Vernon Winter Carnival Society executive director, Vicki Proulx, in advance of the 63rd annual Vernon Winter Carnival, which has the theme Carnival TV (photo by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

Carnival TV

Vernon Winter Carnival kicks off Friday

Feb 3, 2023 | 5:15 AM

Ten days of winter fun kicks off today (Feb.3).

Vernon Winter Carnival has more than 100 activities and events planned until Sunday, Feb. 12.

“We are just over the moon,” Vicki Proulx, executive director for the Vernon Winter Carnival Society, told Vernon Matters.

“We can feel the excitement around town. We are so, so happy to see the community so involved and there’s tons of stuff to do for all ages and we’re just so thrilled to have a normal carnival returning this year.”

The full schedule of events can be found here.

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The theme of the 63rd annual festival is Carnival TV.

“The theme this year is Carnival TV and we are over the moon excited to see all the best decorated businesses and the parade floats are going to be amazing this year,” Proulx said.

“The parade is this Saturday, Feb. 4, and the floats are going to be incredible. The community has really jumped on board with the theme, adopted their favourite TV shows, their favourite TV characters and we’re super excited to see all the floats and lots of costumes as well.”

Proulx noted the parade route has been changed for this year’s event at the request of the City of Vernon, allowing people to access the parade while not forcing the closure of the transit exchange downtown.

“It’s just slightly different, just a few more twists and turns through the downtown core, but the spirit of the parade is always the same: bringing our community together and having fun.”

The carnival is back to full scale after two years of restrictions under the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I think you can just really feel the excitement this year. We were so happy to be able to do things in the past two years and present something to the community, but really it’s so much different having this real full carnival.

“You can feel the excitement. It’s just different to have these favorite events returning.”

Among the “favorite events” making a return post-restrictions are the large parties, such as Sip and Savour at the Vernon Lodge Friday, Feb. 3, and the Park Party at Predator Ridge Saturday, Feb. 4.

Along with being back to full operations, there are some new activities and events people can look forward to participating or witnessing.

“There’s tons of new events happening this year. There’s the Happy Days Soc Hop Feb. 9 at the Vernon Lodge; there’s lots of fun TV themed events with the Okanagan Science Centre and with the library as well,” Proulx stated.

“We have a Cartoon Party, cartoons and cereal Saturday morning party happening at the Elks Lodge Feb. 11. And we’re super excited as well to be having our Celebration of Culture this Saturday (Feb. 4) at the Vernon Rec Centre.”

Proulx added the new big event this year will be the Snowglobe Concert at Kal Tire Place Feb. 10.

“We are so excited to be bringing a concert to Kal Tire Place! It hasn’t happened in over five years,” Proulx told Vernon Matters.

“The Reklaws (the headliner) are an amazing Canadian country duo. We also have Ashley Cook, who is an up-and-coming country music star who is absolutely blowing up in the U.S. right now, and Michael Daniels opening as well.

“It’s going to be an amazing night, so much fun, we’re so happy that we have the chance to have a live concert happening in Vernon and it’s just going to open the door for more live music to come to our city as well. So let’s make sure that this concert is over the top, a huge party, and then we’ll see more live music coming to our community.”

Proulx added while there are events for people of all ages and persuasions, including many that are free, some events do require tickets and there have been a few where tickets have been going fast, such as the concert, and she encouraged people to get their tickets early.

She also noted the carnival society is continuing to work with the city in renting the arena and the other city owned properties and facilities, adding they appreciate that the City of Vernon is one of their partners.

“We are looking forward though to maybe improve some of the processes of the rentals for recreation services and, as always, we do a wrap up meeting with the city afterwards and rec services and give our feedback and I think this is a great opportunity this year to really give some serious feedback [as we’re] having some bigger events happening during carnival,” Proulx said.

“We’re always looking to improve. We just want to make the process better in the City of Vernon, not only for use, but for all of the non-profits who are renting these venues. So we look forward to working with the city to make that happen.”

Proulx added one of the key goals of the Winter Carnival Society is not only to foster community spirit but to also promote Vernon as a winter destination that benefits the local economy, which she hopes they accomplish again this year.

“We bring in close to $500,000 in economic revenue every year. We’re hoping to increase that this year,” said Proulx.

“We draw in lots of tourists to our city as well. We’re happy to be part of the tourism sector and contribute in a time when it’s usually slower for a lot of businesses. So we look forward to seeing visitors to our city. Please welcome them with open arms, and showcase Vernon for the winter playground that it is.”

Though mostly positive about how the carnival will roll out, Proulx did note there have been some complications.

Four events so far have been cancelled. The skating at Swan Lake, the Beer Can Beiner at Sovereign Lake, the Feather Fanciers Pigeon and Poultry Show and the Behind the Scenes Rookie Blues at O’Keefe Ranch have all been pulled.

She also noted the Vernon Winter Carnival Society could also use another 100 or so volunteers, mostly to ensure the concert and the Family Fun Park are well staffed.

People interested in volunteering can visit the Winter Carnival website or call the office at 250-545-2236.

Proulx added she is most looking forward to the Volunteer Appreciation event, as it is something they have not been able to do in the past two years and is an opportunity to thanks the volunteers from the community who ensure the events run smoothly and successfully.