Every September, thousands of Salmon migrate to the Feather River Fish Hatchery in Oroville, California, to spawn- and every September people flock to Downtown Oroville to have a bunch of fun. The hatchery was built in 1967 after the construction of the Oroville Dam. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the hatchery is one of the most advanced and successful fish hatcheries in California.
Eager fish climb the ladder every fall. And every fall, people flock to the hatchery on a continual basis to watch the fish finish their long journey. It is a tradition that has been handed down from generation to generation. It is one of my favorite memories of growing up in Otown. A festival in honor of the determined fish is held at the end of September each year.
The annual Salmon Dinner is a popular event of the Salmon Festival. It is held at the Nature Center near the Old Bath House. There has been no shortage of food at past festivals —from barbeque to tamales to tri tip and, of course, Salmon.
There has also been popcorn, kettle corn and other yummy treats at these festivals. Entertainment is another common feature as well. Bands can typically be found on the levee, in the streets, and all around town. Whether it’s rock, country, jazz, or other types of music, no one was ever left disappointed.
Vendors also take part in the day-long event. There are always all kinds of unique items for sale, many made from recycled materials—saving our landfills and beautifying our homes. At the end of the day, no doubt everyone goes home exhausted but happy—and anticipating the following year’s Salmon Festival.
Tours of the fish hatchery are another big feature of the festival. Attendees can view the fish and the spawning process up close, get a detailed explanation on how the hatchery functions, learn the history of the hatchery and find out how it benefits not only the Salmon but also Oroville and the surrounding communities.
The Street Fair is traditionally a huge part of the festival. There is always tons of shopping, food, music, games, and more. New treasures can always be discovered during the Street Fair each year. The Salmon Court is probably the biggest attraction of the annual Salmon Festival.
Gourmet food, barbequed foods, and naturally, Salmon are served up to hungry attendees. A beer and wine garden is usually included in the festivities too. Local artists often display their wares as well. There is often even a health fair, where free health screenings are offered.
Another great part of the festival is the free shuttle that transports riders on a continuous loop between Riverbend Park and the corner of Grand Avenue and Table Mountain Boulevard so they didn’t miss a single feature of the Salmon Festival. For more information on the Salmon Festival, go to the official website. To learn more about the hatchery, go to the Fish and Game online learning center.