Since 1961, the Vernon Winter Carnival Parade has been the heart of our festival, a tradition carrying on from the very first Winter Carnival held on Long Lake (now Kalamalka Lake) in 1893. Over the decades, the parade has given us some of our most beloved traditions: the Vernon Girls’ Trumpet Band marched in every parade from 1961 until 2009, and our jester Jopo, named by 12-year-old Tina Wunderli in a community contest and joined by Jopette in 1967, has been bringing smiles to the route ever since. Today, thousands of spectators line 27th Street every year as floats bring each Carnival theme to life, from giant boom boxes during Back to the ’80s to Special Olympics athletes leading the way for Team Carnival – Canada Goes for Gold. In 2027, we’re heading into the cosmos, and we can’t wait to see what you launch down 27th Street!
