PORT TOWNSEND — Something fishy is going on this weekend — and that’s a good thing, said organizers of the pair of “Cinco de Salmon” events planned Saturday and Sunday.
Salmon are an important part of the Northwest, both culturally and economically, and this will be recognized at the event to families and adults, said day volunteers with the North Olympic Salmon Coalition.
From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, a family-friendly salmon celebration will take place at the Car Wash, 515 Howard St., Port Townsend.
It will include information about local restoration efforts and fly fishing, tribal storytelling, music and games for children.
Fin, a 25-foot-long migrating salmon sculpture, will be a special guest, and children will be encouraged to climb into the belly of the metal beast.
As a promotion and awareness-raising about recycled water, $2 car washes will be available.
Sunday celebration
On Sunday, a salmon-oriented celebration will take place at the Pourhouse, 2231 Washington St., beginning at 6 p.m.
It will begin with a game of salmon trivia, where attendees can try their luck and answer questions about local fish and the people who love them.
And since it’s around dinner time, Dos Okies will be serving salmon barbecue.
Those who missed the opportunity to crawl inside Fin on Saturday will have another chance Sunday.
Both events are sponsored by the salmon coalition, which is teaming up with restoration and community partners in Jefferson and Clallam counties to celebrate habitat restoration efforts and salmon.
Raise awareness
“We want to raise awareness about the role of salmon in the Northwest, said volunteer Jac Entringer.
“Salmon has always been an iconic species in this area — a lot of people depend on it economically, and the removal of the Elwha Dam has increased awareness of salmon’s importance in the region.”
The location of the event at the Car Wash is meant to underscore how a simple behavioral change can help the environment.
The Car Wash, which opened last year, recycles its water — which means that less is dumped directly into Puget Sound, Entringer said.
“Just by driving a little less, you can help salmon because pollution is the biggest hazard to salmon’s health,” she said.
“One danger comes from the copper from brake pads that is left on the street and eventually finds its way into the Sound,” she added.
“For this reason, it is important to wash your car in a place where water is recycled or do it on something other than a concrete surface so it is absorbed into the ground rather than on the road where rain can wash it directly into the Sound.”
For more information about the weekend’s salmon celebrations, phone 360-379-8051.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
