Thousands attend the ever-popular Vernon Winter Carnival Parade

The fun began at the 63rd Annual Vernon Winter Carnival, and thousands turned out to see one of the hallmarks of the festivities, the annual parade through downtown Vernon.

The parade began at 12 p.m. Saturday on 43rd Avenue, traveling south on 27th Street, westbound on 30th Avenue past the Civic Plaza and the museum before heading north on 31st Street and closing. finish on 39th Avenue.

This year’s theme is Carnival TV and, fittingly, most of the floats in the parade were designed with a popular TV show in mind, from That 70s Show to the Flintstones to Scooby Doo.

Lots of kids enjoyed watching the floats go by, including Kallum Thor.

“Getting candy” was the highlight of the day, Thor said.

There’s still plenty of fun to be had as the winter carnival doesn’t end until February 12. This weekend, a snow sculpting contest is taking place at Silver Star Mountain and prizes will be awarded Sunday at noon.

Also at Silver Star Mountain this weekend is the 40th annual Over the Hill Downhill event, a recreational downhill ski race pitting individuals against teams of four to see who can get down the mountain the fastest.

Tonight, 8-11 p.m., live music at Lake City Casino, Match Eatery and Public House. Barry Wilson performs.

Carnival Days takes place at Historic O’Keefe Ranch from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, February 5. Royalty will be at the gazebo for photo ops, and you’ll get to meet the queen of the ranch as well as carnival mascots JoPo and JoPette.

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Brendan Shykora

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