The South Prairie Creek Salmon Homecoming Celebration will be held Sept. 21. The family-friendly day will feature guided walking tours to see salmon in the creek, activities for kids, a Native American storyteller, live music, a display of student artwork about salmon, and refreshments.

The free event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 13518 Pioneer Way E (Hwy 162) – about one mile west of the town of South Prairie. The event will be held on the grounds of an old dairy.

“The return of the salmon is important to the culture, heritage and history of this region,” said Dan Wrye, Pierce County Public Works and Utilities water quality manager. “South Prairie Creek is one of the most important salmon-bearing creeks in the Puyallup River Watershed. That this creek supports so many species of salmon shows the commitment of Pierce County and its partners to improve salmon habitat and water quality.”

Fish biologists will lead walking tours at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. and point out the salmon in South Prairie Creek. Visitors could see many species of fish up close as they head to their spawning grounds.

The Salmon Homecoming Celebration is sponsored by Pierce County Lead Entity, Pierce County Public Works and Utilities, Puyallup River Watershed Council, Port of Tacoma, Pierce Conservation District, Citizens for a Healthy Bay, the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, and the South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group.

For more information, contact Teresa Lewis, Puyallup River Watershed Council coordinator, at (253) 798-2480 or tlewis1@co.pierce.wa.us.