SEQUIM — The Rotary Club of Sequim’s annual Salmon Bake is one of those lasting traditions that outgrew its long-standing venue, moving last year from the Sequim Prairie Grange at Macleay Hall to larger baking grounds at Carrie Blake Park.
The 42nd annual Rotary Club of Sequim Salmon Bake will be fat Carrie Blake Park at North Blake Ave., off East Washington Street in Sequim from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets — $15, with children younger than 10 free — are on sale now.
Alder-smoked salmon
The event that raises thousands of dollars for youth programs and student scholarships heads into its 42nd year with about 1,200 pounds of Alaska wild salmon ordered in advance.
That fish will land fresh to be slow-cooked in alder-wood smoke in native fashion — an open 50-foot-long pit of vermilion coals.
The fish is filleted and vertically mounted on cedar stakes lining the smoky fire pit.
“There’s not a whole lot of things in Sequim that have gone on longer,” said John Lovett Jr., Salmon Bake chairman for Rotary, which has about 80 Rotarians, their spouses and other volunteers involved.
Lovett said he attended past salmon bakes, and that is what inspired the retired computer marketer to join Rotary.
“We cook for 1,100,” Lovett said, adding that volunteers prepare and fire up the pit after 5 a.m.
“It seems like a lot of work, but once you get there, everyone is working together, and it’s fun.”
The major Rotary fundraiser grosses about $10,000 a year on average.
Lovett said it is hoped that this Sunday’s event will gross $11,000.
Vendors, artisans
New this year: Several local vendors and artisans are renting space from Rotary to sell their goods and wares.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula, Sequim youth activities, Scouting, local charities, scholarships for graduating seniors and Rotary service projects.
“We decided as a club last year the Carrie Blake Park was a better venue,” said Sequim Rotarian Rochelle McHugh.
Indeed, the larger venue SEmD closer and more accessible to the most populated parts of Sequim SEmD has drawn a bigger crowd, with room to serve 300 to 400 more.
“We started planning about a year out in October of last year,” he said, explaining that the club calls for bids on salmon locally and in Seattle to secure the best deal on a quantity.
Many local merchants chip in raffle items, including gift certificates and merchandise valued at between $50 and $100, and Blake Sand & Gravel donates the sand for the fire pit.
Denny Secord and the Haywire Band will perform from noon to 4 p.m.
The salmon dinner includes cole slaw, baked beans, rolls, a drink and ice cream for dessert.
For those fed up with salmon, barbecued pulled pork from Jeremiah’s will be served.
Shuttle services from parking lots south of Carrie Blake Park at the Trinity United Methodist Church next door will be available for those who prefer not to walk the block-long distance.
Selected vendor kiosks, including local hand-poured soy candles and hand-thrown pottery and others complementing the event will be on site.
A Rotary ShelterBox, similar to those sent to disaster areas around the world, will be on display, and information booths of interest to the public will be available to view.
Tickets are on sale now and can be found at QFC and Safeway supermarkets, Walmart, the Sequim Open Aire Market and at Rotarians’ places of businesses throughout Sequim.
They can also be purchased online at www.rotarysalmonbake.com — or on the day of the event at the door.
For additional information, phone McHugh at 360-460-1421.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
