The 36th annual Nicola Valley Fall Fair starts in just two days, but organizers want locals to know that volunteers are welcome to help with setting up.

“We’ve been setting up for a good week already, so we’re about halfway through,” said the fair’s convener, Kathy Reimer, Wednesday.

The Nicola Valley Fall Fair is a Labour Day weekend mainstay in Merritt. The fair will be held at the Merritt fairground off of Lindley Creek Road, beside the Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo, also being held this weekend. It runs from noon until 8 p.m. on Saturday and from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

The Nicola Valley Fall Fair Association is responsible for fundraising, planning, and setting up the event throughout the year.

“There’s probably about 10 people. It’s a lot of work for 10 people,” says Reimer.

Hundreds of participants will submit well over a thousand items in a variety of categories for public display at the fair.

Final figures for the number of entrants and the total number of exhibits were not available as of press time. However, Reimer says that on average, between 300 and 400 people will enter items for display.

The exhibits will include large livestock like sheep and pigs and smaller animals like chickens and rabbits.

Artists and artisans will present photographs, fine arts, and crafts. Green thumbs can check out flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Baked and canned items will also be displayed.

Vendors will be on hand to sell their goods as well.

Asked if there are many new attractions at the fair, Reimer says most of the displays will be familiar sights to fairgoers.

“I don’t know if there’s anything that much different. We do have ladies selling linens and lace items, so that’s a new thing.”

The fair will close with the Nicola Valley Fall Fair Country Dance on Sunday evening.

Anyone interested in volunteering can simply drop by the fair or contact Reimer at 250-378-7270, she says.

“Even a couple of hours. Even an hour is wonderful.”

All of the events are open to all ages except for the dance, which is restricted to adults 19 years of age and older.

“It’s a wonderful place to spend a weekend,” says Reimer.