Alaska Salmon Bake

The salmon is grilled fresh in front of you. The halibut and cod are also fresh but not grilled. You get a nice salad bar and fresh country potatoes and green beans. There are options to add more than one fish for extra or you can have just one fish type. It's a true Alaskan experience outdoors or you can sit inside. We enjoyed it so much we ate there twice last week.

We were not expecting this to be on the park but it turned out to be great. The line moved quickly. There was seating in the dining room. The music level was fine for eating, it is only loud at the doorway. Surprisingly the salmon was very good

When you go to a seafood restaurant, you expect the fish to be the star of the show. Sadly, ours didn’t even make it past the audition. The salmon was so overcooked it could’ve been repurposed as a hockey puck, and the halibut? Let’s just say it was dry enough to qualify as a desert exhibit. The sides were so unseasoned, I started wondering if the chef had taken a vow against spices. Honestly, the only thing saving this meal from complete disaster was the prime rib egg rolls—those were the Beyoncé of the night while the seafood played backup vocals from a mile away. If you’re going for seafood, you might want to bring your own seasoning and a gallon of sauce. But hey, if you like prime rib egg rolls, you’re in luck—they’re the real catch here.

2025 This place is a lot more than the Pit-baked, fresh, delicious salmon. This place is a museum, it is a small park with lots of walking space to hang out, antique machines, and indoor and ourdoor eatry. Back to salmon: I have seen Salmon in lower 48 States, this salmon is the real deal. Simply fresh, pit-baked with love and care, juicy, flaky, and yummy. I thought I couldnt finish one steak, I ended up going for another one. You have to try it for yourself. For dessert, I tried the blueberry short cake. I thought I will try a spoon or two, I finished the whole thing. Delicious. Enjoy few pictures and a video with smiling staff and pit expert. Highly Highly Highly Recomended !!! 2023 Awesome experience. The best Salmon i had. Fresh no doubt, you dont find this kind of Salmon in Indiana. Sorry my plate do not much because i eat it all. I had grilled Salmon. Must try is fried potatoes.

I had high hopes because of what a local told me about this place. I opted to start off the visit by going through the tunnel to get to the other side, then took a walk around the park to build up my appetite. The workers there were friendly but as far as the food goes, I was hoping to strike gold but came away a false hope prospector. I enjoyed the baked bean side and the grilled wild Alaskan salmon the best, although I would say the fish was a bit under seasoned. The hot sides, including the beans were anything but. The roasted potatoes were too wet to be considered roasted. The outdoor salad bar was very standard and the bread roll was very dry from being set out so long. I did like the appeal of eating outside, being able to see and smell the outdoor grilling, and getting the main dish directly from the cooks. The outdoor picnic atmosphere was pleasant under the trees and I did not have any mosquito issues. They must be doing something right because a line started to form with all the patrons coming to get dinner. A unique one-time experience but unfortunately, I would not repeat.

Outdoorcsalmon bake. Salad bar had great tasting sides. I enjoyed the salmon, fried cod, and prime rib. Had some mixed reviews from others in out party.

This was an excellent experience, set in a super interesting setting with all the mining exhibits. You are treated to the smoky aroma of the wood fire cooking the food. Food was delicious. Prime rib and nice selection of fish. Of course the wife had to try the crab legs. Yum. Beer and wine drinks, the ladies had a wonderful pitcher of sangria. I drank both of the IPAs. Highly recommended

A great place for gathering with family/friends/SO or just treating yourself for a tasty meal, alone. We tried Salmon Basket which includes fries, a soft drink, and a chunk of wild catch Alaskan salmon grilled on wood fire. Check the photos and videos. It was very tasty. I’d certainly go back if I visit Fairbanks again.

