If you’ve ever wanted to do an anthropological study on the relationship between old hippies and wild salmon (who hasn’t?), the Issaquah Salmon Days Festival is fertile ground for field work. I go each year with my family and enjoy “Fishy, Family, Fun,” that is “Spawnsored” by Overlake Medical Clinics with Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery (F.I.S.H.) and run by a dedicated team of “OhFISHal” volunteers. It’s truly a dream come true.

The festival is chock full of one-of-a-kind artisan goods and folk art that puts Portlandia to shame.  You can even get a cactus planter modeled after your favorite classic Super Nintendo game. What will they think of next?

I think if one person could embody the soul of the Pacific Northwest it would probably be Harold Johnson. Harold Johnson is a wonderful painter who paints on site in a little tent at the festival. I hope that one day I can undergo a metaphysical, physical, sexual, emotional, spiritual transformation and become half the man he is. He’s worth checking out.

Delicious culinary adventures abound across the festival. You’ve got your classic corn dogs, pizza, kettle corn, and elephant ears, along with samosas, ethiopian food, asian fusion burritos, and of course, salmon.

Salmon Days is the perfect place to stock up on gifts for your loved ones. Especially Moms. Need a hand-painted platter with a picture of a chicken riding in a truck on it? Your wish is Debbie Dean’s command.

If you get tuckered out shopping and eating, you can always stop by the Magical Strings stand and take a breather with some soothing harp music. Now might be the time for you to finally by that harp you’ve always wanted.

               Salmon Days only comes once a year, so don’t miss it this year Oct. 3rd – 4th.

The Spawn is ON!!