The Association des Francophones des Kootenays Ouest (AFKO) is holding its annual spring celebration Sugar Shack, Sunday at the Salmo Ski Hill.
“We'll have the traditional food; crepes, ham, baked beans, all with lots of maple syrup.” said AFKO representative, Karine Bégin.
“And of course we'll be making our famous maple taffy on the snow.”
Bégin explained that the recent warmer weather wouldn't affect the taffy making.
“We have a special table that is used and we can bring down snow from the ski hill to make it,” she said.
“In Quebec some people even keep frozen snow and make it in the summer.”
The event is the local Quebecois community's participation in the Quebec Sucre de Cabane, or sugaring off festival, celebrating the maple syrup harvest throughout eastern Canada and Quebec.
Bégin said that for the first time this year's festival will include a log sawing competition and door prizes, as well as DJ's playing traditional Quebecois music and a pre-election appearance by Nelson Creston MLA, Michelle Mungall.
“This is completely open to the public, you don't have to speak French to come out and have fun,” said Bégin.
“We've advertised around the West Kootenay and we usually get around 200 people. Maybe this year we'll get more.
“It should be lots of fun. People from Quebec love to sing and dance and eat,” she added.
Bégin advised people to come early because the food is served on a first come, first serve, cash only basis with the doors opening at noon.