Come rain or come shine, this weekend will be full of celebrations in Beaver Valley for the 102nd annual May Days event.
Tonight, the festivities kick off in Haines Park at 5 p.m. with the favourite hot dog extravaganza, the Liberty Foods loonie hot dog fundraiser.
Local vendors will also be on hand to serve it up hot from their mobile restaurants, including Confusion Taco, Skewers and Yogi Berri & Crepes.
“This year we have more food than ever before, which is all bought locally,” said David Chartres, chairman of the organizing committee.
“Our concession will be flipping burgers and the Beaver Valley Rotary Club is in charge of beef or sausage on a bun, a perennial favourite.”
At 7 p.m. in the Beaver Valley Curling Rink, this Citizen of the Year award will be presented to this year's recipients from the Beaver Valley Blooming Society.
Then, for a second year in a row, a 5-10 km family walk run begins at 8 p.m. in Haines Park and ends in the park, just before the fireworks begin at around 9:30 p.m.
“There are some serious runners, but the walk is meant to get all our Beaver Valley residents involved in May Days,” said David Chartres, chairman of the organizing equipment.
Saturday activities begin at 8 a.m. with the third annual May Days Antenna Trail hike, a must for the outdoor enthusiast and suitable for the family, said Chartres.
“Take your time to enjoy the views and sign in at the Flag Viewpoint to tell the world that you have reached the top.”
For those wishing to fill up on flapjacks and sausage, a pancake breakfast will be open from 8-11 a.m on Saturday and Sunday.
Next, the parade will begin at noon at the fire hall and travel on Columbia Gardens Road to the curling rink, followed by a luncheon hosted by the Fruitvale Christian Fellowship.
Worth noting, is the showcase of performing arts on Saturday, which will be opened by the Trail Pipe Band at 1 p.m. and extend into the evening, said organizer by Danielle Labelle.
Magicians and clowns will be mingling with the crowd while performances by local dancers, singers, and musicians will be held on the stage.
“We invite you to bring a lawn chair, enjoy a lunch from the vendors, and camp out for an afternoon of great entertainment,” added Labelle.
Another fun-filled venue,three-on-3 street hockey is back with teams of all ages as well as an adult division.
“This year we are trying something different,” said Chartres.
“Instead of getting teams to sign up, we are asking individuals to sign up instead, and we will create the teams from there.”
Entry is $10 per person and the organizers are promising lots of prizes and give-aways.
On Sunday the festivities continue with “Beaver Races.”
Squares will be sold by the Beaver Valley Scouting members for $2, and floated down Beaver Creek at 2 p.m.
The first block to pass the walkway bridge by the school will net a lucky winner $300.
Other events include a bocce tournament, and “geo-caching”; an activity which involves finding various objects hidden around greater Fruitvale through the use of a GPS device.
A full day of music is planned in Haines Park, which includes a jam session of local musicians including Kootenay Jack, Kollar, Rick Tayler and Stone Horse.
For venue information, call Chartres at 368-1148.
MAY DAY HIGH LIGHTS
Friday
1-3 p.m.-Seniors Luncheon at Beaver Valley Manor, Friends of the Library host a tea with baking
4-8 p.m.- Slo-pitch
5-7 p.m.-Liberty Foods hot dog event
7 p.m. Beaver Valley Citizen of the Year at the curling rink
7:45 p.m.-Registration for the Family walk-run
Dusk-Fireworks
Saturday
8 a.m.-Antenna Trail hike in Montrose
8-11 a.m.-Lion's Pancake Breakfast
8 a.m. to 6 p.m.-Beaver Valley Major Baseball Tournament
9:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.-Train ride leaves the pole yard to take passengers on a 45 minute ride to the bridge overlooking Beaver Falls. Reservations recommended. Call 367-9559.
Noon Parade starts at Fire Hall and travels to Columbia Gardens Road
1-8 p.m.-Entertainment in Haines Park
1-5 p.m.-Dirt Day, village equipment on display
7 p.m. Texas Hold'em Tournament in the curling rink, only 100 tickets for sale. Call 367-6543.
Sunday
8-11 a.m.-Lion's Pancake Breakfast
Noon Ladies Frying Pan Toss at Haines Park
Noon Bocce tournament in front of former middle school
2 p.m.-Beaver races, blocks float down Beaver Creek, $2
2 p.m.-Watermelon eating contest at Haines Park
1-8 p.m.-Jam session of local musicians on stage in Haines Park