(BEN BULMER / iNFOnews.ca)

There will be more than 100 events at this year's Vernon Winter Carnival with a return of the popular parade.

The 62nd Vernon Winter Carnival starts Feb. 4 and runs for 10 days till Feb. 13, with events taking place throughout the city, at SilverStar Mountain Resort and virtually.

"Get out there and enjoy it," Vernon Winter Carnival executive director Vicki Proulx said. "Have snow much fun, and embrace winter."

The executive director said there are lots of outdoor events this year because of the pandemic and even some virtual ones.

This year, for the first time, the Winter Carnival will have a Winter Playground.

"We have ice slides up there for the kids, we have ice palace, we have a whole bunch of winter activities happening, hot chocolate, food vendors, (and) different entertainment every night," Proulx said. "All being lit up with lights, and our inflatable igloo bar for the adults."

On Friday after dark, the popular hot air Balloon Glow is back. This year it will be held at the Winter Playground at the DND grounds.

The Winter Playground will run every day throughout the festival with an individual day pass costing $15 or $35 for a family. Four-day and unlimited passes are also available.

Cancelled last year because of the pandemic, the popular Vernon Winter Carnival parade is back Saturday, Feb. 5. The parade is dedicated to first responders who will be leading the parade which follows its usual route starting on 27 Street at noon and heading downtown.

Many long-term festival event favourites are back, like Arrest the Best and the Chili Cook Off, along with a scavenger hunt and a virtual talent show.

Snow Sculpture Symposium returns to SilverStar Mountain Resort and sculptors will start carving ice, Feb. 4, before the public gets to vote at the People’s Choice Award, Feb. 6.

There's a wine and paint night at the Vernon Public Art Gallery and a local blues band Graham Ord is playing at the O'Keefe Ranch.

Along with ticketed events, there are also plenty of free events taking place.

"Vernon winter carnival has always been about bringing people to a shared experience, (and)... our community needs to come together right now and get out there and enjoy it," Proulx said. "It's a great way to get through these blah winter months that I think we're all feeling a little bit more than normal this year."

For more information, and to buy event tickets, check out the Vernon Winter Carnival website here.

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