How does Bristol Bay celebrate being 8 million sockeye over the preseason forecast and counting? With music, toddler races and a fish fillet contest at the 36th annual Fishtival in Naknek.
The Bristol Bay Borough Chamber of Commerce put on its 36th Fishtival this weekend in Naknek with a mix of competitions, art and cultural activities.
The event was dedicated to salmon from Thursday’s opening ceremony to the sockeye fillet contest and community potluck on Sunday. Dozens of events, including the Bear Grass Art & Music Festival, toddler races and color run kept residents and visitors busy.
Not everyone who might normally have made it to Fishtival was there this year. The sockeye runs to Bristol Bay’s east side districts were late by at least a week, so a substantial portion of the fleet was still out fishing.
Some events, such as the parade were more sparsely attended this year than previous years. Even so, organizers Mary Swain, Veronica Wood, and Mary Fulton were pleased with the turnout.
Swain said, “We were very worried because of the season being so late that nobody would be available to participate, but at the very last minute, everybody came through. What gauges participation is the bazaar, and it was packed.”
The Chamber of Commerce raised money selling raffle and split-the-pot tickets, and local groups raised money at the dozens of individual events.
From the processors with a free evening to the set netters who took off a tide and came into the town, Fishtival-goers got the chance to commemorate the region’s primary economic driver.
“This is our livelihood,” said Swain. “This is what Bristol Bay is. If it wasn’t for the fish, we wouldn’t be here…It just brings together the comradery of all of those people that make this community really what it is. It’s a time to celebrate them, and they deserve the celebration, honestly.”
With the total run of sockeye to Bristol Bay already 8 million past its preseason forecast of 51.3 million fish, revelers certainly had something to celebrate at Fishtival 2018.
Contact the author at avery@kdlg.org or 907-842-5281.
