The first-ever Salmon Film Festival, co-sponsored by the Salmon Restoration Association, the City of Ft. Bragg and North Coast Brewing Company, takes place July 1st and 2nd in Ft. Bragg Town Hall.

The Salmon Film Festival is held in conjunction with the 40th Annual World’s Largest Salmon Barbeque in the Noyo Harbor, a major fundraising event held by the Salmon Restoration Association to support local salmon education and conservation programs.

The first day of the festival is timed to coincide with the City of Ft. Bragg's monthly "First Friday" downtown art walk, and runs from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm. The second day of the festival, scheduled to run from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm, occurs simultaneously with the Salmon Barbeque, and is timed to allow barbeque attendees plenty of time to enjoy their salmon meal and still catch plenty of films.

The Salmon Film Festival will show films focusing on salmon culture, ecology, and conservation. Several short and feature-length films will show community-based restoration projects and dam removals, Native American connections to salmon, the dangers of farmed salmon, and beautiful footage of salmon ecology throughout the Pacific Northwest.Filmmakers, educators, scientists and local experts will accompany the films and lead the audience in question and answer sessions.Film updates, programs, links to featured films and information are available on the festival website: http://salmonfilmfestival.wordpress.com/

Fort Bragg’s annual celebration of the glorious migratory salmon turns 40 this year, attracting thousands of visitors.

The World’s Largest Salmon Barbecue in Fort Bragg’s Noyo Harbor on Saturday July 2 is more than just a day of live music, delicious marinated barbecued salmon and great microbrews and local wines.

The 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.

A ticket for $25 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 wine from many local vintners.  Cowlicks ice cream is served.

There are many other Mendocino Coast events to enjoy on the 4th of July weekend, including Friday night fireworks, Saturday’s world-famous and often wacky Mendocino Village parade at noon., The World’s Largest Salmon Barbecue provides shuttle service from College of the Redwoods parking lot to South Noyo Harbor from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in South Noyo Harbor. Fort Bragg's Lions, Rotary, Knights of Columbus, and Soroptimist  clubs all provide teams of volunteers.  Harvest Market, Fort Bragg Feed and Pet, North Coast Brewing, Thanksgiving Coffee and many others make important annual contributions.

The World’s Largest Salmon Barbecue was started in 1973 by commercial fishermen hoping to find ways to restore salmon populations.  It has been a fixture in Fort Bragg ever since. Advance tickets, priced at $20, are available at Harvest Market in the Boatyard Center in Fort Bragg.

The Salmon Restoration Association’s annual fundraiser already funds many key educational efforts and watershed work in the campaign to save flagging king and silver salmon populations.  Proceeds from the barbecue events over the past three years have gone primarily to projects on the Big, Noyo and Eel River watersheds.  The SRA also funds an educational/work program where Fort Bragg Middle School students from the Math, Engineering and Science Achievement Class restore Otis Johnson Wilderness Park, whose watershed includes two wild creeks.  That program is co-sponsored by Jughandle Creek Nature Center and the City of Fort Bragg.

Salmon is purchased locally through Caito Fisheries, a business being run  in South Noyo Harbor by the great grandchildren of the founders. Caito locates fish at the lowest price and always donates time, equipment and freezer space to the World’s Largest Salmon Barbecue. Fish purchased by Caito have traditionally come from the state of Washington, as even in the heyday of salmon fishing the California salmon Harvest was just getting started in early July, hitting its peak at the end of summer and in early fall.  Washington’s fish return earlier.

With high hopes for salmon fishing this year, the SRA expects to get some donated and perhaps some confiscated fish. Anyone wishing to donate fish can contact Mike Williamson at Redwood Liquors, 112 S Main Street at 707-964-9334

Contact SRA at janischbythesea@comcast.net or www.salmonrestoration.com.

To volunteer or for more information call SRA president Joe Janisch   at 707-962-0548