Adams River sockeye salmon run near Kamloops draws crowds

Millions of sockeye salmon are returning to the Adams River nearKamloopsin one of themost spectacular displays of natural beauty in the world.

• Where to watch the Fraser River sockeye salmon return

The salmon return to spawn every year, but every four years duringthe dominant run in the four-year cycle, millions of sockeye turn the water crimson with spawning fish drawing more than 250,000 people.

• WATCH: Television news story of Adams River event

Adams River sockeye salmon

10 years ago

Duration 2:26

Millions of sockeye salmon returning to Adams River a spectacular display

It's a chance for the Adams River Salmon Society to educate the public with casualstream-side lectures. Organizers say the run is becoming much more of an international draw bringing in tour groups from around the world.

Its poetic. Its that ultimate sacrifice, " said Adams River Salmon Society coordinator JeremyHeighton.

"We lose our connection to nature, living in highrises, big cities, we lose that connection to nature and theres a lot of raw power here and I think when people leave here theyre sort of humbled."

The 2014 Salute to the Sockeye festival began Friday at Roderick Haig Brown Provincial Park north east of Kamloops.The festival runs until Oct 26.