Aila Boyd
aboyd@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Downtown Salem will once again transform into an open-air marketplace as Olde Salem Days celebrates its 45th year on Saturday, Sept. 13.
The annual arts and crafts festival will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will feature more than 300 exhibitors from across the United States. Admission is free, and parking with shuttle service will be available from the Salem Civic Center to downtown.
Food trucks, live music and family-friendly entertainment will be set up at the Salem Farmers Market, while car enthusiasts can enjoy the event’s auto show.
Held each year on the second Saturday in September, Olde Salem Days is considered one of the premier arts and crafts festivals in Southwest Virginia. Visitors can stroll through historic downtown, with its views of Roanoke College and landmarks such as Salem’s churches and civic buildings.
The festival is organized by the Rotary Club of Salem, whose members volunteer their time to stage the event. Proceeds are donated to local charities through the club’s philanthropic efforts.
