The World’s Largest Salmon Barbecue in Fort Bragg’s Noyo Harbor on Saturday July 4 is more than just a day of free live music, a plate of salmon and trimmings and great microbrews and local wines.
The 44th annual event, which benefits the Salmon Restoration Association, funds key educational efforts and watershed work in the campaign to save flagging king and silver salmon populations. It also funds key educational programs, such as the SONAR program at Mendocino High School.
A $30 ticket buys a giant plate of salmon, salad, corn on the cob and garlic bread, along with live music and dancing. There is award-winning microbrew from North Coast Brewing, fair trade coffee from Thanksgiving Coffee and Barefoot wines. Cowlicks ice cream is served. The salmon is prepared with a special marinade. This year, the salmon served was all caught out of Noyo Harbor.
Fireworks happen over the Noyo River and ocean after the barbecue, as soon as it is dark. There are many other Mendocino Coast events to enjoy on the 4th of July weekend, including the world-famous and often wacky Mendocino Village parade at noon. The World’s Largest Salmon Barbecue provides shuttle service from the Mendocino College parking lot to South Noyo Harbor from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in South Noyo Harbor.
Hundreds of volunteers make the barbecue possible each year with dozens provided by each service club, including the Fort Bragg Rotary Club, the Fort Bragg Soroptimist Club and the Fort Bragg Knights of Columbus. Business like Harvest Market, Fort Bragg Feed and Pet, North Coast Brewing, Thanksgiving Coffee and many others contribute.
The bulk of the 3000 plus people who attend the World’s Largest Salmon Barbecue each year make a special trip to do so, from the Anderson Valley, Ukiah, Santa Rosa and Sacramento. The temperature may be 30 degrees cooler or more in Fort Bragg - and still warm enough and sunny. The event usually raises between $30,000 and $50,000 each year. The event was started in 1971 by commercial fishermen, hoping to find ways to restore salmon populations and has been a fixture in Fort Bragg ever since.
The SRA is interested in grant applications for any project that can help with salmon restoration, including educational, watershed and other local efforts. Contact SRA president Joe Janisch, janischbythesea@comcast.net. Grant proposals will be evaluated following the barbecue.
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