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Salmon Fest needs volunteers

Port Alberni's 42nd annual Salmon Festival starts Aug. 30.

Port Alberni’s 42nd annual Salmon Festival is fast approaching and volunteers are still needed to help out at the Labour Day long weekend event.

Cec Hamilton of the Kiwanis Club said the festival still needs volunteers to help serve food such as burgers, and with the set-up and teardown of tents and chairs.

“We have to be out of there immediately after it’s over,” Hamilton said. “We especially need help putting everything away on the last day.”

Hamilton also said there is some concern with the amount of entries this year as this year’s festival will be all about the coho.

“There is a little worry that there won’t be many entries because of the lack of spring salmon,” Hamilton said.

“But we are still going to try and make it a successful event.”

Because of low chinook returns Salmon Fest organizers have agreed to a coho-only derby.

This year’s Salmon Festival is Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 at Clutesi Haven Marina.

Some of the highlights include the $10,000 prize for the largest coho caught during the derby, the salmon barbecue, fishermen’s breakfast, entertainment and a beer garden. There will also be a celebrity dunk tank..

Profits generated from the event go towards funding local causes such as the Salvation Army, various sporting groups and community events such as the city’s Our Town summer festivities.

To volunteer, please call 250-723-6008. More information on the Salmon Festival can be found at www.salmonfestival.ca.

reporter@albernivalleynews.com