For 29 years, the annual Nisqually Watershed Festival has celebrated the Nisqually’s history, culture, and natural resources. Join us on Saturday, September 29, at the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, for the 29th annual Festival, and be part of our unique legacy of community and conservation!
The festival is a free, daylong event featuring art, discovery, music, and a whole lot of family fun. Check out the “Insect Extravaganza,” where guests can view insects from around the world, as well as their own backyard. You can also listen to stories in the Red Salmon Tent, dress up to take part in a critter parade, join a guided nature walk, and board a shuttle to the Nisqually Reach Nature Center to take a tour of the Nisqually nearshore.
Main stage events include a live raptor show, wildlife presentations, and much, much more, including Nisqually Stream Stewards graduation and award ceremony for the student Poster Contest. (This year’s Best In Show Festival Poster was designed by Sydney Skaulem, a 5th grader at Olympic Elementary School!)
The always-popular salmon barbecue is back, along with a Hawaiian barbecue, a shellfish tasting from Taylor Shellfish, and other delicious food options.
Several non-profits and local agencies will be there to share educational and hands-on activities, crafts, and information. You can explore the local ecosystem in a marine touch tank and learn about salmon habitat by climbing inside a 25-foot long replica salmon. Craft stations offer learning opportunities by making a salmon life cycle key chain or painting a wooden fish to be displayed at next year’s festival. And don’t forget to bring a t-shirt or dishtowel to make your own Nisqually salmon print fashion (or make one on paper to display).
The many communities of the watershed have worked hard for many years to protect and restore this unique place. The Festival is our chance to celebrate these accomplishments and showcase makes the Nisqually special. Come join us!
For more information about the festival, visit: https://nisquallyriver.org/nisquallywatershedfestival/
Free parking and shuttle to the festival will be available at River Ridge High School, 350 River Ridge Drive, Lacey. Map: http://goo.gl/maps/Y2gND
