The Rendezvous, an island homecoming

The Rendezvous – SJI Historical Society photo

SJI Historical Society checks in with their August edition of the History Column…

Could you be in this picture?

Here we see a beach scene from the legendary annual salmon feast known as The Rendezvous. The snapshot is described as being taken in the 1950s, in the area now known as Shipyard Cove Marina.

The Rendezvous was first held in 1948 as a homecoming gathering when island fishermen returning from the season in Alaska were welcomed home, along with their bounty of salmon. The fishermen shared their catch and local associations provided side dishes. This annual event had a great run of about 35 years and was generally held on the first or second Saturday in August. 

The Seattle Times reported that the 1949 event attracted nearly 2,500 people and that 1,500 pounds of salmon came off the grill that day. In those days, the Rendezvous was free to all and, in true island style, was followed by a dance that went on nearly to dawn the next day.

Early sponsors included the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce and the Moose Lodge. The Lions Club, which had always been involved, assumed full sponsorship in 1965 and turned the Rendezvous into a fundraiser for community projects. At some point, its location moved to the Port of Friday Harbor. Ticket prices peaked at $7 in the 1980s before the long tradition of the Rendezvous ended. 

This story from our island history was written with the help of resources found in the San Juan Historical Society & Museum archives. If you see yourself or someone you know in this archived photo, won’t you please let us know? If you have a Rendezvous story to share or photographs to show us, let’s talk!

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