It’s time for Issaquah’s most exciting weekend of the year. No, it’s not Christmas, it’s Salmon Days.

Issaquah Salmon Days, sponsored by the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce, celebrates the return of the city’s favorite fish to the Issaquah Creek in their annual migration.

The Issaquah Salmon Days festival is “ohfishally” one of the coolest fall festivals in Washington. Not only does the event feature a carnival complete with a ferris wheel, but attendees can also enjoy live music, watch a parade and even compete in the Run with the Fishes 5k.

The Grande Parade, starring the movers and shakers of Issaquah, begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7 at Front Street and Dogwood Street, runs north along Front Street and turns northwest on Gilman Boulevard all the way to 12th Avenue.

At the Field of Fun, run in the human hamster balls or watch the Dock Dogs animal show. Make sure to check out the unique vendors selling foods, gifts and homemade arts and crafts to take some of the fun home with you.

If you’re hungry, there’s no better option than the Foods of the World, located in the parking lot by the Issaquah Trolley Museum and City Hall.

Over 40 vendors will serve snacks from around the globe, including cuisine from Greece, Italy, Germany, the Caribbean, China, Thailand, Ireland, Kenya, Hawaii, Mexico and more.

If you’re in the mood for something a little more Pacific Northwest, the Issaquah Kiwanis will host their Wild Salmon Barbecue at Gibson Park on Newport Way.

Burn off some of the delicious Foods of the World and salmon with the Run with the Fishes 5k on Sunday morning, Oct. 8. The 5k Fun Run/Walk starts at 8:50 a.m. and the Kids’ Dash 1k starts at 10 a.m. The route starts at Heritage Bank, located at the corner of Mall Street and 12th Avenue.

The Salmon Days carnival, located in the former Staples (and soon-to-be La-Z-Boy) parking lot, features rides for all ages. The fun runs from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

With so much to see and do, the Salmon Days festival really makes a splash in the area. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Oct. 7 and 8.. For more information, visit https://www.salmondays.org.