There’s something fishy about Issaquah – and are we ever happy.

Salmon Days are back.

An estimated 180,000 visitors are expected to fill downtown Saturday and Sunday, visiting scores of booths, enjoying entertainment of five stages, taking in the Grande Parade (heads up – it begins at 10 a.m. Saturday) and, of course, seeing the salmon at the Hatchery.

The wall-to-wall activity is a far cry from how the festival started 42 years ago as a smallish event. For a look back, check out page 2 for a collection of photos from the Issaquah History Museums.

One of the best things about Salmon Days is that even through it’s grown substantially from its beginnings, it remains a community event at heart where there is an “Ohfishal” committee and companies lining up to be “sponsors.”

Oh, and let’s not forget the food. The Kiwanis will be barbecuing salmon near the Hatchery beginning at 11:30 a.m. each day while the Issaquah Valley Kiwanis will be offering BBQ beef and pulled pork sandwiches on Front Street near Mills Music. Enjoy either – or both – and know you’re also helping fund a variety of projects and programs in the community.