One of Central Oregon's most cherished community traditions returns this Saturday, May 16, when the Central Oregon Community College Salmon Bake takes place at the newly expanded Madras campus from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Hosted by COCC's Native American program and the First Nations Student Union Club, the event is free and open to the entire community. Traditional baked salmon will be served starting at noon.
Schedule of Events
- 11:00 a.m. — Doors open, vendor booths, silent auction begins
- 11:30 a.m. — Entertainment begins
- Noon — Traditional salmon service begins
- 3:00 p.m. — Event closes
Entertainment
The entertainment lineup reflects the cultural diversity of the Jefferson County region:
- James Edmund Greeley — Traditional Native American flute
- Warm Springs K-8 drum and dance group — Sharing indigenous song and dance traditions
- Grupo Folklórico el Sol — Performing traditional folkloric dances representing the county's Latino community
Supporting Students
All donations and proceeds from the silent auction go directly to the COCC First Nations Student Union scholarship program. The fund helps support Native American students pursuing higher education at the Madras campus and beyond.
Nearly 4 percent of COCC students for the current academic year identify as American Indian or Alaska Native — a reflection of the campus's deep connection to the Warm Springs community and the surrounding region.
The Madras campus has recently undergone expansion, and this year's Salmon Bake is one of the first major community events to take place at the upgraded facility. Organizers say the expanded space will allow for a better experience for attendees.
The COCC Madras campus is located at 2022 SW Nye Ave. in Madras. Parking is available on site. The event is wheelchair accessible. No ticket is required — just show up.