Vernon museum hosting online '80s party for Winter Carnival

Photo: Contributed

Vernon's museum is bringing back spandex, big hair and maybe even a mullet or two for Vernon Winter Carnival.

The 'To the Max '80s' Party will be held Feb. 4, online.

“We spent a lot of time reminiscing while we planned the event,” said program co-ordinatorAmy Timleck. “The '80s was all about excess, and we were excited to bring it back for an awesome night of dancing, music and maybe even a Long Island iced tea or two.”

With the uncertainty of how public health orders might look in February, the museum decided, for the safety of staff and attendees, it would take the event online and shift to a more family-focused activity.

Tanya Lipscomb, a.k.a. Kiki the Eco Elf, a well-known performer in the Okanagan, was eager to partner with the museum, and created an '80s-style sing-and-dance-along video families can watch from the safety of their homes.

“We’ve been getting really creative with the way that we engage our audiences these days,” said Lipscomb. “And while it doesn’t always look the way we had hoped, we’re finding some really amazing ways to take these events online and to completely reimagine the performance space.”

Tickets for the virtual event are $20 and will provide access to a digital performance that will be available throughout the entirety of carnival.

“We’re hoping that people will still dress up in their '80s best and show us their moves,” added Timleck. “We’re going to have prizes for best dressed because, really, what is the '80s without big hair and parachute pants?”

Tickets are available via the winter carnival website.