Photo: Castanet Staff

Ticket sales at the Vernon Winter Carnival office Friday.

Ticket sales for Vernon Winter Carnival events got off to a busy start on Friday.

Carnival society executive director Vicki Proulx says first-day sales have been "awesome."

Online ticket sales have been brisk all day, and there was lineup at the door of the carnival office when sales began at 9 a.m.

"The Parka Party at Predator Ridge is already sold out," says Proulx.

"Lots of other events are selling really well, tickets are going really quickly."

The 63rd annual carnival runs Feb. 3-12 at venues across the city. Its theme is carnival TV.

With pent up demand for entertainment events in the wake of two years of a scaled-down carnival due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Proulx encourages carnival-goers "to get in on it if they want tickets and want to attend any events."

She also warns the public that scammers have been posting the resale of bogus event tickets at discount prices on social media, including the sold-out Parka Party.

"We encourage people to buy their tickets through the carnival," said Proulx.

"Something like this has never happened before, it's discouraging."

Other events nearing full capacity include Sip & Savour and Cotton's Chocolates events The Chocolate Express and Carnival of Chocolate.

Tickets for the Reklaws concert at Kal Tire Place on Feb. 10 are also selling fast.