"Time to Shine"

So yesterday here in Vernon we celebrated the opening of the Greater Vernon 2012 BC Winter Games! We had many dignitaries in attendance including the Premier Christy Clark and Ida Chong Ministry of Community Sport, and Cultural Development! But I think the true dignitaries were the hundreds of athletes that arrived by the busload! Around 30 buses full of young athletes arrived at the Wesbild Centre some traveling as far away as Northern BC and some just coming from as close as Kelowna. Last night was the opening ceremonies and all the colours of the regions poured like a rainbow on  to the covered ice surface excited and exhausted waiting for the ceremony and finally the lighting of the torch. Many of the athletes had a long day but they were so excited and full of anticipation it was contagious!

After a good night’s sleep the kids all were all transported for a healthy breakfast at the Vernon Recreation Centre and headed out to competition with their boxed lunches in hand. With great snow conditions at the Silver Star Mountain and mild weather in the valley bottom its perfect for a enjoyable Winter Games for all. Many parents have arrived and families are here to cheer on athletes from their communities.

With the games going on until Sunday February 26th we really hope everyone gets the chance to visit one of the many venues and cheer on the athletes. The closing ceremonies are open to the public and will take place at the Wesbild Centre from 1:30pm to 2:30pm on Sunday afternoon!

Vernon this is truly “Your Time to Shine”!

Welcome to Vernon BC Canada!

As the Vernon 2012 BC games get closer we are really feeling the excitement build! This morning we searched news articles online throughout the province and there are far too many to share. Many of the Tourism Vernon staff & volunteers are heavily involved in several of the events and proud to be able to assist! This is a very exciting time for us and everyone is really busy making sure we are able to be the best host City possible for such a special occasion.

There is an abundance of behind the scene activity preparation with over 2300 volunteers in various colours depending what role they are filling. Many of the people involved will be wearing green coats these are the hosts and many of their duties are just making people feel welcome and answering questions. All hosts have been supplied with manuals with information including phone lists, maps, role rules, emergency procedures and much more so we are prepared to answer all the questions. We really can’t wait to meet everyone and help make this a smooth and seamless event.

Schedule information as well as venue addresses and an online map can be found on the BC Winter Games Website at http://www.2012bcwintergames.ca/ . The Winter Games office will be open until 4:30pm on Friday February 24th so they are available for calls at 250.550.2012. The Vernon Visitor Centre will also be open until Friday at 4:30pm at 701 Highway 97 South or call 1-800-665-0795 with contact numbers on the voice mail if needed.
It is our hope that everyone that comes to Vernon has a stress free visit and is able to enjoy all that is happening. We are all cheering for the young athletes and can’t wait for their arrival here in Vernon BC!

Vernon it is our time to shine!

Our Time to Shine!

Well with the Vernon Winter Carnival behind us we are getting excited as the BC 2012 Winter Games are being hosted right here in Vernon BC! Visitors and competitors will start arriving on February 22nd and will stay here in Vernon at various locations throughout the City. The winter games are for youth from all over the province to come and compete for gold similar to the Olympics! The events are endless with over 15 registered including figure skating, female hockey and gymnastics. We will all do our part to assist and volunteer for this amazing event as well as cheer for all our favourites. We encourage everyone to make our visitors feel welcome and really make Vernon shine! If you have questions feel free to give the Winter Games office a call at 250-550-2012. Events are already scheduled so make them yours!

My Winter Carnival!

It is with great joy that I write today about one of the most amazing weeks I have had the pleasure of enjoying in Vernon BC.
Initially the week started out like a windstorm and with all the Winter Carnival events! I settled into Sunday at a much better pace! Vernon has some amazing dog parks even a women’s hiking group for dogs! I spend Sunday morning with my favourite furry friends getting some fresh air at the infamous BX Dog Park hiking! Sunday afternoon we drove to Silver Star Mountain resort for the Ice Sculpture Competition with plus 5 degree weather and sunshine Wow! Vernon was socked in for about 6 days with heavy fog so I really enjoyed the rays of happiness above the clouds. The Ice sculpture competition was the first I had ever seen I spend a tremendous amount of time just checking them out and getting photos before they melted you can see them at http://www.facebook.com/Tourism.Vernon. During this past week Carnival Events have run rampant broomball, skate parties, snowshoe tours and free dance lessons every day something fun to watch or participate in.
This weekend the Chilli Cook-off sold out Medieval Dinner Event and Canucks Rock as well as a planetarium Show and much more if you can squeeze it all in. As we wind down another year of Carnival! We will indeed remember the 52nd Annual Winter Carnival as one of the best. We really hope to see you all here for next year’s amazing event so make next year’s Vernon Winter Carnival Yours!

British Columbia's Best Winter Carnival!

http://www.tourismvernon.com/

What a great week to be in Vernon BC! Proclamation of the 52^nd Queen Silver Star was last night what a amazing event. Today the hot air balloons had a late start but got into the air around 1:00 pm what a great show that is. Tonight we will be attending a Coronation and the 20th Annual Hot Air Balloon Glow event its spectacular and a free event everyone can attend. Tomorrow and over the next week we will all make sure we wear are Carnival Buttons so we don’t get arrested by the Carnival Cops. The parade has just under 100 floats and is Saturday Feb 4 at noon. All the great event information can be found a www.vernonwintercarnival.com or call 250 -545-2236. Be sure to see the amazing ice sculptures at Silver Star Mountain over the weekend as well. The ice sculpture event was resurrected this year so everyone is excited about the giant pieces of art to be on display once again.

 If you had not planned to visit Vernon you might want to stop for a visit and check out one of the Best Winter Carnivals in British Columbia!