Pateros River Run and Salmon Bake scores a big weekend in Memorial Park

PATEROS – It might be easier to list the activities that were not at the Bile Rally, Salmon Bake and Cultural Celebration at Pateros Memorial Park last Saturday and Sunday, June 23-24, rather than try to mention all that was there.
Motorcyclists from The Samaritan Riders of Washington gathered for their poker run fundraiser for 16-year-old cancer patient Lionel Valdez.

Salmon from three locations, the Queets River on the Olympic Peninsula, the Copper River in Alaska and from Astoria, Oregon, was a big draw for diners who formed a long line for the traditional flame-cooked delicacy.

Native American cultural demonstrations featured everything from basket weaving and beadwork to tipis and tule mats.
Arnold Cleveland on guitar and Native American flute entertained the crowd during the day and the Chelan band, Waterdog, took over in the evening.

A beer garden and food vendors provided everything needed in the way of food and refreshments.

Several political candidates were on hand with booth displays promoting their bids for elective office.

A raffle, silent auction and sales of Pateros-Brewster Community Resource Center t-shirts with the Monument to the Methow sketch provided visitors with a selection of mementos to remember the event.

The PBCRC manned a booth to promote its efforts to enlist more residents to join the Map Your Neighborhood project for natural disaster preparations.

The New Old Time Chautauqua, fresh from an earlier visit to the Brewster Boys and Girls Club marched through the park with its complement of musicians and entertainers.

A crew of Native American paddlers powered a traditional dugout canoe from a launching point up the Methow River to the park dock.

There was so much going on that visitors had to return to their weekday jobs just to get some rest.