This brand new event, a hike up Kootenay Columbia Trail Society’s Antenna Trail is a must for the outdoor enthusiast: a couple of hours of gorgeous Kootenay scenery. It’s a moderate hike with some steep sections, but suitable for the family. Take your time enjoy the views and sign in at the Flag Viewpoint to tell your fellow hikers you have reached the top. Meet at the trail head in Montrose at 12^th Avenue and 4^th Street, for a 1:30 pm kick off; be a few minutes early. For more information phone Art at 250 367 7504. Don’t forget your camera!

The beer garden is located in the covered area near the concession and Haines Park ball field. Beer, coolers and maybe even a glass of wine can be purchased and enjoyed, rain or shine. No minors are allowed within the fenced area.

Buy a square on the beaver board, watch the numbers float down Beaver Creek and the first one pulled from the water is the winner of up to $300.

Ever popular bingo is back. See your numbers come up at the Beaver Valley Curling Rink, on 29 May Saturday, 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm. Cards are 2 for 25 cents, 19 years and over. Winners receive cash payouts based on sales. For more information call Bob at 250 367-7603.

Participants wanted for fun tournament. This social event with two-person teams is made up of men, women or children in any combination. A modest entry fee will be charged and distributed to winners in two or three events. The bocce tournament will be held Creekside Park. The bocce tournament will start at 1:00 pm Sunday, May 30. For information call Dave at 250-367-6166

Who will it be this year? Be at the park Friday night at 6:00 to help a very worthy person celebrate his/her achievement. A reception will follow at the curling rink.

This year on Saturday we’re setting up a 5-kilometre route starting and finishing at Creekside Park for a family fun-run/walk. Bring your strollers, dogs on a leash and hopes for a warm sunny morning. Register and warm-up at 8:30 am for a 9:00 am start and you should be back in time to catch the Pancake Breakfast. We’re going to set up a refreshment check at the half-way point.

The local volunteer fire department members will be cooking up a storm at the concession from 11:15am-5:00pm Saturday and Sunday. Nothing tastes better than burgers in the park.

Our Friday night fireworks demonstration is one of the best in the area. Come about 6:00 pm  for a hot dog and soft drink for a toonie, see who is selected as citizen of the year then at about 9:30 pm enjoy this dazzling fireworks event. Glo-sticks will be sold on site.

After last years last year’s success, the community garage sales will be back, from 9:00 am till close. Local artisans are encouraged to put their wares up for display.

Buyers: Please check back often. The closer it gets to May Days, the more entries there will be. Happy Garage Sailing!

Sellers: The advertised and recommended start time is 9:00 am, Saturday, May 29. If you want to participate, you can phone your address in to Marilyn @ 250-367-9285. There is NO CHARGE for using the program. Your garage sale and Art Walk addresses will then be publicized on this website.

The classic cars the kids love to ride will move to a new location in Beaver Valley Arena both Saturday and Sunday. The price of the Kiddie car rides will be included in the Carnival Passport.

Saturday, May 29 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm is the day for kids. We’ll be in the arena again this year with our imagination station, face-painting, a clown, a large inflatable climbing gym, mini-carnival (see below) and back by popular demand, beaver tails and cotton candy. Thank you, Teck, Trail Operations for your sponsorship. It’s fitting for you to be involved with our children, the future of our area.

Carnival stations located in the arena will include basketball toss, fish pond, softball toss, pop-the-balloon and more. When you enter the carnival, buy a passport and bag for $4.00. Collect a prize and have your passport stamped as you travel to each station. Thank you Fortis, for sponsoring this event. We’re proud to have you with us.

Also on Saturday at Haines Park we plan to let the kids run wild. Well, organized wild. We’ve organized different races for kids of all ages. Just show up at 1:30 p.m. and let your kids run wild. There will be prizes during the event.

Friday night glo sticks at Haines Park and Saturday glo-sticks, novelties and balloons will be for sale at the Kids’ carnival in the Beaver Valley Arena.

