Vernon Winter Carnival takes flight in Vernon

VERNON – The Vernon Winter Carnival is kicking off with a surprise show.

While the carnival officially starts Friday, Feb. 3, the North Okanagan Hot Air Balloon Society is sending a few balloons up today, Feb. 2, to get people excited for the event, spokesperson Mark Meaney says.

“If people in Vernon would like to look up in the sky at 1 p.m. today we should have four balloons doing a teaser flight,” he says.

What direction they’ll be flying in is unknown until they hit the sky, Meaney says.

Following today’s flight, the society will send another group of balloons into the air Friday morning, Feb. 3 around 9 a.m. They expect to have at least 10 balloons in the sky.

Then, Friday evening at 5:30 p.m., they will have a balloon glow in Polson Park. The event is free, but visitors are encouraged to bring a non-perishable item for the food bank.

The balloonists are hoping to fly again on Sunday, but windy weather may be an issue.

All flights are weather permitting.

Winter Carnival runs from Feb. 3 to Feb. 12 and this year’s theme is a celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday.

There are numerous family friendly events to take in, including the snow sculpture competition at Silver Star Mountain, free dance lessons and the Polar Bear Swim.

Go here for a full listing of events.

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