The Port Alberni Salmon Festival might not happen in Port Alberni, British Columbia, during the 2026 Labour Day weekend. Organizers announced that they are facing a critical shortage of volunteers and board members, which could lead to the cancellation of all public festivities, including the signature Ultimate Derby.
The Port Alberni Salmon Festival Society needs to find new leadership and secure $50,000 in pledges by early April to keep the event running. Higher costs for insurance, security, and equipment—which have risen by 25%—have made it harder to host the Kiwanis salmon barbecue, vendor market, and live music performances.
For more than 50 years, the festival has worked with groups like the Alberni Valley Tyee Club to celebrate the “Salmon Capital of the World.” The City of Port Alberni provides the waterfront venue at Tyee Landing, but the festival society says they currently do not have enough people to manage the complex logistics and safety requirements.
Losing the event would impact local hotels, campgrounds, and artisans who rely on the tourism influx every September. Residents are being encouraged to attend an upcoming Emergency General Meeting (EGM) to join the board or volunteer to ensure the community does not lose this family-friendly tradition.
