By Corey Fischer

Wind Grounds Carnival Balloons, But ‘Glow’ Still Going Ahead

Feb 9, 2018 | 11:15 AM

The hot air balloons were unable to get into the sky this morning for Vernon Winter Carnival.

Carnival chair Deb White says it was an issue with the weather.

“It was too windy for them to go up this morning. They tried. There will be a balloon glow tonight at Polson Park as scheduled, however there won’t be as many balloons because they can’t get here because of the roads,” says White.

There will be eight balloons in the glow, down from the 14 that had planned to attend.

The Trans Canada Highway has been closed east of Field and since Thursday due to heavy snow and the danger of avalanches.

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9h ago

Mid to High 30s

Heat warning issued for the Okanagan

10h ago

Hazy Skies

North Okanagan air quality declined as wildfire smoke settled in the valley

12h ago

It’s scheduled to open at noon today.

White says the balloon operators send a device into the air to determine how windy it is up high, which is what matters, not down at ground level.

White says there will be eight balloons taking part in the glow, which is from 5 to 7 pm in Polson Park.

“We’re not sure, depending on the weather, if it’s going to be a balloon glow or a balloon twinkle. A balloon glow means they will go up in the air just a bit. A twinkle means they are just going to stay on the ground,” White tells CJIB News.

White says the 58th annual Carnival In Wonderland, which ends Sunday, has gone “so smoothly” with lots of energy from everyone.

“The new events have gone off really, really well.”

White says 12 to 14 events have sold out over the week.

On the final weekend, events include Family Day in the Park at Polson Park from 11 am to 2 pm Saturday, and the Toonie and a Tin Community Skate at Kal Tire Place from 10 am to 2 pm Sunday.

Click here for more on the events.

Photo courtesy of Vernon Winter Carnival

by Corey Fischer