Salmon Fest serves up support for Kiwanis Pavilion

For the second year, a scrumptious salmon feast at Willows Beach raises funds for a great cause.

Oak Bay Kiwanis Pavilion Foundation teamed up with local sponsors to offer Salmon Fest, selling 170 plates of salmon to raise $1,600 for the Kiwanis Pavilion’s music programs - launched to offer musical therapy, music and memory sessions and concerts to its residents living with frailty and dementia.

The feast, which included a plate full of salmon, fries, bun, coleslaw, a Jones Soda, and ice cream sandwich for dessert, was paired with a live performance by The Real Truman Show.

“I know my salmon was delicious. I am not sure if I have tasted better,” said Janet Morningstar, vice-president of the Kiwanis Pavilion Foundation. “Thanks to everyone who came out for salmon and those who support our various fundraisers such as Sunday Breakfast and March Shredding at Willows Kiwanis Tea Room. We do what we do because of you!”

The power of community was on full display as Oak Bay Seafood provided the salmon fillets, Chef on the Run the coleslaw, Cobbs Shellbourne the buns and Telus PureFiber the ice cream sandwiches.

Coun. Hazel Braithwaite and Coun. Kevin Murdoch were on hand cooking salmon while Mayor Nils Jensen helped serve. Lance Pretty, of Hedge Hog construction, pitched in as head cook, and Tyler Rely, Rely Metal, sponsored the music for the event while also pitching in with clean up and set up. Coun. Eric Zhelka sat for a caricature portrait by Teresa Waclawik, who drew caricatures with proceeds going to Kiwanis Pavilion Foundation. Chris Hyde-Lay, manager of Parks Services for Oak Bay, and his crew delivered the tables, chairs and tents for the event.

The Kiwanis Pavilion is a residential care facility providing compassionate comfort care to people living and dying with frailty and dementia.

Sunday Breakfasts at Willows Tea Room, which also support the Kiwanis Pavilion will run from January to mid-April 2019.