Wildlife puts on a show at Taylor Creek

STATELINE - People scrambled for cameras or a spot to watch a young black bear wade into Taylor Creek in search of a Kokanee salmon lunch on Wednesday afternoon.

But the salmon? They just kept their distance.

The black bear that showed up at Taylor Creek is one of several spotted there in the weeks leading up to this weekend's celebration of the salmon's annual spawning ritual, said Jean Norman, assistant director of the U.S. Forest Service's Taylor Creek Visitor Center.

While people would be best off if they kept their distance from any black bears who attend the 20th annual Kokanee Salmon Festival, an early salmon run means there will be plenty of wildlife to get close to this weekend, Norman said.

"It's a free family-fun event, and there's something for the kids and adults alike," Norman said. "We have plenty of fish and interaction with wildlife as well."

Kokanee salmon started entering Taylor Creek around Sept. 14, a week or two ahead of normal, Norman said. Initial numbers of salmon are looking good and should increase though mid-October, Norman added.

New to this year's festival is a tattoo station where children can get a temporary tattoo of swimming salmon around a wrist, arm or ankle, and a wildlife program featuring injured animals and called "Wild Things," that will be held in the Lake of the Sky Amphitheater at 2 p.m. today.

Each family that attends the festival will also receive a free gift from festival organizers in celebration of the 20-year milestone, Norman said.

Also this weekend:

• The Tahoe Mountain Milers and Sagebrush Stompers Running Clubs will present the Kokanee Trail Runs on Sunday. The half marathon will start at 9 a.m. The children's half-mile "Tadpole Trot" will start at 9:15 a.m.

After the kids are finished, adults and young runners are invited to compete in the 5K and 10K trail runs starting at 10 a.m. All runs will start at the Taylor Creek Snowpark parking lot.

Race day registration will begin at 8 a.m. Registration and early packet pickup will be available at the Camp Richardson Oktoberfest today from noon to 4 p.m.

For more information about the Kokanee Trail Runs, call 530-577-0700 or

e-mail kokaneetrailruns

@yahoo.com.

Volunteers are needed during the day of the race to help out with registration, timing, parking, and to help staff aid stations. To register or volunteer, call Renee Gorevin at 530-577-0700.

• 14th Annual Camp Richardson Oktoberfest. German food and desserts, craft booths, live music, pumpkin patch, children's games, hay rides, and a beer and wine garden.

Camp Richardson is located on Highway 89, approximately two miles west of South Lake Tahoe. Call 530-542-6550.