PAYSON -- Alaskan salmon isn't common in Payson, except each August when thousands of pounds are trucked in for a dinner that attracts so many outsiders it takes most of the town's residents to feed them.

Organizers are expecting 2,300 fish eaters to gather at a city park Friday night, marking the 45th year of the salmon supper. A large crew of volunteers was slated to work all day Friday preparing the salmon, which arrived at Salt Lake International Airport Thursday.Raymond Montague is a 78-year-old Payson resident who remembers eating salmon at the first-ever supper in 1954. He'll be supervising volunteer firefighters who will prepare the salmon this year.

"You cut off the belly fins but leave the back fin," said Montague, explaining the special way Payson prepares its fish for maximum taste. "You cut the neck bone off and scrape the scales. Then you wash them."

All 3,200 pounds of salmon purchased for $2 per pound will be seasoned and then cooked over wood from apple and other fruit trees. Montague said the result is a culinary delight that is more than worth the cost of $9.50 per plate, which also includes baked potatoes from Santaquin and corn on the cob from Utah County's Harward Farms.

The salmon supper began as a friendly fund-raiser for a local congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Church members continued the tradition until 1989, when a committee of civic leaders assumed responsibility.

Those who enjoy the supper most are diners who come from outside Payson, said committee chairwoman Julie Whiting. Payson residents themselves are usually busy in the kitchen at Payson High School or tending the grills.

"Ninety percent of those who come are from out of town," Montague said.

Many of the patrons are former Payson residents. Because of the power of tradition and word-of-mouth, the salmon supper committee doesn't need to advertise.

Seemingly everyone in town has an assignment; even the high school football team is responsible for packing away the tables and chairs after the feast is all over. The firefighters are especially qualified for their jobs.

"This is hot, miserable work," said volunteer fireman Mike Pulver, who could have been talking about battling blazes but actually was referring to broiling salmon. About 20 firefighters in all will participate.

Whiting said the purpose of the salmon supper remains what it was in 1954: to promote friendliness and to raise funds. But instead of the profits going to the LDS Church, proceeds from this year's supper will be used to upgrade the playground equipment at city parks frequented by children, she said.

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"Payson really needs that," Whiting said. "Until recently, the equipment at the main park in town hadn't been changed since I was a kid, and it was old even then."

Last year, the city netted $4,000 in profits from the salmon feast.

With the price of salmon a little lower this year, and barring an unprecedented rainstorm, profits this year should be a little higher. Other than a little sprinkle, the salmon supper hasn't been affected by weather in 45 years, Montague said.

The salmon will be served from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 250 S. Main.

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