The Alaska Salmon Bake is one of those spots that has the makings of a really memorable experience. Found inside Pioneer Park and open for the dinner hours, it has lots of seating, both in cabins nearby and in picnic settings right by the grill. Either way carries the same rustic picnic vibe. The food was described by the person I was with as "A lot of Mediocre Seafood". The mother load had a lot of food on it. It was a decent sampling of the cod, halibut, salmon, prime rib, and 3 sides. We expected the halibut to be better than the cod, but they were about equal. We both felt it was a little undercooked and a bit battery. The salmon was dry, but the glaze was tasty. The prime rib was good, it may have been the best entree on the plate. The Mac and cheese was good. Beans and Potatoes are hard to mess up. The crab legs were good. About what you would expect from crab legs. Maybe a little fishy at the joint, but the meat was generally good. The service getting through the food line was quick. Salad bar is self service. It was adequate but nothing fancy. There was a station for sides, then one for meats, then a different hut for drinks. We didn't have any problem getting through the line and the staff were friendly. So service was good. Don't be mistaken, this is a nostalgia stop, not a dining stop. The experience is unique and fun. There are cool things to look at right next to the seating. You will go home telling people about the place, not the food. If I could give an extra half star, it would be a 3.5. But the words "mediocre seafood" really ring true leaving this a 3 star spot.

Stopped by for something interesting in Fairbanks. This located in the Pioneer Park. We opted to get the Mother Lode which includes prime rib, halibut, cod, and salmon with three hot sides and a salad bar. Plenty of condiments. The grilled salmon was good on its own. Both the cod and halibut were battered so some tartar can help. The prime rib comes with au jus to your liking but you can help yourself to two kinds of horseradish. You pay first for this establishment, and you're handed plate(s) based on your meal selection. The staff know to hand you the right items for your meal based on the size of the tray or plate. Seating is indoors or outdoors, and you can serve your own fountain drinks. From a taste perspective we were satisfied with the flavors and volume, but for us too much batter. It's worth it for the experience!

Salmon Bake "Well I told you once and I told you twice That someone will have to pay the price Well, this could be the last time Maybe the last time, I don't know" (Jagger and Richards) My final meal in Alaska, and probably the final meal I will ever have in Alaska, was at the Alaska Salmon Bake. Our prepaid meal was ordered through our tour company, so after our bus dropped us off we entered the grounds through what looked like an old dark and narrow mine entrance that opened up into a fairgrounds chock full of picnic tables and concession stands. Dinner was our choice of several groupings that were set up in separate stations. There was a big salad bar with rolls and butter, a grill station to pick up your salmon, cod, roast beef, or vegetable kebabs, a station with sides of baked beans, mac and cheese and roast potatoes, ans more stations for sauce, beverages, and desserts. After visiting the various stations, I had a nice dinner salad, a salmon filet with roast potatoes and baked beans, a soft drink, and a berry cheesecake. The meal was very good, and the salmon filet was a generous cut. After dinner, I walked around the grounds to admire the dozens of pieces of old rusted farm and construction equipment that were everywhere, like a herd of ancient dinosaurs. Salmon is King in Alaska, so it seemed very fitting and appropriate that my last meal in this glorious state would be to eat salmon in a place named the Alaska Salmon Bake.

Absolutely amazing, the best salmon I have ever had in my life. I'm from Chicago and this was my dream to have a fresh salmon dinner in Alaska. Anyone giving this place less than 5 stars is a negative Karen hater. Wonderful staff and salad bar. Will definitely be returning in the future

Sub par food. Dismal weather and crowded lines. No service--you just stand in line and get your food like a cafeteria. By the time you walk to a table, your food is cold. Then you get to throw your own trash away. This is a tourist trap. It's supposed to be folksy, but it's just not good.

We arrived on Sunday 1 September after a trip to Chena hot springs. We ordered three salmon baked and a beer battered cod, all with cauliflower rice, basket and bowl. Food is all right.

The worst salmon in Alaska! One piece was overcooked to the point of being tough, the other could have been sashimi! None of it was seasoned, and by the time we moved through the stations, the sides were cold! Hopefully they will address this concern as this was part of a tour. DO NOT waste the money!!

Dined early in their season. Perhaps not quite up to their usual standard yet. No appetizers shown on menu were available. Salad bar was OK - house made blueberry vinaigrette was nice. Salmon was very good, cooked nicely. Prime rib was OK, but other fish items on menu weren't available. Sides were good dessert "choices" were only one choice - ice cream sundae with ice cream so hard frozen it couldn't be eaten readily. RUSTIC and inauthentic experience not as advertised. No table service- do it yourself. Hotel pickup in vintage schoolbus was more than 1/2 hour late. Cost excessive for what we got. Disappointed!

