Family fireside, family fun run, family movie night, family of the year — during the Salem Days celebration every year, the city puts all the focus on families.

“We strive to be diligent in making sure everything is family friendly,” said Jesicca Kallas, co-chair of Salem Days with her husband Matt. “It’s one of the great things we pride ourselves in.”

The annual celebration started in 1951, with the Lions Club hosting a breakfast at Knoll Park, which is where the event is still held, she said.

Fireside

Salem Days — this year’s theme is City of Superheroes — kicks off with the nondenominational fireside on Sunday, Aug. 7. The speaker is Hank Smith, who’s a seminary teacher, author and well-known youth speaker.

At the fireside, the city announces the recipients of the annual community service award and the family of the year award, as well as the parade grand marshal.

People and families are nominated (nominations are due on Aug. 2) for the community service and family awards, then the city council decides who will receive the awards.

“It’s typically families who give a lot of time to the community, volunteering through parks and rec, the ambulance and fire department,” Kallas said. “They’re always looking to help others. A lot of people who volunteer at the schools.”

Movie night

This year’s family movie night feature is “Zootopia.” The movie will be shown on the soccer field at the Loafer View Recreation Complex on Wednesday, Aug. 10, starting around 9 p.m. The movie is free, and so are the drinks, popcorn and glow sticks.

People should bring blankets or chairs.

Fun Run

Like some of the other events during Salem Days, the Family Fun Run starts and ends at Salem Pond on Saturday, Aug. 13. There will be raffle prizes for all ages and cash prizes for the male and female winner of each race as well as awards for the top three finishers in each age division.

Pageant and fireworks

The Salem Days celebration ends with a family-friendly pageant and a huge fireworks show.

There are some fun things planned for the pageant this year, Kallas said, with Salem celebrating its 130th birthday.

After the pageant ends, the fireworks show begins. “We’re known for our fireworks,” she said. “The mayor makes sure we go all out.”

For more information about Salem Days, go to http://www.salemcity.org/salem-days.htm.