UPDATE: Virtual Canada Day celebration backed by Vernon council

May 26, 2020 | 10:21 AM

UPDATE

Vernon council has supported the North Okanagan Canada Day Society’s plan for a virtual celebration on July 1.

That will replace the usual event in Polson Park and the fireworks, which can’t proceed due to Covid-19.

Councillor Scott Anderson made a motion at the May 25 council meeting for staff to help develop a plan for video in time for the next council meeting.

The video of council members wishing everyone a Happy Canada Day, will be shown during the virtual event.

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Anderson commended the organizing committee for doing “an exemplary job.”

“This creative answer this year, we look forward to participating in it,” said Mayor Victor Cumming to committee president Dave Frost.

May 22

Vernon is joining the growing list of communities that won’t be holding a physical Canada Day event or fireworks this July 1 due to B.C.’s health and safety restrictions tied to the pandemic.

The North Okanagan Canada Day Society is still planning to hold a virtual celebration on that day including contests where people can submit pictures online to win prizes.

“The society will post the pictures onto their FB page and website as well as run a virtual Canada Day based on past events which will include posting Happy Canada Day greetings from businesses, council members, performers and federal representatives,” said local organizing president Dave Frost. “Running highlight footage of the daytime shows and fireworks [and] conclude the day with a community noise making celebration at 9 p.m. to take the place of fireworks.”

Frost will be appearing before Vernon council Monday to get support for the alternate celebration, such as providing media releases about the event, decorating City Hall and Polson Park (large Canada Day flag), and providing a short video wishing the North Okanagan a Happy Canada Day.

Frost said their volunteer group worked “tirelessly” trying to come up with alternate solutions to still be able to hold an event if the restrictions were to be lifted in time, but the logistics were too great and the group did not want to put anyone at a possible exposure risk.

by Pete McIntyre

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