The Steveston Salmon Festival is bringing back its in-person salmon bake event this weekend.
After four years, the giant fire pit, grill and more than 3,000 salmon lunches are returning on July 1 as one of the main highlights of the salmon festival, which is organized by the Steveston Community Society.
During the pandemic, the public was only allowed to pre-order and pick up salmon meals in a socially distanced way.
Alan Sakai, president of the Steveston Community Society, said the salmon bake is one of the many events the committee is excited to see happening live this year and represents the history of Steveston’s salmon industry.
“It’s important to have a connection to the salmon industry for us and the salmon bake is just one of those ways we do that,” said Sakai.
Like in previous years, Canfisco provides, prepares and helps cook the 6oz salmon strips that are paired with a potato salad, bun, condiments, chips and water or soda, provided by Save-On-Foods.
Steven Yip, manager at Canfisco, said the event brings not only members of the public but businesses, staff and volunteers together.
“It’s a way … for us to give back to the community and a worthy cause for the community centre,” said Yip.
“I believe we are also the only salmon bake across Canada and it’s rare to have an actual open fire pit salmon bake too.”
When asked how long it takes to prepare the salmon and the pit, Sakai told the Richmond News that the salmon is prepared two days before the event and the pit is cut and prepared by the City of Richmond within a day.
However, a minimum of three hours is needed to prepare the fire before the salmon hits the grill as the hickory wood and stones need time to heat up.
“The amount of work that goes into preparing everything is unimaginable and it’s a teamwork between everyone including the city and businesses,” said Sakai.
“Our theme is about community and this festival … takes everyone to pull it together.”
Sakai is encouraging anyone looking forward to the salmon bake to arrive early and expect line-ups as it is usually a sold-out event.
