This story was last updated on July 16.
The wait is nearly over for the annual Copper River Salmon Jam.
The Cordova Arts & Pageants fundraiser is happening this Friday and Saturday, July 17-18, at Mt. Eccles Elementary School. The event was formerly set to take place at the ski hill, however organizers decided to move it indoors due to incoming weather.
Participants will enjoy live music from 5-11 p.m. on Friday, as well as an artisan market and food vendors. The headliner – The Wet Spots – will perform at 8 p.m.
The festival continues all day Saturday, beginning with the Alaska Salmon Runs race at 7 a.m. The annual run is inspired by Irene Webber, who ran the first King Salmon Marathon solo in 1986, and is meant to serve as a tribute to the salmon-centered ecosystem of Cordova.
Registered runners will take off from the Cordova Community Medical Center parking lot for an array of different races: the full marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, and 1-mile fun run. The cost of each spans from $25 to $80, depending on the race.
Runners and community members will then have a chance to eat at the Salmon Runs BBQ at Pioneer Igloo starting at 12:30 p.m. Bring a dish or pay $15/adult or $8/child for lunch.
Later at Mt. Eccles, the second night of the festival will be in full force.
Small Fry Kids’ Activities will be open from 3-5 p.m. The market will be open from 3-10 p.m., and live music will fill the air from 3-11 p.m. The headlining band will take the stage again at 8 p.m.
To buy weekend or one-night passes – which range from $15-$30 for students and $30-$60 for adults – visit cdvarts.org/salmon-jam/.
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