SEQUIM — Sequim Rotary’s 46th annual Salmon Bake & BBQ on Sunday will offer more than food — but the food alone is a big draw.
It’s something special, organizers say.
Wild-caught salmon from the Yukon River in Alaska will be grilled on-site over an alder wood fire, and the pork will be prepared using a special Sequim recipe.
Live music will accompany the chow, and exhibits and raffle prizes will provide more highlights of the festivities from noon to 5 p.m. at the Sequim unit of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula at 400 W. Fir St.
Prices for the adult meals have been pushed back to the level they were seven years ago.
“Adult meal prices are the lowest since 2007, so our guests will have the choice of either a succulent wild Alaska salmon or a juicy pulled pork plate for just $12,” said Vicky Blakesley, the Rotarian in charge of this year’s event.
Adult meals will include baked beans, cole slaw, a roll, an ice-cream cup and a drink.
For the first time, a jumbo all-beef hot dog with an ice-cream cup and a drink will be available for children younger than 10 for $5.
Music all day
An entire day of entertainment is lined up.
Linda Hindes, one of KSQM 91.5 FM’s newest announcers, will serve as the mistress of ceremonies, announcing raffle winners, interviewing guests and introducing the musical acts.
Toe-tapping folk and bluegrass music will begin at noon with the Young Fiddlers.
The sounds of Hawaii by Naki’i (pronounced Nak-kee-eee) Hawaiian Music, the duo of Erma and Mike Kuenzli, will fill the air during the midafternoon.
The festivities will finish with the five-piece group Porto Alegre, which will present a mix of Brazilian and Latin Music, with an added measure of swing tunes.
Raffle tickets will be available at the salmon bake and barbecue.
Winning tickets will be drawn throughout the afternoon during those periods when the musical groups change.
Seating will be available both outside and inside.
Musical groups will perform outside, and their music and announcements from Hindes will be piped to the guests inside.
Also, guests are invited outside to watch the team grill the fresh wild-caught salmon over alder wood coals.
Raffle prizes
Prizes will range from gift baskets — such as a lavender assortment from the Sequim Lavender Growers Association — to gift certificates for local restaurants and services, including Ben’s Bikes, Brian’s Sporting Goods, the Clallam Co-op, Colors of Sequim and The Oak Table.
All tickets also will be included in a grand prize drawing at the end of the event for a scenic airplane flight over the Sequim-Dungeness Valley and the Strait of Juan de Fuca worth $250.
Winners need not be present to win.
Information booths
Several nonprofit exhibitors will have booths offering information about diverse groups: the North Olympic Salmon Coalition, Sequim Food Bank, Captain Joseph House, Welfare for Animals Guild, Sequim City Band — a volunteer concert band that presents free public concerts throughout the year — and Sequim Park Board.
The Sequim Guild for Seattle Children’s Hospital will sell pies again this year.
Sequim Sunrise Rotary, a sister club to the organizer of this event, will set up a ShelterBox that guests can tour.
These donated kits provide shelter for families who have lost their homes following a natural disaster.
American Legion Post 62 officials will attend this year to let people know about the programs they provide for service members.
Youth projects
All proceeds benefit Sequim children, local charities and Sequim Noon Rotary projects benefiting local youths such as teacher grants to help pay for materials used for class projects that otherwise would be purchased by the teacher, dictionaries for fourth-graders in Sequim schools and scholarships.
One of the recipients over the years has been the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula.
Youths from the Boys & Girls Clubs will assist with the salmon bake and barbecue, while volunteers from the high school football team will assist with the construction and deconstruction of the salmon grill pit and preparation of the salmon.
Football boosters also will have an exhibitor booth.
“Vicky and her helpers have done a wonderful job planning an afternoon of fun with good food, live music, exciting raffles and interesting exhibits,” said Christine Paulsen, Sequim Noon Rotary president.
Said Blakesley: “The event is going to be lots of fun. Come, bring your family and friends, and enjoy yourselves.”
Tickets are available from Noon Rotary Club members, at ticket booths, online at www.sequimsalmonbake.com or at the door.
Visit www.sequimrotary.org for more information.
