Vernon Winter Carnival, Silver Star events secure grants

Next year’s mid-winter festival in Vernon is getting support from the province.

The B.C. government has announced that the Vernon Winter Carnival will be among the approximately 100 beneficiaries of the Tourism Events Program.

The 2023 Winter Carnival will receive $15,000 in provincial funding.

Silver Star Mountain Resort will receive $10,225 to support the 2023 Share the Magic of Silver Star event, and $17,500 for the 2023 SilverStar Bike Fest.

“B.C.’s many sports competitions, arts festivals and events are vital to our tourism sector and a thriving economy,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport.

“This program allows organizers to raise awareness about their amazing events and inspires British Columbians and people from around the world to attend.”

The local funds are part of the larger $4.8-million being distributed to events throughout the province.

The other local recipients of this year’s funding are:

• Kelowna
  • 2023 Island Time Music Series ($35,000)
  • 2023 Gonzo Okanagan Music Industry Golf Tournament and Festival ($15,800)
  • 2023 Denim on the Diamond ($55,200).
• Big White
  • 2023 AltiTunes MusicFest ($65,600)
  • Welcome to Paradise – 2023 Para Snowboard World Cup ($11,664)
  • Freeride Days 2023 ($15,150)
• Penticton
  • 2023 Ignite the Arts Festival ($10,000)
  • 2023 Penticton Scottish Festival Society ($10,000)
• Salmon Arm
  • 31st Annual Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival and 6th Annual Super Crawl ($99,800)
• Sorrento
  • 2022 Nimble Fingers Bluegrass and Oldtime Workshop and Festival ($14,178)
• West Kelowna
  • 2023 Okanagan Indigenous Music and Arts Society ($10,000)

Additionally, a total of $10,220 will be provided for Expedition Canada 2023, which involve various locations in the Interior including Silver Star, Lake Country, West Kelowna and Penticton

The Tourism Events Program was not utilized in the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Launched in 2016, the program has provided more than $18-million to support 317 tourism-based events .