Carnival goes patriotic

Photo: Kate Bouey

Canada's 150th birthday next year will be at the forefront of Vernon Winter Carnival celebrations.

"With over 90 theme suggestions from the community, the board of directors had quite a task,” said Deb White, president of Vernon Winter Carnival. “The suggestions were wide-ranged, from pirates to zombies, Canada 150 to cartoons.”

In the end, directors decided on a salute to Canada. Vernon Winter Carnival Celebrates Canada’s 150th will be next year's theme.

“The theme will lend itself to a very patriotic atmosphere for the 10 days of the 57th Vernon Winter Carnival,” said White. “We look forward to begin planning with the new theme, and are we are always impressed with the ideas the community comes up with for their events.”

Carnival will take place Feb. 3-12, 2017.

White said this year's Mardi Gras-themed carnival “was a huge success.”

“We saw so many bright colourful and festive costumes and decorations. Attendance at all events was very satisfying.”

At a wrap up event Thursday evening, awards were handed out for the best of Carnival including:

• New Event winner — Pianographicus (Neil Erickson), 1st Runner Up — Burlesque on Bourbon Street (Paul Cousins)
• Event with Commercial Sponsor winner — Unwined Downtown (Hailey Rilkoff), 1st Runner Up — Thursday Mardi Party at Wings (Sherman Dahl)
• Adult Event winner — Mardi Party — Adult Dance (Jackson Mace), 1st Runner Up — Pianographicus (Neil Erickson)
• Family Event winner — Carnival for the Disabled (Evelyn Wendt), 1st Runner Up — Chili Cookoff (Hailey Rilkoff)
• Junior Event winner — Masked Characters (Stephanie Vollick), 1st Runner Up — Fancy Nancy Tea Party (Stephanie Vollick)
• Senior Event winner — Halina Street Mardi Gras Ball (Rosemary O’Neil), 1st Runner Up — Senior Jopo House Luncheon (Jack Gareb)
• Sporting Event winner — Polar Bear Swim (Bobbi-Jo Gordon), 1st Runner Up — Skating Party (Jessie Harms)
• Carnival Copy of the Year — Gerry Manley
• Jopo/Jopette of The Year — Colleen Heater
• Christel Cam Memorial Award for Best Parade Spirit — Dog ‘O’ Pogo Dog Agility Group
• Carnival Spirit Award (Vernon Winter Carnival Society Award) — Ruth McGrath Dance
• Jesse Ferguson Award — Joy Stratford

For those interested in hosting a Carnival event, sponsoring, volunteering or for more information on the 2017 Carnival, contact the Carnival office at 250-545-2236 or email [email protected].