Return to the River Salmon Festival
Join us Saturday, May 16, 2026 from 11am – 3pm by the WWCC ballfields along Tausick Way!
This FREE family-friendly community event celebrates the return of salmon to the Walla Walla Basin each year. The annual event is coordinated jointly by the Water & Environmental Center and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in order to provide a glimpse into our region’s rich cultural and natural resource driven history. Mark your calendars!
Here’s an example of what awaits you at this event in this highlight video from the 2019 Return to the River Celebration: video.
2025 Participating Organizations, Institutions, and Agencies included:
- Benton County Conservation District
- City of Walla Walla – Stormwater
- Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
- Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation – Department of Natural Resources
- Kooskooskie Commons
- Snake River Salmon Recovery Board
- Sustainable Living Center & Walla Walla Valley Farm to School
- Tamástslikt Cultural Institute
- Tri-State Steelheaders
- US Army Corps of Engineers – Mill Creek Project Office
- USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service
- US Forest Service – Umatilla National Forest
- Walla Walla Basin Watershed Council
- Walla Walla Center for Children and Families
- Walla Walla County Conservation District
- Walla Walla Community College – Welcome Center
- Walla Walla YMCA
- Walla Walla Emergency Medical Services
- Walla Walla Office of Emergency Management
- Wallowa Resources
- WA Department of Ecology – Walla Walla Water 2050
- WA Department of Ecology – Nuclear Waster Program
- WA Department of Fish & Wildlife
- WA Department of Natural Resources
- Washington Water Trust
- Water & Environmental Center
- Whitman College – Computer Sciences Immersive Stories Lab
- Whitman Mission National Historic Site
This event is FREE and also include a salmon release into Mill Creek provided by Tri-State Steelheaders and the Salmon in Schools Program. Salmon releases times are 12pm and 1:30pm.
The Wild Thyme food truck will be on site to purchase food. Al a carte menu with kid-friendly options.
For more information, contact Drew Trogstad-Isaacson.