Go Jurassic! Celebrate an Ancient Fish this Weekend at Vancouver Water Center's 13th Annual Sturgeon Festival!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Contact: Ginger May, Water Resources Education Center, (360) 487-7111

Join the free celebration of the Columbia River ecosystem and its primitive inhabitant, the sturgeon, at the 13th annual Sturgeon Festival, noon to 4 p.m., this Saturday and Sunday, at the Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way.

The two-day event is packed with entertaining and educational activities fit for all ages and families, hosted by the City of Vancouver in participation with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

At 1 p.m. Saturday, Vancouver Mayor Royce E. Pollard will present awards and recognition to young photographers from schools and colleges across Southwest Washington for their photos of the Columbia River Ecosystem. Entries for the Sturgeon Festival Student Photo Contest will be on display throughout the festival.

Other special activities and events during the free weekend celebration include the Wild on Wildlife bird presentation, puppet shows, Portland Audubon Birds of Prey, the Creature Feature Reptile Zoo and Chinook Tribal Lore. Games and hands-on crafts will be available for kids. Teens and adults will have an opportunity to learn about boating safety, preventing invasive aquatic species, and sturgeon anatomy with fish dissections. Staff from natural resources agencies and environmental organizations will be on hand to discuss environmental issues and opportunities.

The sturgeon, prevalent in the Columbia River, has not changed substantially since the species emerged in the Jurassic period more than 100 million years ago. Sturgeon are a long-lived species, often reaching five to six feet in length by the age of maturity. A few Columbia River sturgeon, measuring twice that length, have been verified to be more than 100 years old.

Bring the entire family, grandparents to kids! Food will be available for purchase on site.

Admission to the Water Center and all the fun, family friendly activities and events is free! Children must be accompanied by an adult. For additional information, please call 360-487-7111 or visit www.cityofvancouver.us/watercenter on the web.