Visitors to the Stanislaus River Salmon Festival on Saturday, Nov. 14 can experience the river from the water and see salmon making their way toward the spawning gravels through free guided raft trips offered by conservation organizations Restoring the Stanislaus River and Friends of the River.

The approximately 20- to 30-minute float is open to all ages, and children are especially welcome. Volunteer guides will provide boats, life jackets and their time, while interpreters from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will help participants learn about salmon, river habitat and restoration.

“There is no better way to experience a river than from a boat floating downstream,” said Roy Tennant of Restoring the Stanislaus River. “And there is no more enjoyable way to learn about and value wild salmon than to raft with a USFWS interpreter while they swim up rapids and spawn after their long journey from the ocean.”

The experience offers festivalgoers a close-up look at the Stanislaus and its salmon at an important moment in their life cycle. A shuttle will transport participants from the takeout back to the festival, provided by the Turlock Irrigation District.

The Stanislaus River Salmon Festival is free and open to the public, running from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Knights Ferry on Nov. 14. Along with the raft trips, the festival will feature organizations, vendors and opportunities to learn about the river and salmon restoration.

Restoring the Stanislaus River and Friends of the River invite families and river lovers to come celebrate the Stanislaus, learn about its wild salmon and experience the river firsthand.