As we’ve done every year, the Beaver Valley Recreation Department will be serving a hot dog and soft drink for a toonie. We’ve partnered with Liberty Foods, who is co-sponsoring the event along with City Bakery and a Canadian food supplier to keep this event affordable. This and other concession items will be available from about 5:00 pm. Enjoy a hot dog and a soft drink, stay for the Citizen of the Year award and then watch the dazzling Columbia Power Fireworks!

VENDORS WANTED: To participate in the market during May Days. For more information, contact us online at bvmaydays(at)gmail.com or call Dyan Miller at 250-367-9559. (9:00am to 4:00pm May 29).

Saturday and Sunday mornings from 8:00 am to 11:00 am our Beaver Valley Nursery School cooks are up early to grill you a fantastic breakfast of pancakes and sausages.

Every year we try to make our parade a little bigger and a little better. This year will be no exception. Mingle or bring your lawn chair at noon Saturday, May 29, anywhere between downtown and Haines Park on Columbia Gardens Road. Cheer on our neighbours and visitors from surrounding communities as they roll by. Children in the Parade, either in costume, on a decorated bike or on a float, are eligible for a prize draw. Plus there will be ribbons in six categories for the parade entries.  For information on being a parade participant, call Larry Gray at 250 367 0117.

After 2009 success, Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament is back by popular demand! It will be held at the Beaver Valley Curling Rink 8:00 pm on Friday ($40 entry) and 7:00 pm Saturday ($40 entry). Make sure you register early as it will fill up quickly. Register at bvmaydays(at)gmail.com or for more information call Al at 250-367-6543.

The ever-popular Rotary barbecue will be cooking up a storm  from 10:30am to about 4:00pm Saturday and 10:30am to 4:00pm Sunday. Juicy sliced beef on a bun or sizzling sausage on a bun with relishes galore is the faire at this booth.

The Friends of the Library hosts a tea for the seniors of the Beaver Valley Manor between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm on Friday May 28. They serve sweets, fruit platters, tea and coffee which is very much appreciated by the residents of the Manor.

Bring your boards and come and see The Black Russian Professional Skate Team and enjoy the local band Speak of the Unknown at Montrose’s skate park Sunday 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Help support the YCDC Youth Centre’s skate park committee.

Again this year in addition to the high-action competitive tournament you’re used to at May Days we are adding a tournament for business or family-oriented teams just out for fun. Register at bvmaydays(at)gmail.com or for more information call Dave at 250 367 6166. The tournaments will be hosted on all three days, 28, 29 and 30 May.

Is your passion music? If you answered yes, then Streetfest is definitely for you! It’s a huge party downtown in Fruitvale, and provides the community with a great opportunity to visit with friends and neighbors. There will be a talent show on the street, and local food vendors who can provide you with supper or snacks as well as some specialty items. It will be starting Saturday night at 5:30 pm, with the talent show at 6:00 pm, and then followed by a jam session with local musicians and an opportunity to kick up your heels and dance. At the talent show, anybody can participate, but pre registration is necessary.  For more information or to register, please call Aleen at 250 367-0117 or email aleen(at)xplornet.com before May 17.

(Please make sure you register)

Experience a taste of Canada’s past with a ride in a wonderfully restored 1950’s dining car and engine. This piece of history is owned and operated by International Reload Systems which operates on a Burlington Northern spur running from the Waneta Border to Fruitvale BC.

The popular train ride starts at The Market in the Pole Yard Lane and takes passengers on a 30-minute ride to the bridge over-looking Beaver Falls and back. This year the first train departs on Saturday at 8:00am and then every 45 minutes, the last ride returns at 11:45am. The train follows the same track that brought the first residents to Fruitvale and surrounding area from Nelson. The train follows Beaver Creek until it reaches a trestle crossing a dramatic water fall, a breath-taking experience and well worth the trip. Don’t forget your camera! Larger groups can book with Dyan, 250 367-9559.

This is a popular event so please arrive early to be guaranteed a ride.