In celebration of the abundant return of pink salmon, Pacific Salmon Foundation’s Campbell River Pink Salmon Festival will serve up delicious samplings to the public.
The object of the festival is to promote pink salmon as a sustainable and nutritious seafood choice.
This is the second year for the event and it will be held at Robert Ostler Park on Saturday, July 27 from noon until 4 p.m.
Attendees will be treated to barbecued pink salmon sliders prepared by the Kinsmen Club of Campbell River.
All of the pink salmon has been donated by Canadian Fishing Company and sides and salads have been donated by Save-On-Foods.
There is no admission charge for the festival which will also feature entertainment, family activities and educational exhibits.
Pink salmon are a nutritious food source that has traditionally been overlooked by the public
In the Pacific, pinks are the most abundant and sustainable salmon species – returning in very large numbers, so they can be sustainably harvested without damage to the overall resilience of the population.
Also, purchasing pink salmon can help support B.C. fishers who have struggled over the last decade with low salmon returns.
“Our message to the public is that we as consumers have the power to ensure that salmon have a future for us to enjoy,” said Dr. Brian Riddell, president & CEO of the Pacific Salmon Foundation. “Pink salmon have the ability to serve as an abundant human food source while also adequately supporting ecosystems that depend on them for survival.”
This year’s festival will feature a variety of exhibits for the entire family.
The day will kick off with a Pink Bicycle Parade for the kids and anglers will have the opportunity to take in casting and fly tying demonstrations.
Several local restaurants will also be in attendance, and they are will be supporting the Foundation through the contribution of a donation from seafood entrees.
Wooden pink salmon will line the stores on Shoppers Row, where the downtown core of Campbell River will truly go Pink for the month of July.
Since 1989 the Pacific Salmon Foundation has invested more than $600,000 into 98 salmon conservation, restoration and enhancement projects in the Campbell River region.
These funds have been leveraged by local volunteers, and through in-kind labor and added donations have had a total impact of more than $4.8 million.