Shiver Me Timbers! Carnival Countdown Is On

Jan 10, 2019 | 1:25 PM

Lumby Mayor and RDNO chair Kevin Acton, Carnival’s Vicki Proulx, and a Captain Jack Sparrow lookalike, vice chair Martin von Holst, take part in Carnival’s Media Night (Facebook)

There is plenty of talk about ‘Skallywags’ and ‘Skurvy Dogs’ as the countdown to Vernon Winter Carnival gets underway.

The 59th annual mid-winter festival from Feb 1-10 has a pirates theme, which executive director Vicki Proulx says has been well received.

“Last night we had event organizers come out, and gave them a chance to talk about their own events to the media and a few other public figures. Everyone is super excited about the pirate theme. We didn’t even have to encourage people to say ‘Aaaarrrrggghh’ and ‘Ahoy,’ so that was really fun,” Proulx tells Beach Radio News.

Water Shut Off Response

Fruit Growers Association call for plan to support farmers amid water shortage

7h ago

42-Unit Project

Fees waived for new supportive housing project in Vernon

7h ago

Investigation underway

One person deceased after fire at North Okanagan farm

11h ago

Proulx says four events have already sold-out, with six more getting close.

There are no tickets left for Suds ‘n Cider, Unwined Downtown, Mother Daughter Tea, and Parka Party, while Snowshoe Tour has three tickets left.

She says there will 11 new events, many featuring the pirate theme.

“The Yacht Club has a new event, Pirates and Parrots. Valley Vocal Arts is doing A Pirate’s Cabaret, so a lot of really neat stuff. As well, Sovereign Lake has come on board and they’re doing three new events this year, all outdoors. That’s something we heard from people last year, is they would like to see more outdoor stuff happening,”adds Proulx.

Carnival organizers are also already looking forward to next year’s event, which will be the 60th annual.

“We’re so excited for it and we want people to think about it this year. So if you have a story to tell about carnival, if you have a collection of carnival buttons, sweaters or hats, or if there is an event you would like to see come back for the 60th anniversary, we’d love to hear about that,” says Proulx.

Proulx thanks their title sponsor, Valley First, who she says has been amazing.

by Corey Fischer