WHITMAN COUNTY – The Port of Whitman County invites the community to attend its seventh annual Snake River Family Festival on Saturday, June 8, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Boyer Park & Marina, 1753 Granite Road, Colfax, WA 99111.

The event features a free barbecue lunch and ice cream while supplies last, live music by Americana band The Wasteland Kings, river-related exhibits, a free shuttle to Lower Granite Dam for facility tours and entertainment for all ages. Admission, parking and all activities are free and open to the public. The Port of Whitman County sponsors the festival every year to highlight the Columbia-Snake River System (also known as Marine Highway M-84) and its benefits to the Palouse region and broader Pacific Northwest. 

“The mission of the Snake River Family Festival is to showcase the many benefits of the Columbia-Snake River System. From providing clean energy and low-carbon transportation to supplying irrigation and recreational opportunities, this federal power system is essential not only to people and businesses in Whitman County, but also to Washington State and the nation at large,” Executive Director Kara Riebold said. “The Port of Whitman County will be joined by other ports, federal and state government agencies, private shippers and river users in telling the story of our river system at the Port’s seventh annual Snake River Family Festival.”  

Exhibitors will include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bonneville Power Administration, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Port of Whitman County, Port of Lewiston, Whitman County Public Health – Water Safety, Whitman County Sheriff’s Office, Tidewater Transportation & Terminals, Shaver Transportation Company and the McGregor Company. 

Festivalgoers can enter a raffle by visiting each exhibitor booth and receiving stamps on their event “passport.” Passports are available from Port staff at the festival welcome tent. The grand prize is a half-day guided Hells Canyon jet boat tour for two from Snake River Adventures. Raffle winners will be announced at the band stage at 2:30 p.m.

In addition, attendees can sign up at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers booth to take a free tour of Lower Granite Dam during the festival. Participants can see the powerhouse and navigation lock up close, experience migrating fish ascending the fish ladder and learn more about hydropower, river navigation and the Army Corps’ mission of environmental stewardship. Tours will be offered at noon and 2 p.m. Those who wish to attend a tour must wear closed-toe shoes, provide a valid official photo I.D. and meet the other posted tour requirements.

Other activities will include an interactive “wheat box” – Whitman County’s spin on the traditional sandbox – courtesy of Almota Elevator Company and free face painting, featuring Snake River-inspired designs.

For more information on the Snake River Family Festival, please visit the event Facebook page and website.

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About the Port of Whitman County

The Port of Whitman County is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all citizens of Whitman County through industrial real estate development, preservation of multi-modal transportation, facilitation of economic development and provision of on-water recreational opportunities.