Columbia sturgeon focus of free family festival

VANCOUVER, Wash.-The Columbia River ecosystem and its primitive inhabitant, the sturgeon, will be the focus of a free, two-day festival here May 31 and June 1.

The seventh annual Sturgeon Festival is scheduled to run from noon to 4 p.m., both days, at the Water Resources Education Center, 4600 S.E. Columbia Way in Vancouver.

Sponsored by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the City of Vancouver, the event features information and entertainment for the whole family. Youngsters can enjoy environmental games and relays, interactive learning stations, sturgeon pinatas and a visit by Eartha the Clown, while adults peruse displays of handcrafted kayaks, historic vessel replicas, modern research vessels and aquatic life of the Columbia River. Sturgeon dissections, fly-tying demonstrations and live raptor and reptile displays are also scheduled.

Those attending the event are encouraged to take advantage of a special recycling opportunity by bringing along their used batteries (nickel-cadmium, alkaline, lithium and mercury) and worn athletic shoes (any brand). The shoes will be recycled into track and playground surfacing material.

For more information on the festival contact Olaf Langness with WDFW at (360) 906-6741 or Bev Walker with the City of Vancouver at (360) 696-8478.