PAYSON — Every August firefighters weather the heat as they stand over multiple fire pits set ablaze to cook thousands of pounds of fresh Alaskan salmon.
This year the city has ordered 4,050 pounds for its annual Salmon Supper.
The popular event has become Utah County's largest fish fry, drawing more out-of-towners than residents.
Busloads of senior citizens are coming from Price, Richfield, Logan and other Utah cities. At least 5,000 people are expected at the 52nd annual feed, events coordinator Debbie Bushnell said.
Fire pits traditionally line the 200 South roadway, casting a smoky haze and an inviting, delicious aroma over the neighborhood.
The supper includes generous helpings of fresh salmon grilled over dried fruitwood fires and served with baked potatoes, cole slaw, corn on the cob, a drink and dessert.
(The price has inched up little the last decade. In 1996 it was $9.)
For the 30 to 40 firefighters and ambulance crew — some retired — cooking the salmon is a labor of love.
More than 300 volunteers are expected to pitch in, many of them from sports teams, drill teams and the cheerleading squad at Payson High School, Bushnell said.
The annual fish fry started in 1954 as a fund-raiser for a local Payson LDS church. As it grew, so did the tradition. But when the church stopped holding fund-raisers about 15 years ago, the city took it over, using money raised by the sale of tickets to fund city projects.
Last year ticket sales brought in $42,000 for Payson City.
The money was used for the dinner and improvements to the park, Bushnell said.
Call to get tickets or visit the city Web site, www.payson.org.
E-mail: rodger@desnews.com