PULASKI – Bring the kids to the 13th annual Salmon River Festival this Columbus Day weekend. Enjoy family fun from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 6 at the South Park on Route 11 in Pulaski.
“This free event is a lot of fun for visitors and residents,” said Brian Leary, festival organizer and president of the Pulaski-Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce. “We have something for the whole family, including live music with local bands and a wide variety of family-friendly entertainment throughout the day.”
Kids will enjoy games and activities in the park as well as a visit with the alpacas from Two Chicks Farm Alpacas in Rodman, New York. Auto enthusiasts welcome the return of the Salmon River Festival Antique and Classic Car Show parked along Broad Street behind the bandstand.
Browse jewelry and vintage items along with crafts and unique handmade products. Shop for seasonal produce from area farmers and savor delicious fares from a variety of food vendors, such as the Pulaski Masons’ chicken barbeque and the Pulaski Lions Club food wagon.
Several local attractions have partnered with the festival organizers to offer additional activities. The Salmon River Fine Arts Center presents an Arts and Crafts Show at the Ringgold Fire Hall on Lake Street from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the Pulaski Historical Society on Maple Avenue hosts an open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
From Oct. 5 to 7, the Salmon River Fishing Derby, the largest river derby in the Northeast, returns to the famed Salmon River for its second year. The Salmon River International Sportfishing Museum on state Route 13 in Pulaski is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and the NYS DEC Salmon River Fish Hatchery on county Route 22 in Altmar is open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
“Expert anglers the world over agree that the Salmon River is one of the premier king salmon fishing spots in the nation,” said Vernon Chamberlain, derby organizer and president of the Salmon River International Sportfishing Museum. “It features 12 miles of prime fishing real estate with public access to all licensed anglers, as well as an additional four miles of privately managed land known as the Douglaston Salmon Run.”
The tournament offers a grand prize, 100 percent payout for the largest king salmon caught over the three-day event. There will be daily weigh-ins and thousands of dollars in smaller prizes awarded for various additional categories.
Derby registration and weigh-in station are located at Ringgold Firemen’s Dunbar Field at the end of Lewis Street, just off Route 11 in Pulaski. Here, visitors will also find live music, a food court and vendors with items and displays specific to the fishing industry.
The tournament and festival welcome an impressive list of sponsors such as Lake Ontario Outdoors Magazine, Team E Media Outdoors, All Seasons Sports, Tug Edge Outdoors, Lakeshore Hardwoods, Salmon Hills Resort and the Salmon River International Sportfishing Museum.
Other sponsors include Camping World and Camping World RV, Dick’s Auto, White’s Lumber, Trestle Pool Lodge, Good Luck Lodge, River House Restaurant, Clearview Fireplace & Pool and the Oswego County Community Development, Tourism and Planning Department.
Additional support has been provided by many fine small businesses in the eastern Lake Ontario region.
For festival details, call Brian Leary at 315-298-6407.
For derby questions, contact Vernon Chamberlain at 315-298-9990 or [email protected]. For rules and weigh-ins, visit the derby Web site at www.salmonriverderby.com.
For more information about upcoming events in Oswego County, call the Oswego County Tourism Office at 1-800-596-3200 ext. 8322 or go to www.visitoswegocounty.com
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