Residents

There are several large events held in the Village annually.  Beaver Valley May Days is a weekend long celebration organized by May Days Society and supported by the Village.  Activities include a parade, fireworks, Party in the Park, Citizen of the Year Award Presentation, children’s games, slo-pitch tourney, 5 and 10 km walk or run, bingo, hamburgers, hot dogs, beef on a bun and lots more treats.  This is a fun kick-off to summer for all ages!  

Canada Day does not pass unnoticed in Fruitvale!  We have been partnering with the Trail Kiwanis Club with their Canada Day celebration at the Beaver Creek Park in Waneta.

Candy Cane Lane is a Village of Fruitvale event that should not be missed.  Early in December, street vendors, extended shopping hours and discounts in our local businesses, free hot chocolate, hotdogs and a bonfire from our Fruitvale Firefighters, lighting of the Christmas Lights and, of course, a visit from Santa are all favourite draws.  The Jingle Express (free train rides sponsored by Columbia Power and several other local organizations, and provided by International Railroad Systems in exchange for perishable food items for the local Food Bank) sells out instantly.

Our Remembrance Day Ceremonies are well supported too!

A great number of social and community events take place in the community hall, put on by local organizations and service groups such as the Lions Club, Rotary International, Community Chest, BV Library, BV Parks and Recreation Services, BV Manor Society, etc.  These events provide for a varied social life for Village residents.

In 2013, Fruitvale was recognized by the Province as an Age Friendly community and continues to bring residents together at monthly luncheons, with subject-appropriate guest speakers, heightens Seniors’ awareness of common age-specific issues, dangers and opportunities, and arranges many age-friendly activities. The Age Friendly Steering Committee’s vision of keeping community seniors active, aware of age friendly events and services; and organizing, promoting and leading an age friendly assessment of the community has come to fruition. 

The CBT Community Directed Youth Funds (CDYF) is a program which supports services for youth ages 12 to 18 by providing regional areas with $100,000 over four years to increase activities, opportunities and services for youth in local communities.  In 2012, the Beaver Valley Youth Council was established and has remained highly active since.  The name has changed to the Beaver Valley Youth Club with a new co-ordinator and new ideas.  Self development is encouraged through the Leadership program.  The Job Readiness Program gives credit for all volunteer hours towards certificates such as Food Safe, babysitting courses, or other tickets as chosen by the Youth.  Beaver Valley Youth have most definitely became more engaged due to the inception of the CDYF program.

In July 2013, the Village received recognition from the Province for our work as a signatory to the Climate Action Charter.  We are now branded as a “green community.”

Of three possible levels of green communities, the Village has been awarded Level 2 recognition for being at the “Measurement” stage of Climate Charter responsibilities.  The Village was prepared to purchase carbon offsets and achieve Level 3 Carbon Neutrality; however, Carbon Neutral Kootenays recommended reserves for future carbon offset purchases be established instead.  The Village has set up this reserve and is hopeful there will be advancement with local carbon offset providers in the near future so we can receive the top distinction of a “Climate Action Community - Carbon Neutral 2014”.

The Village of Fruitvale has also received recognition from the BC Communities in Bloom judges as a "5-Bloom Community" in both 2010 and 2011. 

Flowers located at Redwood Drive Cul-de-sac in Fruitvale
All neighbours in the cul-de-sac contribute to the cost of the flowers, and Margaret Moore has planted and cared for the flowers each year.
2013 has been a beautiful year for the flowers in bloom!