While last year I had been hesitant about trying smelt for the first time at the Historic Green Door Smelt Fry, this year I was excited. With my parents in tow, we took the long way to Beaver Bay due to the detour out of Two Harbors, a beautiful drive on a warm May afternoon. I couldn’t wait for them to try the original recipe that Baptism River Barbeque Company so meticulously recreated when they revived the event.
The 25th annual smelt fry, and the fifth year since Baptism River Barbeque and the Green Door brought the tradition back, was still hopping by the time we arrived. We came later in the day because I had a feeling I needed to be there for the raffle.
Live music carried across the parking lot. The bar was a few rows deep. Kids bounced in a colorful bouncy house. Folks wandered through the Outdoor Sports Expo put on by Jesse Viola, who I finally met in person when we walked in. (It was great to meet you, Jesse!)
The Expo, now in its eighth year, began in 2018 after Beaver Bay Days ended and has grown into a major fundraiser for youth outdoor programs across Lake County.
Arriving later meant we avoided the long line, but photos shared afterward showed that wasn’t the case earlier in the day. Kaylee and Dan Cahill Mathews estimated around 750 attendees, hungry for smelt or the very long and very popular hot dogs purchased from Yker Acres of Carlton.
“This has to be our biggest turnout yet,” Kaylee said in an email. “We had lots of folks from Minnesota attend and folks who traveled from out of state.”
The event took months of planning, including long hours of smelting and prep work. It was nearly canceled because of the Stewart Trail Fire, but the show went on.
“While the wind made things a bit challenging and we were carefully monitoring updates about the Stewart Trail Fire, we were very happy to host an event that so many people were able to enjoy,” Kaylee said.
It took a lot of hands and support to make it all happen.
“This was our biggest smelt fry yet. We fed the most people smelt we ever have before! We are so glad we got to share it with you. This community event would not be possible without everyone who came and attended to make it as successful as it was. We’d like to send a special thanks to Lovin’ Lake County, The Outdoor Sports Expo presented by Jesse Viola, The Green Door Municipal Bar, The City of Beaver Bay, North Shore Area Partners, the musicians, the vendors, the sponsors, and the photographers,” Kaylee and Dan said.
They added, “Finally, since the original smelt fry in 1958, this event has been powered by a strong community of volunteers. We’d like to thank every volunteer who had any part with this along the way. We are grateful for each and every one of you.”
Somehow, my intuition about the raffle was right. Several numbers were called before mine, but no one claimed them. When they called my number, I couldn’t believe it. If anyone remembers, I won a raffle last year at the event. I can no longer say I never win anything. I walked away with a bag of swag and promptly turned in my free drink token to the bar‑ tenders at the Green Door, who make an excellent tequila sunrise.
As for my parents, the verdict was clear. My momassumed she would try one smelt and quietly pass therest to my dad. There was no need. She enjoyed it. Mydad, a lifelong smelt lover, had more than a few helpings and wasn’t very hungry the next day. He agreed the smelt was excellent.
It was a great way to spend an afternoon, and I think it may have just become a family tradition for us, joining the long list of families who return year after year.
