The people of Issaquah always knew it – but now it’s official.

The Issaquah Salmon Days Festival is one of the best in the world.

Salmon Days staff this week attended the International Festivals and Events Association award ceremony in Indianapolis, IN, judging festivals and events from all over the world on how they presented themselves to the community, to sponsors, and to potential visitors.

Competing against thousands of festivals from all over the world, including Seattle’s Bumbershoot, the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, the Singapore Garden Festival, and the Ottawa Bluesfest, Salmon Days was awarded the Grande Pinnacle Award for Best Overall Festival Presentation.

The festival also received seven other awards, including Gold Awards for Best Poster, Best Pin or Button, and Best Environmental Program, and Silver Awards for Best Single Display Ad, Best Hat, and Best Miscellaneous Clothing.

In her great excitement, Salmon Days Sponsorship and Promotions Manager Pauline Middlehurst recognized the enormous contribution of Issaquah’s Robin Dale Spicer.

Spicer designed all of the award winning pieces.

The awards will be a tremendous boost for the festival, which hits the streets of Issaquah next week, Oct. 3 and 4.

See the special Salmon Days Guide in this week’s Reporter, or go online at The Reporter Web site, for more.