Time to decorate salmon to be sold at Clear Creek Trail auction.

It’s that time of year again.

Time to dress your salmon to impress and hopefully be sold to benefit the Clear Creek Trail.

The 7th annual Clear Creek Trail Salmon Run is underway and Clear Creek Task Force Co-chair Tex Lewis said he hopes people will take the time to decorate an artboard salmon or two this year.

“I hope we get a good turnout,” Lewis said. “We seem to do pretty well and we’d like to do even more this year.”

Salmon sponsors purchase a small, medium or large-sized artboard fish and decorate both sides any way they choose using a variety of materials ranging from paint and markers to sequins and beads. The sponsors then name their creation and enter it in the Clear Creek Trail salmon auction to be held Saturday, Sept. 27.

“We’ve been doing this for a few years and there are a few people who do it real steady,” Lewis said.

Artboard salmon cost $5, $15 or $25, depending on the size, and can be purchased from noon-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday at Grape Expectations Wine Shop in Old Town Silverdale, from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12 at the Old Town Silverdale Art Walk and 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. today and Saturday, Sept. 20 at the Clear Creek Interpretive Center in Silverdale.

Entries must be returned to Grape Expectations by 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25 to be entered into the salmon auction.

Lewis said he’s seen all types of decorated salmon over the years, including one that was decorated to somewhat resemble him.

“There’s some that are really dazzling,” he said. “It really runs the range.”

The “Celebrate Clear Creek” event will be held from 1-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27 at the Clear Creek Interpretive Center. The Suquamish tribal dancers are back for this year’s festivities and attendees can purchase a grilled salmon dinner as well. Tickets for the dinner are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12.

The “Celebrate Clear Creek” festivities, including the artboard salmon auction and grilled salmon dinner, netted nearly $4,000 for the Clear Creek Task Force last year. Lewis said money raised through “Celebrate Clear Creek” goes toward Clear Creek Trail maintenance and ongoing trail projects.

“Our dream would be like $5,000 for the entire event,” Lewis said. “All the money goes back into the trail.”

Prizes will be awarded for cleverly decorated salmon during the “Celebrate Clear Creek” festivities. Last year’s categories included Best Camouflage, Most Colorful, Most Environmental Sensitive and the Best Nautical fish.

New to this year’s salmon auction is a “Catch of the Day” category. Salmon sponsors can create a salmon using other mediums such as photography, clay, porcelain or metals. Salmon entered into the “Catch of the Day” category cost $25.

Lewis said “Celebrate Clear Creek” is just that, a way for people to gather together and celebrate the beauty and importance of the Clear Creek Trail.

“’Celebrate Clear Creek’ really is two things. It is a fundraiser and a way to come together and celebrate the trail,” he said.

For more information about the “Celebrate Clear Creek” festivities, visit the Clear Creek Trail Web site at www.clearcreektrail.org or e-mail clearcreektrail@yahoo.com.