Annual winter carnival underway this weekend in Vernon area
Opening weekend of annual carnival features pirate-themed parade, hot-air balloons
Vernon’s streets will be crawling with pirates, the sky full of hot-air balloons, and sculptures of snow will appear. It’s the kickoff weekend for the 10-day, 59th annual Vernon Winter Carnival.
Three of the carnival’s most popular events are packed into this first weekend to make sure the party starts with a bang.
Today’s parade downtown starts at noon and features a pirate theme. Expect lots of eye patches, swashbuckling, wooden legs and parrots on shoulders. Spectators are also encouraged to dress up.
All day today, spot colourful hot-air balloons over Vernon as the North Okanagan Hot Air Balloon Festival gets underway. The race is Sunday morning.
On Friday, individuals and teams carved snow sculptures at Silver Star Mountain Resort, and that event continues today. By Sunday morning, the creations will be finished and you can drop by to vote for the People’s Choice.
The sculptures will be around another week or two for viewing, depending on weather.
Over the weekend and during the week, there are dozens more carnival events ranging from a family-friendly Super Bowl party, beer garden, downhill and cross-country ski challenges and pub nights to skating parties, broomball and hockey tournaments and wine tasting.
Next weekend, the carnival will finish strong with the popular Polar Bear Swim, Vernon Vipers hockey game, a 10-kilometre run, chili cook-off and family pirate party.
Check out VernonWinterCarnival.com for a full list.