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Salmon BBQ Event 2022
Salmon BBQ 2022
It may seem like a contradiction in terms… Eating salmon to support Salmon Restoration, but the Salmon Trollers Association has been doing great work with this event for years. I’ve had the good fortune of participating in several different ways to support this event since I moved up here more than 20 years ago, but this year I think was the most fun, and I’ll tell you why.
Generous people, voting with their dollars to support a cause that has delicious implications.
This event is one of the largest events in Fort Bragg every year, often with a total of attendance of 3000 guests or more. Most of the folks who attend are tourists and most of the locals who attend are actually working on the periphery to make sure all these guests have a memorable experience. From the ticket takers, to the corn shuckers, to the salad spinners, to the garlic bread team with their bread mops soaked with that delicious stinking rose butter, and finally to the dignitaries wearing their best bright yellow rain gear, grilling up salmon to the delight of the masses.
(Image: Paul Katzeff on left, Joe Seta on Right)
So at the end of that buffet line you find musical entertainment, the ice cream from our local legendary Cowlicks ice cream parlor, fine craft beer from North Coast Brewing Company (also a certified B Corp.) and Thanksgiving Coffee. We had cold brew, three different hot brews and the ability for the first time to sell bags of coffee.
(Image: Crowed at the Worlds Largest Salmon BBQ, Fort bragg, CA)
The morning starts with coffee for the volunteers, who are all extremely appreciative. Then, at about 11 AM… The line forms. That line doesn’t stop until 6 PM. For the next seven hours, Paul and I look like a pair of octopus pals, each with eight arms going in every direction, telling stories while serving and explaining the difference between light roasts, dark roasts and cold brew. We live for that kind of connection to our audience.
Luckily, in the early afternoon, Jonah and Joan Katzeff arrived to give us a break, and allow us to feast like all the other salmon supporters. Wading out into the sea of picnic tables, all made by aspiring craftsman from Parlin Forks Conservation Camp, it’s inspiring to see the instant community that gets established, just by sitting next to someone from another place, from another experience, and all gathered together for the support of the salmon.
Back to it after the break, the audience primarily switched from hot brew to cold brew as the sun starts to reclaim its rightful position overhead instead of the often-present marine layer of clouds. Did I tell you that we were giving all this coffee away? Well, the coffee was ‘free’ in exchange for a donation, in any amount, to Salmon Restoration. When we took an average at the end of the day people were donating about six bucks per cup of coffee… Generous people, voting with their dollars to support a cause that has delicious implications. (Image: Momma Grows Funk Band with crowd at Worlds Largest Salmon BBQ, Fort Bragg, CA)
Below are the coffees that were served at the Salmon BBQ for you to enjoy at home.
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![July Events 2023]()
Summer of Fun
July is only halfway done and yet the events are nonstop! Getting out amongst the world of coffee lovers gives us the best connection possible and exposure of our products to a wide range of audiences.
We have been doing lots and lots of non-stop local (and not-so-local) events recently, including:
Caspar-Fest
An annual event at the Caspar Community Center that brings the community together with local vendors and music in celebration of Caspar, CA
Bubbles, facepainting, kidzone at Caspar Fest with U'ilani Wesley
The band La Onda
The band Momma Grows Funk
The Redwood Coast Recreation Center
Here we offered our coffee to support the center in Sea Ranch, CA
"Your presence really added a nice touch and helped make it a successful event. We have gotten a LOT of positive feedback so we are hoping to repeat the event next summer!"
Beth Roland
B Local Bay Area
This event was a group mixer for B Corps in San Francisco. As a certfied B Corp we enjoy meeting and working with our local chapter to learn about the good work and practices of our colleagues.
The Chair of the Bay Area B Local Keira Murphy addresses the gathering, and a downtown view of Sales Force Tower in San Francisco
Nathan Nies at the Thanksgiving Coffee station sharing our delicious coffee and story with our fellow B Corp community.
The Mendocino Music Festival!
We have been serving coffee as a sponsor of the Music Festival since it's humble beginnings in 1986.
