The Village of Salmo is gearing up for their Fall Festival Oct. 16 and 17 with many activities going on in and around town celebrating the people and places that make it a great place to be.

The Salmo Valley Fall Festival (SVFF) is inviting locals and the surrounding community and encouraging people to ‘eat smart, get active and have fun’ in true Kootenay style.

“We want a celebration of our community, our strengths and promote what’s great about Salmo,” said fall festival co-ordinator Melanie Mobbs.

“There’s going to be so many things happening it should be a lot of fun.”

The good times kick off on Friday with a volunteer appreciation dinner and awards ceremony at the Salmo Legion from 5-7:30 p.m.

Corky Evans will be the guest speaker at the event that recognizes those in the area that are always giving their time and resources back to the community.

A Conversation Café will take place after the dinner and ceremonies at the legion inviting locals to give their two cents worth on how things are going in Salmo and what may lie ahead for the future of the village.

“I’m looking forward to being at the Conversation Café and hearing what people would like to see for Salmo,” said Ann Henderson, mayor of the village.

“The young people that come and contribute always give very interesting ideas.”

The party really gets started on Saturday with a ‘huge’ crafts and vendors’ fair at the Salmo Valley Youth and Community Centre with 60 vendors already on the bill, live local music and a quilt show on hand.

A walking tour of the town with activities and specials at local businesses will be happening throughout the day along with the Salmo Stream Keepers hosting a river walk with the Stream Team at Springboard Park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For the kids there will be story time at the Salmo Public Library at 11 a.m. and a kids craft table at the craft fair all day.

Boarders ought to bring their skateboards to the Skate Bowl at the community centre from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and show off their tricks at the skate jam.

An all ages hockey tournament will round out the jam-packed day at the tennis courts from noon-3p.m.

Be prepared for a full day of Kootenay fun for every one and find out why they call Salmo the ‘hub of the kootenays.”