The future of Frosty the Snowman is uncertain after the huge blow-up decoration was evicted from a downtown Vernon sidewalk by City bylaw officers after residing in the same location in the lead up to Christmas for the past eight years.

Image Credit: FACEBOOK / Vernon Teach and Learn

In a serious case of bah humbug, Frosty the Snowman has been evicted from a downtown Vernon sidewalk after City officials deemed the 12-foot inflatable snowman wasn't welcome.

Frosty has been a regular appearance on the 30 Avenue sidewalk outside Vernon Teach and Learn each holiday season for the last eight years. However, yesterday, Dec. 12, two City of Vernon bylaw officers paid Frosty a visit and told store owner Lynella Henke he had to go.

"I was livid," Henke told iNFOnews.ca. "We're trying to bring the (Christmas) spirit to downtown and we get zapped."

Vernon Teach and Learn owner Lynella Henke stands in front of her downtown store near where Frosty the Snowman once stood. She's not happy she was told he had to go.

(BEN BULMER / iNFOnews.ca)

Henke said the roughly 12-foot tall inflatable snowman was attached to a lamp post outside the store, and a cable running into the building was securely covered with a carpet. The store owner said she'd done the same thing each year for the last eight years, and had not had any problems. The store even has a clause in it's $5-million insurance policy covering sidewalk attractions.

Henke said two bylaw officers arrived at the store yesterday and said Frosty had to go as he was too close to the parking metre. Henke pointed out there was "a good 36 inches" between Frosty and the metre. Different bylaw officers then told the toy store owner she needed a permit.

Calls to the City were made and messages left. Eventually, Henke was then told there was no permit available for Frosty. Henke described communication with the City as "a gong show."

At the end of the day the cord was pulled on Frosty and the deflated snowman was brought inside.

Today, while standing outside the store, a passerby called out "bring back Frosty."

And it appears it may happen.

City of Vernon spokesperson Christy Poirer said there had been some "miscommunication" with the store owners, and the City was now working to get things rectified.

Poirer said there were concerns Frosty may have been a tripping hazard and also did not have a permit. Contrary to what Henke was previously told, a permit is available Poirer said and reiterated there was some "miscommunication" the day before.

"We're hoping to see him return to the front of the store," Poirer said.

Currently, Frosty's return to the sidewalk still remains to be seen.

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