Invermere is hoping to have more going on in the district, particularly during the shoulder seasons in fall and spring and has hired a new events coordinator to that end.
New events coordinator Theresa Wood has already helped organize the recent Teddy Bear Picnic and the Sunday music downtown concerts in the triangular green space along 7th Avenue for the district since she started in the role in July. She’s got two events already planned for October, including a five-kilometre and 10-kilometre Hallowe’en run and an Oktoberfest.
“They’ve (district council and staff) wanted to have an Oktoberfest for a long time, so now we’re running with it,” said Ms. Wood, adding there will be mini-golf, music, a German food court and plenty of other fun at the event.
“Fall is a great season here — there’s no snow in the valley and the weather is perfect for events. It’s a great time,” she said.
The Hallowe’en run, which will be on Saturday, October 26th, will be chip-timed, but people will still need to wear costumes and there will be trick-or-treat food aid station along the course, according to Ms. Wood.
“You can run 10 kilometres and eat chocolates on the way,” she said.
Ms. Wood has lived in Invermere for seven years. She grew up in Fergus, Ontario, studied hotel and resort operations in college before moving to Lake Louise to work at the chateau. After a few years there, she decided to come to the valley.
“I love the mountains but I wanted to live in a town with a strong community,” she said.
After working at a number of places in the valley in a various roles (including Panorama, Radium Resort and volunteering for Wings Over the Rockies) Ms. Wood says she couldn’t be happier with her new job.
“I love it. It’s my dream job — I love planning events and having people come to them and have fun, it’s right up my alley,” said Ms. Wood, adding she’s worked with many committees in the valley during her time here.
“We were looking at what we could do to try and increase business in Invermere and at the same time offer residents a service,” Invermere mayor Gerry Taft had said when the district started looking for an events coordinator, adding council hoped the role would involve organizing one major event and several minor events each month.
“The events coordinator will support existing events (such as the Light Up Night, Santa Claus Parade and Visitor Appreciation Day) but we’re also hoping the coordinator will come with some ideas for new events,” Mr. Taft said.
Ideally, some of those new events will be in October or November, Mr. Taft had said, in a effort to draw visitors to the district (and to boost local businesses) at a time when Invermere is usually quiet.