Chapman Creek Hatchery is hosting the fourth annual Rivers Day Salmon Festival on Saturday, Oct. 15, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.This is a great family opportunity to learn more about Sunshine Coast salmon, their life cycles and the Chapman Creek watershed. Volunteers will be on hand to provide guided educational tours of the hatchery and its operations.Spawning chum salmon can be watched from the viewing platform, water conditions permitting.Displays will include the hatchery's 16' by 6' model of the Chapman Creek watershed. In addition there will be displays by Howe Sound Pulp and Paper, Ruby Lake Conservation Society, the Sechelt Indian Band, Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Trout Tales.Barbecued salmon burgers made with fresh Chapman Creek coho will be available along with hot dogs and soft drinks.This is also a chance to learn more about the non-profit, community-owned hatchery operated by the Sunshine Coast Salmonid Enhancement Society. With just two paid employees and a band of volunteers who collectively donate more than 2,500 hours annually, between 500,000 and 800,000 salmon are released into Chapman Creek every year. In addition thousands of cutthroat trout are raised and released into Sunshine Coast lakes. All this provides exciting and fruitful opportunities for local anglers and surprisingly, not all the volunteers are anglers themselves.In addition, the society provides an education program and curriculum approved by School District No. 46, which is attended by hundreds of students each year.Salmon are an integral part of West Coast history, culture and activities, not to mention our menus. Rivers Day provides an opportunity for Sunshine Coast residents to find out more about their own river and its salmon population.You will find the hatchery at the end of Parkway Drive. Turn off the highway on Field Road at the Wilson Creek Plaza and watch for the signs.
