Clear Creek Trail event raises thousands of dollars for trail maintenance.

Dr. Seuss’ book “One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish” had nothing on the Clear Creek Trail salmon auction last weekend.

There were flowered fish, quilted fish, even a Barack Obama fish at the seventh annual event, Sept. 27.

The artboard salmon auction was the highlight of the “Celebrate Clear Creek” event. Clear Creek Trail supporters gathered together at the Clear Creek Interpretive Center in Silverdale to support and raise money for the popular trail.

“It was nice. A lot of our friends were there, so that was nice,” said Clear Creek Task Force Co-chair Tex Lewis.

People bought various sizes of artboard salmon in the weeks leading up to the auction and decorated them in many different ways. The colorful and creative fish were auctioned off at “Celebrate Clear Creek.”

“We auctioned off a lot of fish,” Lewis said.

Clear Creek Task Force member Mary Earl said 32 fish, mostly the medium and large sizes, were sold to be decorated, but only 21 were returned in time for the auction.

“Typically we sell somewhere in the 45 range (or) mid-40s, so our sales were down this year for that,” Earl said. “Here’s the beautiful part of that, almost all of them are the $15 or $25 ones.”

Aside from the salmon auction, “Celebrate Clear Creek” attendees enjoyed a grilled salmon meal and some took advantage of the beautiful weather and walked the trail.

The Suquamish tribal dancers were scheduled to make an appearance, but they did not attend “Celebrate Clear Creek” this year.

“But we still had a real good time,” Lewis said.

Earl said she estimates that “Celebrate Clear Creek” raised about $2,000, which will go toward Clear Creek Trail maintenance and ongoing trail projects.

Earl said the combination of nice weather and a good turnout made this year’s “Celebrate Clear Creek” event one to remember.

“The weather was just gorgeous. We had such a lovely time,” she said. “It was perfect.”

Prizes were awarded for cleverly decorated salmon during the “Celebrate Clear Creek” festivities and Earl said photos of the winning fish and artists’ names can be found on the Clear Creek Trail Web site at www.clearcreektrail.org.

Salmon auction winners can pick up their prizes from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday at Grape Expectations Wine Shop in Old Town Silverdale as well as today, Oct. 4 and Oct. 18 at the Clear Creek Interpretive Center.