Salmon Run Wild through Downtown Anchorage

June 4, 2004 - This summer, 30 wild salmon will be swimming through Anchorage, Alaska, when the 2004 Wild Salmon on Parade (WSOP) season opens June 7, 2004. Reeling from a successful run in 2003, wildly decorated salmon sculptures will be on display to celebrate one of Alaska's most unique and abundant resources - wild salmon.

Five-foot, artistically transformed salmon sculptures, include creations such as Fishing for Compliments, A-lure-ing Salmon and Salmo-rai. The fish will make their public debut June 6, 2004, during a kick-off celebration, then swim to sidewalk locations the following week along the WSOP Walking Tour. New locations for the fish this year will be the Alaska Zoo and the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.

Several special events and activities are planned to complement this summer-long celebration, including the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers (IBEW) King and Silver Salmon Derbies held in downtown Anchorage - anglers can cast their chance to reel in cash prizes from the waters of Ship Creek.

Local restaurants will feature special wild salmon delicacies, and at key locations throughout the city, WSOP walking tour participants will have the opportunity to enter a drawing to win a "small fry" designed by a local artist.

The season wraps up with the Ship Creek Silver Salmon Fishing Derby and the Fish Fry & Buy dinner where the salmon sculptures will be auctioned. Proceeds benefit Foster Grandparents and Senior Companion Programs of Alaska, the Anchorage Cultural Council and the Anchorage Waterways Council.

Explore www.anchorage.net/salmon for a virtual WSOP Walking Tour and cast a vote for the best wild salmon statue. Maps will be available at the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) Log Cabin and Downtown Visitor Information Center at 4th Avenue and F Street or can be downloaded from the Web site.

"Wild Salmon on Parade" is designed as an annual festival, modeled after Cows on Parade in Chicago and the Pigs on Parade in Seattle. The event and surrounding activities will increase community awareness and appreciation of salmon habitat, history and physical properties. Each salmon is sponsored by an organization or business.

Key Dates

IBEW Ship Creek King Salmon Fishing Derby -- June 4 - 13, 2004
Wild Salmon on Parade Walking Tour -- June - August 15, 2004
2004 Wild Salmon on Parade debut -- June 6, 2004
IBEW Ship Creek Silver Salmon Fishing Derby -- August 13 - 22, 2004
Humpy's Marathon -- August 15, 2004
Off-the-Hook Block Party -- August 15, 2004
Fish Fry & Buy -- September 10, 2004

The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau's mission is to attract and serve visitors to the Municipality of Anchorage. ACVB's marketing functions are funded by half of the bed tax collected by the lodging association. The other half goes to the Municipality's general fund. ACVB receives no state or federal funds. For more information, explore www.anchorage.net/salmon.

SOURCE Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau