The first warm day in June helped attract a big crowd at the River Discovery BBQ on June 18. The atmosphere at Town Square Park felt like a festival, all there were happy to enjoy the good weather, good music and good food.

Many local volunteers and businesses contributed to make the event a success. 195 pulled pork dinners were served and the silent auction was a big hit.

Bertram’s Brewery donated Mount Borah Brown Ale and Arctic Ice ensured it was served ice cold. Other local businesses including Salmon Therapeutic Massage, Annah Dahle Massage, Abundant Health Chiropractic, Dana Merrill Designs and the Purple Easel donated to the silent auction. Salmon Quick Stop advertised the BBQ on their marquee and Allegra Printing in Hamilton donated posters.

Salmon boasts a large pool of talented musicians and an impressive list donated their time and talents to entertain the crowd.

Local singer and songwriter Dave Self played a set of original folk music that kicked off the jam session.

Arlene Wolfe, Gary Moore, Keith Bielby, Harry Robinson and Brooks Montgomery make up Salmon Valley String Band, a group of local musicians dedicated to acoustic music influenced by bluegrass, old-time fiddle and country, folk, rock and roll and Americana. They kept foots tapping with an eclectic mix of vocals, guitar, mandolin, fiddle and banjo.

Another local group, Eddy Up, plays ‘gassed up’ folk with river themes. Karen Sholes, Betsy Nottestad, Charlie Rummler, Janice Torrey, Wayne Talmadge and Karen Talmadge performed a set of beautiful harmonies accompanied by percussion, bass and guitar.