Vernon Winter Carnival saves the day

VERNON – Here to rescue you from February blues is the Vernon Winter Carnival.

The 54th annual event has a superhero theme this year and executive director Diana Williamson says it’s shaping up to be a fantastic 10 days of February fun.

“There are a lot of unique interpretations that are coming out of the theme. Superheroes aren’t just the ones with capes—firemen, policemen, moms, are all as far as we’re concerned true superheroes,” Williamson says. 

The theme is inspiring people to be heroes for their community. Save On Foods, together with the Upper Room Mission, will have ‘Soup-er-heroes’ pushing shopping carts in the carnival parade. Every can of donated Campbell’s soup will be matched by the company.

The 10 day event kicks off tonight with the proclamation and coronation of Queen Silver Star, her princesses, and Miss Congeniality at the Performing Arts Centre. Carnival favourites like the balloon fiesta, parade and ice sculpture competition are on the line-up this year as well as several new events like the Olympic Superhero Party Extravaganza, Superheroes Dodgeball Tourney and the Super Social Carnival Dance.

Longtime supporter of the Vernon Winter Carnival Patrick Nicol, who died last month after a long battle with cancer, will be honoured during the event.

“He’s going to be remembered in all the events he has been part of. Some of the speeches will ask for moment of silence for him…. He wouldn’t like to have the attention so we’re keeping it low key, but he’s in our hearts,” Williamson says.

With plenty of free events and something for everyone, the Winter Carnival at its core is about community.

“I love the community get-to-gether. I love the carnival, the excitement, just everything about it,” Williamson says.

Check the Vernon Winter Carnival website for a full run down of events.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infotelnews.ca, call (250)309-5230 or tweet @charhelston.