The entire team and coaching staff were on hand at the Ramada Hotel as Silver presented senior coach Matthew Knights with a plaque to commemorate the occasion.
In return, Knights handed over a signed Essendon jumper to Silver.
It is the first time in Ballina's history an AFL club has been to the town, and the mayor said he could not have been happier.
"We are tickled pink Essendon has chosen Ballina for its community camp,'' he said.
"I can't see why Essendon couldn't become a de facto club of Ballina.''
The town has a population of 20,000 and is involved in a senior AFL competition with five teams.
After Knights answered questions about his early days as Bombers coach, AFL Northern Rivers spokesman Glenn Stotter also spoke of the significance of having Essendon in town for the next two days.
He said with the expansion of the AFL in the Gold Coast and northern NSW regions, it was important that Ballina capitalised on its success, despite currently being seen as trailing behind rugby league, rugby union, soccer and hockey in population.
While it was all smiles and goodwill at the official welcome, the weather has not been so kind.
Essendon had a training session planned for Fripp Oval this afternoon, to be followed by a community barbecue and autograph signing, but constant rain has forced it to be cancelled.
The Northern Rivers region has been under constant deluge and Fripp Oval has been closed.
Instead the players will be heading indoors to swim and do gym work before tonight's community forum.
