One of Jefferson County's most beloved annual traditions returns this Saturday, and this year it has a new home.

The Central Oregon Community College Salmon Bake — a free, community-wide celebration of Native American culture, food, and connection — takes place Saturday, May 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the newly expanded COCC Madras campus. The event has been a regional tradition for more than a quarter century, hosted by the college's Native American program and the First Nations Student Union Club.

What to Expect

Traditional baked salmon will be served beginning at noon and is free to all attendees. The event also features:

  • Live music and traditional dance performances
  • Vendor booths from Native and local artisans
  • A silent auction
  • Cultural displays and community gathering

This year's Salmon Bake carries added significance: it is the first one held in the newly completed $22 million campus building, which opened to students this spring after a years-long expansion project. The new 24,000-square-foot facility more than doubles the campus's original footprint and is now home to nursing, medical assistant, certified nursing assistant, and early childhood education programs.

A Celebration Rooted in the Region

The Salmon Bake reflects the deep cultural ties between COCC's Madras campus and the surrounding indigenous community, particularly the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Salmon has held spiritual and cultural significance for the tribes of this region for thousands of years, and the annual event honors that heritage while welcoming the broader Jefferson County community into a shared celebration.

The event is also a welcoming moment for the newly expanded campus to show its community face. Campus director James Rodriguez has emphasized that the building's purpose goes beyond classrooms — it's a community asset meant to serve everyone in the region.

Also on May 16

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office will be conducting boat inspections at Madras Marine from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. that same Saturday — a reminder that Lake Billy Chinook season is also heating up. And the Nature Kids — Pollinator Power program runs from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Sahalee Park for younger community members.

The COCC Madras campus is located at 2030 SE College Loop in Madras. The Salmon Bake is free and open to the public. No RSVP required.