The Copper River Salmon Jam, the annual cultural event celebrating Alaska’s wild salmon, is on from July 18-19.
The main event, the Salmon Jam Music Festival, will take place at the Mt. Eyak Ski Area. The music festival itself is the annual fundraiser for the Cordova Arts Council, and proceeds from Salmon Jam help support year-round cultural and education activities in the community. These activities make art available to the community and help educate youths, including special performances during the school year for all students.
Featured performers include Indiana Commune on Friday night and Good Company on Saturday night.
Live music and an artisan market are scheduled for 5-11 p.m. on July 18, with special wristbands required to enter the area.
Alaska Salmon Runs races are set for Saturday, with opening ceremonies at 9:45 a.m., followed by the Salmon Run barbeque at the Pioneer Igloo. The runs include a marathon, half-marathon, 10k, 5k and one-mile fun run. Register for these runs at the Bidarki Recreation Center or at salmonjam.org/event/alaska-salmon-runs/. Everyone is asked to bring a dish to share or pay $15 per adult and $8 per child.
Taste of Cordova, the annual community potluck, is scheduled for Saturday from 3-5 p.m. Sign up via [email protected] to volunteer and/or to bring a dish to share. Also during that time slot there will be small fry kids’ activities. The artisan market will continue until 10 p.m. on Saturday, as well as live music until 11 p.m.
As noted on the Copper River Salmon Jam website on social media, none of this would be happening without the staff and resources of community partners. Sponsors provide staff and materials to educate all who participate on the importance of salmon, their habitat and the human role as caretakers and consumers of the salmon.
For the full schedule of events, to volunteer, or to buy tickets, visit salmonjam.org/.
