Salmon Days 2013 draws big crowds

Published 5:36 pm Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Excellent weather brought out throngs of people

Hundreds of volunteers once again made Salmon Days a swimming success. Mayor Ava Frisinger said an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 revelers came to enjoy the vendors, food and of course the stars of the show, the salmon.

There was much to see and do. People were drawn in from several of the outlying areas, and the vendors were enjoying solid sales.

“Little Darlings,” owned by Darlene Hardenbrook, was selling her polymer-clay figurines and jewelry for the 33rd year in a row at Salmon Days.

“Mom has a good time and has returning customers every year,” her daughter said while Hardenbrook was on a break.

Valerie Yanni, with her daughter, Leila, lives in Bellevue, but they come to Salmon Days every year since her daughter is in Girl Scouts and participates in the parade. With them was their 5-month-old puppy, Penny, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel that was shaking off the heat with a cool drink of water from a portable water bowl.

Linda Lee with Whidbey Woolies, makes hats from Alpaca fur. She has been a vendor at Salmon Days before, but it was raining. Since her hats are waterproof, she said she sold out that last time, but even with sunshine she said sales were good.

There were a couple of different artists sketching live, including Steve Hartley of Mugshot Caricatures, from Lake Stevens, who was enjoying his 27th year as a part of the festival.

Then there were the newer vendors.

Of the several pottery/sculpture artists represented, Charan Sachar lived in India most of his life where his mother ran a boutique. He moved to Washington to work for Intel, which he did for 11 years, but in January, 2011, he left to work on his art. All of his sculptures were inspired by the fabrics and designs that were part of his life in India. This was his second year at Salmon Days.

“It’s been a good show,” Sachar said.