This dining establishment is located inside an entity called Pioneer Park--not sure what that is (which might be for the best), but suffice to say it is not necessary to enter the park (or at least pay admission) to dine here. They primarily offer grilled or fried fish options either in a basket (with fries) or with unlimited salad bar visits (+ $10). I got there a bit before closing and salad bar wasn't an option, but that was fine with me this evening. Ergo, I ordered the salmon basket. They have a big outdoor grill they cook over, and call your name when ready. Salmon was a touch overcooked, but reasonably tasty. Fries were overly salty (salt a bit heavy on the salmon too), but nice and crisp. A bit disappointed with the off brand ketchup packets, but what can you do. Drink options seemed plentiful and reasonably priced--a number of good local beer options in particular--and there is a nice shaded outdoor table seating area. Overall, an acceptable to solid place to eat, with the bonus of offering a reasonably healthy option in the grilled salmon. If you're in a fun park--or, in my case, staying at a shitty Super 8 on a strip with mostly fast food restaurants--you could do a lot worse than here for dinner.

We stopped here on a group tour in early August 2024. I was excited that we were going here, but was ultimately disappointed. To get your food you have to go to several different serving stations, and they are unusually spread out. By the time you get your food, it is cold. On top of that, the salmon was overcooked and dry and the sides were meh. I'm not sure what the owners are going for here, but in the end it came off as not being that dissimilar to a outdoor theme-park food court, and I left sure that I had just visited a tourist trap. If you're in Fairbanks, you can do better.

So we're in Alaska....naturally, there's a need to get some quality salmon. As our trip was coming to a close, I had yet to have any. Alaska Salmon Bake was suggested as one of the top spots in Fairbanks by a local, so we decided to give it a shot. It is located right next door to Pioneer Park, with a cool entrance that has you walk through the coal mines to get to the outdoor eatery. I liked the camp-like feel. There were lots of picnic tables available to eat outside, as well as a dining hall. There was like one person in the hall.....why give up the opportunity to dine in the great outdoors with the fresh air?? You order your food at the Welcome Center, then pick up at the grill. They offer some decent appetizers, a full salad bar, dinners, and baskets. The only difference with the bake dinners and the bake baskets is that the dinners allow for a choice of side and the salad bar, and the baskets only come with fries. Oh yeah, and about a $10 difference. Since my goal was just to have some salmon, I went with the Salmon Bake Basket. It was decent enough, slightly overcooked, made the classic Alaskan way with brown sugar. It also comes with a drink; you have to pay extra if you want anything besides water, lemonade, or tea. They also have a bar so you can grab a nice adult beverage if you so desire. Overall, I enjoyed the atmosphere, but the 3 stars were more so for the food. Unfortunate if that's the best Fairbanks has to offer for some quality salmon.

I was just expecting a lot from this place flavor/food wise but it was just okay. Spending $80 on a meal, we ordered the mother-load and a mozzarella cheese sticks. I think they should clearly tell the customers what to do. It's a bit confusing esp when you are haaangggry.. Mosquitoes galore so make sure u have the spray if eating outside,. we ate inside the dining hall that has plenty of space. The food is just okay, a bit salty. But i guess, people come here for the experience. Parking - by the park. you have to walk from there.(a minute walk)

We had high hopes for this place. It was advertised to us as an authentic Alaskan experience. So what fish do you get when you're in Alaska? Salmon, of course. Three of us ordered the baked salmon and one of us (who is allergic) ordered the prime rib. In hindsight, we all probably should've ordered the prime rib. The salmon was overcooked, dry and tasteless. I've had salmon jerky that tasted better. The rib however, was tender and glistening with its juices. The salad bar was okay. We all got the mac and cheese and they did not skimp on the scoopfuls. It was alright, nothing that wowed me. Lastly, we had the blueberry cheesecake. That too, was okay. In all, the food was a letdown. The rest of Pioneer Park was great to stroll through.

First visited the salmon bake in 2015. salmon bake was really good in 2015. Returned in 2024. We were incredibly disappointed. Salmon was dried out and the halibut was greasy. Sides were cold because we had to wait 20 minutes for Halibt. Served salad out of a bag. Very low quality food. Price was high for what we got. will never return. Other local restaurants offer better options.

There are other choices besides salmon! We chose the halibut dinner which was very good. It included two sides plus the salad bar. There was a choice of outside or inside seating. We chose outside.

So disappointed. We love Salmon. Was expecting the best - we were in Alaska! The fish was overcooked and so dry it was flavorless.

