Salmonstock celebrates music, food and wild salmon
John Woodbury | Coast Magazinehe LOG
Seattle’s Jim Page performs during a sunny day at last year’s Salmonstock.
Salmonstock is a celebration of wild Alaska salmon and the people who depend upon them. It’s also about the power people possess to protect our resources and livelihoods. Renewable Resources Foundation (RRF), along with the Renewable Resources Coalition (RRC), invites everyone to Ninilchik on August 3-5 to join more than 3,000 attendees in the fight to protect wild Alaska salmon. RRF’s mission is to protect Alaska’s hunting and fishing grounds for future generations as was easily seen in the crowd that rallied together in 2011 for live music, action, art and festivities.
“Salmonstock is an incredibly successful event because it brings all Alaskans together to celebrate salmon and our lifestyle that depends on them,” says Kate Huber, Membership & Communications Manager for Renewable Resources Foundation. “More than simply a music festival, it’s about the power we have to protect our resources and livelihoods. It’s a celebration for absolutely everyone who appreciates wild salmon as a renewable resource and wants to stand up to protect them.”
If Salmonstock sounds too much like a political rally, think again. This show features multiple stages with top Alaskan, Northwestern and national musical artists. Visual art by master artists in residence is showcased throughout the festival on both the stage and buildings. The festival also highlights the best of Alaskan fare with an elite roster of local restaurant booths exhibiting their individual prowess in preparing Alaskan cuisine. The extensive beer garden offers tasty Alaskan brews from across the state. At Salmonstock, not a single ingredient for fun has been left out.
“In addition to music and art, people can expect to find delicious food, fire dancers, kids’ activities and many opportunities to learn about the current issues that affect wild Alaska salmon,” says Huber.
Also featured at Salmonstock are Alaskan arts and crafts from local merchants. It wouldn’t be a festival without a little memorabilia and a few souvenirs.
Salmonstock is an educational event with both an Awareness Center and an Action Center to provide Salmonstockers with the knowledge and resources necessary to “For example, all Salmonstock visitors will be invited to sign The Renewable Resources Coalition’s Pebble Pledge, which urges our governor and representatives to stop Pebble Mine,” says Huber.
The festivities take place at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik. Found on the Cook Inlet coast along the Sterling Highway, Ninilchik is a gorgeous three-hour drive away from Anchorage and is home to both commercial and sport fishing businesses, as well as a beautiful and historic Russian Orthodox Church, and a group of world-famous racing pigs. While enjoying the music and art, Salmonstockers can also take in views of an active volcano range. On a clear day stunning Augustine Volcano, Mount Iliamna, Mount Redoubt and Mount Spur can be seen across Cook Inlet. Salmonstock blends a smalltown country fair atmosphere with the amenities of an established music festival, and the backdrop of beautiful Alaskan scenery.
Attendees from out-of-state, prepare to be impressed. “Visitors from out-of-state,” Huber says, “were blown away to find a first-class music festival with an intimate country fair location, in a town set against Cook Inlet with stunning views of the Alaska Range.”
The first year event was a tremendous success with 35 bands joining together to perform among an impressive array of installation art. Supporters of renewable resource protection and music lovers will be impressed even further for 2012. Huber says, “This year Salmonstockers are going to experience bigger headliners, more bands, a new third stage, the best of Alaskan food and beer, as well as more fun activities including a salmon feed, auction and interactive art.”
Salmonstock has become Alaska’s largest music festival, and together attendees can show the world why they’re so passionate about renewable resources and what can be done to ensure another millennia of great fishing.