Despite looming clouds, the rainy weather held off for Issaquah Salmon Days until the final hour Sunday night.

Tens of thousands of Eastsiders flooded the streets of downtown Issaquah to check in on festival favorites, such as visiting the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery, and to discover what was new this year, such as waffle and fried chicken cupcakes.

While crowds packed the streets between food and craft vendors, no place was more crowded than the hatchery bridge, which over a hundred people gathered at any one moment to watch the salmon make their return home.

Bjorn North, a small boy, snuck beneath the chain link fence at the hatchery to get a closer look. Other kids stood gaping at the size of the returning fish, many mangled from a rough life at sea.

“They just love to watch the salmon,” said Torsten North.

Police estimate the festival draws about 150,000 people each year, making it the Eastside’s second largest event. Bellevue’s Art Fair is the largest.

Salmon Days kicked off Oct. 1 with a parade down Front Street and Gilman Boulevard, and finished when the rain came down Sunday night, perfect weather for the returning salmon.

Bjorn North sneaks behind the chain line to a closer look at the salmon at the Issaquah hatchery Oct. 1.

Brenda Jacobs sorts through drying fish prints made by children during the Issaquah Salmon Days Festival Oct. 1.

Children and adults crammed onto the Salmon Hatchery bridge during Salmon Days to see giant Coho salmon make their way into the entrance of the fish ladder. Many were surprised when the giant fish bounced against rubber tubes, which blocked their access from upstream.

Crowds gathered around the tanks that held salmon ready to spawn at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery on Salmon Days Oct. 1.

Katie Nack, above, and Megan Stuvland take a look at the salmon at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery, which were ready to spawn.

Families from the Little Gym, participate in the Issaquah Salmon Days Parade Oct. 1.

Issaquah High School’s cheer team performs during the Issaquah Salmon Days parade Oct. 1

Crowds lined the streets during the Issaquah Salmon Days parade Oct. 1. About 90 groups marched down Front Street and Gilman Boulevard.

Elizabeth Bigwood of Bellingham, buys a fried chicken and waffle cupcake from Confetti Cupcake’s booth at Issaquah Salmon Days.

Tamara Kakalejcikova paints a rubber fish at a craft station for kids during Salmon Days Oct. 1. All of the activities were free for kids during the weekend event.