We enjoyed our dinner and time spent here. The service was excellent, everyone was so friendly and helpful. The food was delicious and plentiful. Walking around the Pioneer Village was a nice way after the meal to work off a few calories. The ambiance of the place takes you back in time to pre Industrial Revolution.

This was recommended as a "must do" for us. It was underwhelming. The setting was amazing. I loved sitting outside and eating. The salmon, though, was dry! In my family,we found the prime rib to be the favorite food. I wouldn't do this again.

I had an incredibly good time here. Is it expensive, yes, but that's because their crab is mo after sizes, their servings are massive and the experience is second to none. Me and my party had an absolutely incredible experience. The owner walks around serving, chatting, helping and just being generally a very kind person. The salmon is sooooo good, the crab and their dips for their food are bomb. I will be going back there again before I leave.

Don't come here expecting delicious Alaskan Salmon. What we buy at Cosco in NC and grill ourselves is waaaaay better. Fried cod was greasy, salad bar okay. Desserts were the highlight, but not much competition considering how mediocre everything was. Outdoor dining under the trees was nice, just watch out for the stumps. Limited variety of drinks, no soda. Tea, coffee, lemonade, water included.

The entrance to this place is through an unique old gold mine tunnel! Once you're in, you're greeted by a bunch of stalls and a large dining room. The food was indeed very appetizing, we had a salmon and a cod basket. Plus they were selling the most amazing Sangria as well. The potentially sad part is that they are not operational all through the year, and are done for this season.

All my food was cold, salad bar was very average and had a few bugs in it from sitting outside all day. The salmon was quiet a small piece for the $35 that you pay for one meal ontop of lack of flavor made for great disappointment. I wouldn't go back.

Sorry but we were underwhelmed, I might be a bit generous with a 3. It was $39 per person to get in, they offered cod, salmon, prime rib. I chose to go with salmon. It was slightly fishy and way, way overcooked. I also had the pasta salad (oily with big chunks of cheese and salami) and crispy potatoes which tasted good. They have a nice beer and wine selection and that costs extra. The highlight for me was the moose desert. Very good. There is a ton of old mining equipment to look at. There is also a large riverboat sitting in dry dock to look over. Impressive collection.

The perfect storm. Came here as part of my Collette tour bus group of Alaska and Yukon, 515pm on a Monday. Winds were picking up, and skies darkening, as rain clouds moving fast on the horizon. First in my group, as I was being honored as the birthday boy. Skipped the salad bar line and the hot foods extra line, going straight to the fish and meat line. Given two pieces of Alaskan cod, picked up one piece of grilled sockeye salmon, and given one slice of blood red prime rib. Crab costs extra, up to $12 extra for Alaskan king crab. Doubled back to get roasted potatoes, before going indoors to find a table. No table found, as no two contiguous empty seats among the 8 cafeteria tables, each seating 20, nor among the 14 single tables each seating 4. Turned out that 4 busloads of tourists from Minnesota had arrived some 30 minutes earlier. Finally found two seats, but one required getting a chair from down the table. Wife was on that side of the table, and tried dragging the chair down the aisle between two dinner tables with occupied chairs on opposite tables jammed tight against each other. On my side, nobody could get out as my chair was jammed against the beer belly of some dude 100 pounds overweight. Eventually everything worked out, but by that time, my prime rib was cold and tasteless. Alaskan cod was the highlight of the meal, breaded but with tender fillets underneath, but only two small pieces. Had to go outside to the tent with the clean plates, to get a new plate, and then to the cod line, only to find out they were out, and to come back 5 minutes later for a new batch. WTH!? The sockeye was OK, but overcooked, tasting more like white fish than a red salmon. Prime rib also dried out quickly. Wife got me dessert, only to find they ran out of lemon cakes. The strawberry rhubarb was undercooked, too tart, and tasted chewey when it should have tasted soft and mushy. 30 minutes after we sat down, amid packed tables, those same tables empty. Too late for some of our travel companions, who had to eat outside, getting soaked in the wind and rain., Bathrooms too small and the toilet only separated by a curtain from the urinal in a phone booth sized bathroom. Getting back onto the bus, reminded that things could have been worse, as one dude soaked to the bone from eating out in the rain. What a birthday dinner to forget!

Prices way too high. They are tourist prices. Food was great, but not worth the price they charge.

