Barbara Latkowski
Caledonia Courier
Music and the smell of salmon filled the air at the Historic Park in Fort St. James on Sept. 18.
The annual event, celebrated its 6th year with a variety of events throughout the day.
Fort St. James District Councillor, Dave Birdi is a regular at the event and helps prepare his own Salmon Cook-off Team, the District of Fort St. James, for taste testing.
“This is always a popular event,” Birdi said. “There are people here from all over including Canada and the U.S.”
Four Teams participated in the Salmon Cook-off: the Metis Nation of B.C., Friends of the Historic Park, Parks Canada Management and the District of Fort St. James.
Those in attendance could not wait to taste the many different recipes the salmon dishes had to offer.
Bob Grill, manager of the Historic Park in Fort St. James, originally had the idea of a salmon cook-off in 2010 and every year since then, it continues to be a huge success.
“Well, I was watching Iron Chef one night and thought hey, why not?” Grill said.
Along with salmon tasting, the day included a beaver skinning demonstration, a hunter challenge in the hunting skills field which was complete air rifles, atlatis and slingshots.
There was jigging, storytelling and a puppet show from Beverly Lambert, singing performances from Sam Holden, Frances Honeywell and Louis Gauthier.
There was also a performance by the Young Fiddlers from Prince George, the ever popular chicken races, a tomahawk challenge and yes finally, the Salmon Cook-off judging.
First place went to the Metis Nation of B.C. from Smithers.
Kevin Gedling from Parks Canada was thrilled to take part in the day’s festivities.
“It is days like this that bring attention to communities like Fort St. James,” Gedling said.
“And that’s great because Fort St. James has so much to offer.”
