MANCHESTER — Sure, it’s early, but down Manchester way, summer isn’t summer unless extended family members make plans well in advance to visit the homestead for the annual salmon bake next to the library.
Never ones to disappoint, the Friends of the Manchester Library once again is sponsoring its annual Salmon Bake and Book Sale to benefit the community library’s building fund.
The event is set for 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Father’s Day, June 17.
As in past years, the event will be in the parking lot of the Manchester Library, at 8067 E. Main Street in Manchester. Cash or credit cards will be accepted. Adult tickets for the dinner are $15, $10 for children 6-11, and $5 for children 5 and under.
The menu this year will include open-pit barbequed wild salmon, hearty baked beans, coleslaw, garlic bread, a beverage of choice, and a cookie, said salmon bake chair Ray Pardo.
He said the organization hopes to serve more than 750 dinners at this year’s event.
The Friends of the Manchester Library, or FOML, owns and operates the Manchester Library building through a fund that is generated by fundraising and donations, said Ralph Nelson, publicity chair for the organization.
They partner with Kitsap Regional Library, which provides staffing, information systems and books. The Port of Manchester leases the land the building sits on to FOML for $1 a year and the Long Lake Garden Club maintains the property landscaping.
FOML funds the building’s maintenance, makes capital improvements and pays the utilities and insurance. This year, Nelson said the FOML’s budget is approximately $30,000.
The salmon bake and book sale generates about one-third of that budget.
“The Friends realize that the library is the heart of the Manchester community,” Nelson said.
“We strive to provide a comfortable building with beautiful grounds for this important part of our village.”
Pardo said the salmon bake and book sale is truly a community event.
“Over 50 neighbors volunteer to make this event a success,” he said.
“In addition to generous donations from many of our local businesses, we have special guest food servers that include local politicians, elected state officials and KRL staff.
“And every year, the Bow family gathers in Manchester to build the alder and fir fire and bake the salmon.”
The book sale, which is conducted concurrently with the salmon bake, includes a selection of vintage and recent reading materials fitting the children’s fiction, nonfiction, special interest and video genres.
For more information about the Father’s Day event, contact Pardo at 360-871-3774 or at raypardo@gmail.com.