Care about delivering a good quality product to the customers , has some supervisors to monitor the cooking of the salmon so it is not allowed to become overcooked , the prime rib was not kept warm properly, it was all about show and again not serving a quality meal

It is in what is probably a tacky amusement village but everything else was closed for the season. We were there on September 12. The grilled salmon was good and the side dishes were acceptable. The salad bar was unimpressive with cold biscuits despite being under a heat lamp. The setup looks like it feeds hundreds per night in season. We sat outside to eat.

It's amazing to me that in the land of fresh fish that is Alaska, they still manage to ruin perfectly good fish. I guess if you want it fried then maybe this is the place for you. But the grilled Salmon is horrible. Aesthetically, it's a neat place. Too bad the food isn't better!

Best salmon I ever had. Great outdoor seating and a awesome entrance. I recommend this place to anyone who visits my only complaint is the high price

People were nice but the food is lacking. Had the salmon as I figured it would be great being in Alaska and for an event called the "salmon bake" but the fish was NOT good at all. The sides were very plain and salad bar was routine. Very disappointed in this experience. Would not recommend

I like the idea of this place and the atmosphere is really enjoyable, but unfortunately the salmon just isn't that good. Dry, and no flavor. Made edible by the availability of spicy tarter sauce to drown it in. Not worth the money. But the Hoodoo Kolsch was good. So two stars for the beer!

I can't imagine this is where local people go for quality or reasonable prices. The prime rib is dry and tasteless and the salmon is ok. There isn't much to the salad bar, comes out of a bag and there aren't many toppings. The sides were pretty good (velvets cheese & Mac, potatoes),but served more at room temperature. Water & lemonade are included. After paying $70 for a mediocre meal, they expect you to bus your own tables.

I would say this is a must if visiting Fairbanks AK. Plenty of food to pick from, you will not leave hungry or it's your own fault. Full buffet of salad bar, side items, drinks, and the main course choices are of course Salmon, but offerings of prime rib and battered cod are plentiful. I'm not a fan of salmon but I had 2 pieces and it was excellent. Glazed with a sweet coating, and grilled/baked over an open fire pit. Outdoor and indoor seating available. Nice evening in July to sit outside.

The halibut was great. They did a great job adapting to the current situation. It was awesome to eat outside and enjoy an Alaskan summer meal. The customer service was tops. It's a classic for a reason.

The salmon was very dry and burnt black from bottom. The halibut was the best out of both. Don't try the salmon, and definitely not the best salmon.

Salmon was just ok. Had a huge piece. Potatoes were good but the had an off brand ketchup that was not good. Salad passable. You had to wait on a 20 minute line to order your food.

The food is good and the price is reasonable for Alaska. The reviews that say it's not good are wrong. It was a good experience.

Check out the new menu! Ate there last night and the food was fantastic with huge portions. Loved the halibut and salmon! So good at such a great value as salad, homemade biscuit with honey butter, choice of side, lemonade/ice tea and a huge dessert is all included with your entree. Kid's menu too. So much good food! It's a safe, relaxed evening for the family. Plenty of spaced out seating either indoors or outside in the Fairbanks sun. The beverage booth has a great selection of Alaskan craft beers, sangria and a good selection of wines. You will see the friendly masked staff constantly cleaning for your safety. Check it out. You won't be disappointed!

I would give this buffet less stars but the setting is so unique! The food was edible. Fried cod and prime rib we're outstanding! Sides were nothing unusual. Salmon unfortunately was not as good as I expected! They did have inside seating. Outside eating are pleasant and quaint but tables were filthy. Deserts were ordinary.

Nice, casual atmosphere. Salmon was good, but prime rib was like shoe leather, and the beer battered halibut was heavy with no flavor.

The Salmon Bake used to be an extraordinary value and experience in Fairbanks. The all you can eat buffet for $37, less for Alaskan residents, was a welcome summer dining experience. This season the Salmon Bake opted to move to a traditional restaurant pricing (i.e. no longer a buffet) and they now charge $29.95 for a single salmon fillet. Needless to say, I will never return to the Salmon Bake. COVID restrictions have been lifted, there is no excuse for this massive price jump. You've been warned.

Oh how cool! I am visiting from south Alabama and came for the crab but stayed for literally everything else! Max waited on me and my friend Jan while we were there and he was awesome! Every single item we tried was fantastic! So glad we found this treasure!

