Check your travel medical
New orca rescue attempt
Student's killer on parole
No bail in Ottawa killings 
Banks must say rebate 
Regulating power prices
Iran fires at attack drones 
World's largest election 
2 detained in Volkov attack 
Apple pulls apps from China
Oil and gas leases restricted
Indigo needs turnaround 
Warriors ready for Round 2
Kalamalka Bowl cancelled
Rockets live to fight on
Hilton teams up with Sia
Swift still 'can't forgive' Kim
Grimes to ‘cap the disarray’
They are a big part of Vernon Winter Carnival but the hot air balloons won't be marking the start of the festival in February.
Weather permitting, the balloons are usually in the air on the first weekend, a colourful reminder that the three-week festival is underway.
Not next year, said Jerry Brassard, president of the North Okanagan Hot Air Balloon Society.
Instead the balloons will start flying on the Family Day weekend, Feb. 10-12, a week after Carnival begins.
“The general consensus from pilots was that it would work better the following weekend, not when it opens up so the festival will fall in with Family Day.”
When asked if the weather would be better the following weekend, Brassard admitted balloonists could never depend upon the weather. Rather, they would just hope it was good.
Brassard said the balloon festival is still considered a Carnival event but members are going after separate sponsorship and have applied for various grants.
