Aside from all the events and fun that Vernon Winter Carnival provides, a number of awards are handed out to recognize the community's winning spirit.
"Annually the Vernon Winter Carnival Society presents prestigious awards to well deserving recipients who have been instrumental in the growth of Carnival," said Lisa Fenyedi, executive director.
The Order of jopo is the highest honour that the Vernon Winter Carnival bestows, and this year it has been awarded in memory of Lynella Henke and dedicated to the Henke family of Vernon Teach and Learn.
Lynella, the wife and mother who started Vernon Teach and Learn, was taken by cancer last year, while the family also suffered the loss of one of the children Lynza.
An "incredible community supporter," Lynella always ensured her family's downtown business took part in Carnival, even after her death.
"Despite suffering a devastating loss this past year that was felt throughout our community, and having the knowledge that they would not be here for Carnival this year, they wanted to make sure everything was in order to continue the school poster contest as usual for their family," Carnival said. "And that they did!"
Multiple classes entered this year from all but one school throughout the Vernon School District.
Another major award is the Jessie Ferguson Memorial Trophy presented to a person or group in the community who has shown years of dedication to Carnival through support of events and/or volunteerism.
"The Vernon Elks have been dedicated to Carnival going all the way back to 1961, and their roots in the Vernon community run even deeper," Carnival said of the winners. "This group provides countless volunteer hours not only to Carnival but to many other community events throughout the year."
Thank you to each and every member of the Elks Lodge #45 for going above and beyond for Carnival!"
Three graduating students have also been awarded for their winning essays, earning them $1,000 scholarships.
Grade 12 W.L. Seaton students Natalie Melanson and Cole O'Conner and Clarence Fulton's Reid Williamson earned The Stor-It Place awards.
"We were thriled to see the response for the scholarship essays this year. And had so many amazing entries," Carnival said.
You can read the award-winning essays at .
Three local businesses came out on top for serving up mouth-watering recipes during the Chili Cook Off. Los Huesos won People's Choice while Nature's Fare captured the Spirit Award and Station BBQ earned the Judge's Choice.
Another notable trophy is the Christel Cam Parade Spirit Award, given to the entry contributing the most fun, enthusiasm, zeal and passion to the parade.
St. James School, with its E.T. entry into the Back to the '80s themed Carnival is the 2025 winner. The school also took home Best Overall Entry and won in the School category.
The Elks Lodge won Best Carnival Theme Entry with their float encompassing all things '80s.
Other parade winners are:
鈥� Vernon She Shed Society - Adventure, Humourous
鈥� Ghostbusters on Horseback - Animal
鈥� Belfor Property Restoration - Community Support Services
鈥� Teresa Durning - Community-Municipality
鈥� Vernon Elks - Community Clubs
鈥� Petawatts Auto Marine RV - Custome Vintage Vehicle
鈥� Vernon Comic Con - Cosplay
鈥� Rider Ventures - Cultural
鈥� Girl Guides of Canada - Junior
鈥� The Universal Group - Large Business
鈥� Vernon Girls Trumpet Band Alumni - Marching Band
鈥� Vernon Optometry - Medium Business
鈥� North Okanagan Hospice Society - Non-Profit Entry
鈥� Okanagan Valley Baptist Church - Mascot
鈥� Rise Gymnastics Academy - Sports Club
鈥� Stutters Restoration - Small Business
鈥� Armstrong Co-Op - Visual and Performing Arts
鈥� Sundance Martial Arts - Youth Team
鈥� Sea Cadets and Okanagan Navy - Youth Visual and Performing Arts
A number of local businesses and groups also took the '80s theme to a new level in the Best Decorated Contest.
The Grand Champion was Raising Stars Preschool (who also won in the Childcare category) while Valley First's Ghostbuster act earned Runner Up.
Other nods were given for Window Display - Venture Connections (runner up Corbett Office Equipment); Non-Professionally Painted - Co-operators Bracken Insurance (runner up Orchard Valley Retirement); Professionally Painted - RBC Polson (runner up Harwinder Sandhu MLA); Interior Decorations - Knox Presbyterian (runner up Heron Grove); Performance and Costumes - Valley First (runner up Pivot Point Learning Centre); Business and Consulting Services - Nixon Wenger; Community Organization - ACT and Lifeskills Program; Restaurant, Food, Beverage and Entertainment - Vernon Elks; Health and Personal Services - The Hamlets; Shopping and Specialty Retail - Vernon Flower Shop.
While these were the official winners, many other congratulations were offered to everyone who hosted events, purchased tickets or took part in all the free fun to be had Feb. 7-16.
One special mention goes to the Lemay twins, who were among the dozens of people who took the icy plunge into Okanagan Lake during the Polar Bear Swim.
The 65-year-olds held out the longest - sitting for more than six minutes in the zero degree water.