This was the BEST restaurant I ate at while in AK. Loved the atmosphere, it was a beautiful day so we sat outside. The salmon was great, beer battered cod even better and the potatoes were amazing! Only complaint would be the macaroni was a little eh but we showed up at the end of the day so that's to be expected. The price (for military) was $30 for ALL YOU CAN EAT. Definitely add this to your list of places to visit while in Fairbanks!

Food was incredible! Foliage and decor was very woodsy and Alaska-feel! The dinner visit was a great experience. The only reason I wouldn't give it a perfect "5" is because the dining area cleanliness was lacking and I had to shuffle around to find condiment bottles that weren't empty--when there was unoccupied wait staff standing around. This place could be a great attraction! I would return if I have the chance!

Really fun kitschy environment, lots of outdoor space and room to explore near pioneer park, and loved sharing the giant portions!

Dining in Alaska is expensive and this was a little pricey, but there was plenty to eat, Prime rib was tender and fried cod was very good. Ironically, the salmon was only adequate, but the salad bar and many sides make up for it. Lemonade, iced tea and coffee are included. Beer, soda and sangria available for extra. Desserts are included, but nothing exciting. However, the variety of coffees is entertaining. Friendly, fresh-faced staff. Go for a walk in Pioneer Park afterwards to work it off.

Okay, let me start this out by saying that yeah, I'm a vegetarian, so of course my thoughts on this place are a little biased. Why would a veghead go to an AYCE seafood buffet? I don't get it either. Stay with me here, though. I came here for dinner on my last night in Fairbanks with my mom and a close family friend, both of whom are avid meat eaters. We are all from Florida, and thusly can appreciate good seafood (well, I can look at it, I guess). This place seemed to be pretty popular, so we figured we should try it, right? Wrong. Bad, bad decision. We went through the travel desk at our hotel (mistake #1) - the dinner costed the other two in my party $50 a person, not including the crab. I had seen on the website that it was advertised as $35, so I thought this very odd. I know tourist season means higher prices, but this place is not even worth $35. I had looked at the menu online, and then called to see if there was any sort of vegetarian option. The girl I talked to was very friendly and willing to accommodate, and told me the vegetarian options offered, and that it'd be $20. That seemed reasonable, so off we went. First off, this place is super gimmicky. You walk through an old mine replica to get to the actual "restaurant", which is a series of open-air "cabins" and carts. It has a very Disney World feel to it, but in that cheesy overpriced-tourist-trap carts and shops way, not the magical happy-fun-time way. The salad bar is disappointing: bagged pre-mixed iceberg lettuce, grape tomatoes, chopped hard boiled egg, peas, shredded cheddar cheese, sunflower seeds, croutons, and dressing choice. There is also pasta salad (not vegetarian, although when I called, the girl said if they had advance notice, they could make a separate non-meat batch, which is nice), potato salad (meh), and roasted potatoes (which were actually pretty good). Aside from that, there are no other vegetable options. So you can have super basic water-salad and potatoes, with more potatoes. The desserts sounded really good online, but alas, it's very, very basic sheet cake. One frosted vanilla, one unfrosted, blueberry compote, strawberry-rhubarb compote, and "moose cake", which is chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, none of which were very impressive. My two companions said the meat options were pretty good, but definitely not good enough to have paid $35 or $50 for. The only redeeming quality I can find about this place is that all the staff I interacted with were quite friendly. So they've got that goin' for them, which is nice.

This was a great experience and well worth the price. The setting is great. All you can eat salmon, beer battered cod, and prime rib plus Salad bar was really good. We sat outdoors under the shade trees. The kids didn't care much for the mac n cheese or baked beans but the salad bar had some things they enjoyed in addition to the meats and fish. They even had hot dogs. There were brownies, cake, and fruit cobblers for dessert so something for everyone.

Keep in mind I'm a vegetarian when reading. There was NOTHING there for me. Even the salad had salmon in it. Oh wait, I am wrong. There was dessert (1 option) and rice... but then again you never know what was in the rice (chicken broth? seafood broth?). However, my companion who does eat meat/chicken/seafood did seem to enjoy his meal. However, the entertainment was fantastic! A silly banjo player/singer played music and made it all worthwhile.