The 65th Vernon Winter Carnival's theme is 'Back to the '80s' (photo by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

65th Vernon Winter Carnival

Vernon Winter Carnival parade to run on new route, over 100 events planned

Dec 3, 2024 | 11:31 AM

The Vernon Winter Carnival is ready to celebrate its 65th anniversary with its annual parade and over 100 events.

The carnival, which will run under the theme of “Back to the ’80s”, will run Feb. 7-16, 2025, with the parade of Feb. 8 taking floats down a new route.

The Vernon Winter Carnival Society said the route for the upcoming parade will go straight down 27th Street from 45th Avenue near the Husky Station to 32nd Avenue south of Beairsto Elementary.

The 1-miler run will also go down 27th Street ahead of the parade.

The Vernon Winter Carnival Parade will run on this new route on Feb. 8, 2025 (image courtesy of the VWC Society)

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The staging area will be on 27th Street between 48th and 45th Avenues, and the dismantling and off loading area will be from 32nd to 30th Avenues.

“Due to the growth of the city, the changes at the end of the parade route, with the inability to safely unload at the old Civic Memorial Arena parking lot since it has been revitalized into Civic Park, and the route blocking in our emergency responders, a change needed to happen,” the Society said in a release.

Parade goers were encouraged to park at the mall, as there’s plenty of space there for participants and spectators.

Additionally, the Vernon Winter Carnival Society said it had over 100 events planned for the 65th edition of the winter celebration, including 22 news ones such as:

The Society added many favourite events would also return for the upcoming Winter Carnival, such as the Predator Ridge Parka Party, Sip & Savour, Downtown Vernon Gold Rush, the 14th Vernon Carnival Blues Fest, and Family Fun Park and Fireworks.

“We are thrilled to see the return of many beloved Carnival traditions, such as the Snow Sculptures at Silver Star, the 52nd Annual Coca-Cola Classic Peewee Hockey Tournament, and the 64th Annual Carnival Parade, just to name a few,” executive Director of Vernon Winter Carnival, Lisa Fenyedi, said.

“We want to invite all community members to embrace winter and come ‘Back to the 80’s’ with us this February!”

Tickets for the events go on sale Friday, Dec. 6. Details on how to purchase tickets and more information about the events planned for the 65th Vernon Winter Carnival can be found at the VWC website.