Festival Orchestra 1, with soloists Jessica Fellowes and Katie Kadarauch
View from the Festival Tent
Lavender Grace enjoying a cup of coffee at the Festival
Coffee brings people together. We are happy to support our community to learn and grow and celebrate one another with great coffee.
Stay tuned to all our Coffee Adventures
July Events 2023
read more -
![The World’s Largest Salmon BBQ]()
We Were There!
Participants of the Salmon BBQ in the beautiful Noyo Harbor, CA
The World’s Largest Salmon BBQ happened on 7/1, and again – Thanksgiving Coffee was there! This event brings together thousands of salmon lovers to raise money for salmon habitat restoration. The salmon fishery in California was closed this year – completely – in order to let the salmon population rebound, so everything that we can do to support increased spawning grounds will help the salmon, our local economy, and the entire ecosystem.
Thanksgiving Coffee Booth at the Salmon BBQ with CEO, Jonah Katzeff (on right ) out front.
Our booth provided hot coffee (Mocha Java and Royal Decaf) and cold brew (Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Natural from the Gedeb region) in exchange for any donation to Salmon Restoration. We raised nearly $500 from donations alone. Our Office Manager, Jennifer, CEO Jonah, and co-founders Paul and Joan were on hand with Sales and Marketing Manager, Joe, to keep the coffee flowing for 8 hours.
Jennifer Brown at Thanksgiving Coffee Booth at the Salmon BBQ
All we can do to support increased spawning grounds will help the salmon,
our local economy, and the entire ecosystem.We were not alone in this effort: fellow B Corps including North Coast Brewing Company and Harvest Market were on hand to donate, raise additional funds, and support the cause. The menu usually includes corn on the cob, but corn was in short supply this year, so Harvest Market was able to source organic new potatoes to supplant the menu.
Jennifer Bosma on right, representing both Harvest Market and Rotary
North Coast Brewing Company's CEO, Jennifer Owen, along with senior brewing staff serving a thirsty crowd at the World's Largest Salmon BBQ
Dozens of volunteers helped pull this event together and make it run smoothly including Rotary International (with participation from both Fort Bragg and Mendocino chapters), California Conservation Corp., Mendocino Sheriff’s Department, Salmon Restoration Association, and the celebrity grill team including lots of local dignitaries including Fort Bragg’s Mayor, several County Commissioners, local business owners, and many, many more.
Volunteers Serving up the food with smiles
"West of Nowhere" playing at the Salmon BBQ
The event had a lively festival atmosphere with great weather, great vibes and lots of live music including West of Nowhere (pictured), Steven Bates Band, the Caspar Kings, Earl Oliver, and Deep Pockets who started the day off with some very danceable grooves. One of the highlights is the annual release of the supporting shirt… this year’s shirt slogan, “If you must smoke – smoke salmon.”
Follow Stories of Restoration and More All Fueled by Coffee
The World’s Largest Salmon BBQ
read more
Summer of Fun
July is only halfway done and yet the events are nonstop! Getting out amongst the world of coffee lovers gives us the best connection possible and exposure of our products to a wide range of audiences.
We have been doing lots and lots of non-stop local (and not-so-local) events recently, including:
Caspar-Fest
An annual event at the Caspar Community Center that brings the community together with local vendors and music in celebration of Caspar, CA
Bubbles, facepainting, kidzone at Caspar Fest with U'ilani Wesley
The band La Onda
The band Momma Grows Funk
The Redwood Coast Recreation Center
Here we offered our coffee to support the center in Sea Ranch, CA
"Your presence really added a nice touch and helped make it a successful event. We have gotten a LOT of positive feedback so we are hoping to repeat the event next summer!"
Beth Roland
B Local Bay Area
This event was a group mixer for B Corps in San Francisco. As a certfied B Corp we enjoy meeting and working with our local chapter to learn about the good work and practices of our colleagues.
The Chair of the Bay Area B Local Keira Murphy addresses the gathering, and a downtown view of Sales Force Tower in San Francisco
Nathan Nies at the Thanksgiving Coffee station sharing our delicious coffee and story with our fellow B Corp community.
The Mendocino Music Festival!
