cosumnes River College Culinary Arts & Management program.

River Rafting

Take an educational 45-minute trip down the American River to the Sunrise Bridge and shuttle back to the festival. Trips run at 10:45am, 12:15pm, 1:45pm, and 3:15pm. Donations are appreciated. Sign up at the Friends and the River Booth in exhibitor area.

River Trail and Investigations

Investigate the river and the natural habitat that surrounds it. Enjoy nature games and river exploration. 
 
A-mazing Maze

Become a salmon and journey through California’s waterways, encountering threats to your survival.

Hosts: CA Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

Pond Quest

Become an aquatic detective at a shallow pond.

Hosts: California Department of Water Resources

American River Art Show and Crafts Take in paintings depicting salmon and nature of the American River, and enjoy nature-related crafts that will delight you with creativity.

Art show presented: by Chroma Art Gallery.

Giant Aquarium

Get face to face with Salmon in a 40-foot aquarium. Educational programs every half hour on the hour.

Salmon Shop

Salmon merchandise for sale.

Host: American River Natural History Association.

Exhibits

Enjoy educational exhibits all day long.

Host: U.S. Bureau of Land Management

Visitor Center

Dive into the watery world of salmon at the visitor center.

Meet "Seemore Salmon"

Take a picture with a friendly giant Salmon.

Host: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

For more information and a complete schedule to their web site, http://www.salmonfestival.net/