We have been serving coffee as a sponsor of the Music Festival since it's humble beginnings in 1986.
Festival Orchestra 1, with soloists Jessica Fellowes and Katie Kadarauch
View from the Festival Tent
Lavender Grace enjoying a cup of coffee at the Festival
Coffee brings people together. We are happy to support our community to learn and grow and celebrate one another with great coffee.
Stay tuned to all our Coffee Adventures
July Events 2023
read more
We Were There!
Participants of the Salmon BBQ in the beautiful Noyo Harbor, CA
The World’s Largest Salmon BBQ happened on 7/1, and again – Thanksgiving Coffee was there! This event brings together thousands of salmon lovers to raise money for salmon habitat restoration. The salmon fishery in California was closed this year – completely – in order to let the salmon population rebound, so everything that we can do to support increased spawning grounds will help the salmon, our local economy, and the entire ecosystem.
Thanksgiving Coffee Booth at the Salmon BBQ with CEO, Jonah Katzeff (on right ) out front.
Our booth provided hot coffee (Mocha Java and Royal Decaf) and cold brew (Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Natural from the Gedeb region) in exchange for any donation to Salmon Restoration. We raised nearly $500 from donations alone. Our Office Manager, Jennifer, CEO Jonah, and co-founders Paul and Joan were on hand with Sales and Marketing Manager, Joe, to keep the coffee flowing for 8 hours.
Jennifer Brown at Thanksgiving Coffee Booth at the Salmon BBQ
All we can do to support increased spawning grounds will help the salmon,
our local economy, and the entire ecosystem.
We were not alone in this effort: fellow B Corps including North Coast Brewing Company and Harvest Market were on hand to donate, raise additional funds, and support the cause. The menu usually includes corn on the cob, but corn was in short supply this year, so Harvest Market was able to source organic new potatoes to supplant the menu.
Jennifer Bosma on right, representing both Harvest Market and Rotary
North Coast Brewing Company's CEO, Jennifer Owen, along with senior brewing staff serving a thirsty crowd at the World's Largest Salmon BBQ
Dozens of volunteers helped pull this event together and make it run smoothly including Rotary International (with participation from both Fort Bragg and Mendocino chapters), California Conservation Corp., Mendocino Sheriff’s Department, Salmon Restoration Association, and the celebrity grill team including lots of local dignitaries including Fort Bragg’s Mayor, several County Commissioners, local business owners, and many, many more.
Volunteers Serving up the food with smiles
"West of Nowhere" playing at the Salmon BBQ
The event had a lively festival atmosphere with great weather, great vibes and lots of live music including West of Nowhere (pictured), Steven Bates Band, the Caspar Kings, Earl Oliver, and Deep Pockets who started the day off with some very danceable grooves. One of the highlights is the annual release of the supporting shirt… this year’s shirt slogan, “If you must smoke – smoke salmon.”
Follow Stories of Restoration and More All Fueled by Coffee
The World’s Largest Salmon BBQ
read more
We Offered a Thriving Palace of Fine Coffee
Back from hiatus, the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival returned, and Thanksgiving Coffee Company was there. Inside the field that is sometimes used for high school sports, rodeo, sheepdog trials, and beer festivals, we constructed a working coffee house and served well over two thousand drinks.
Espresso, lattes, cold brew and many other delights kept the energy of the crowd right where it wanted to be. 75 lbs. of various coffees transformed an empty field into a thriving palace of fine coffee.
The Waiting Room/ Cafe Beaujolais's Chef Julian Lopez behind the Espresso Booth at the SNWMF
The booth came from TCC, but Chef Julian from the Waiting Room/Café Beaujolais brought his staff to operate it with great style and delicious offerings.
“It was Spaz-iale!”
The weather cooperated – never too hot, or too windy - but allowed all to enjoy three days of Peace, Love and Music. Thanks to Ksenia, Shelly and the whole crew at SNWMF for making it a wonderful experience all around.
As the SNWMF social media post said… “It was Spaz-iale!”
Photo by Hanane Korchi for SNWMF
Follow our Stories and Coffee Adventures