Window paintings. Interior decor. Costumes. Performances. Displays.
There was no shortage of decorations to view for the five judges tasked with finding the Vernon Winter Carnival’s Best Decorated Premises, sponsored by Nixon Wenger and Valley First.
A total of 18 businesses, clubs, and schools decorated their buildings, but one rose right to the top.
The grand champion was Venture Training.
“As soon as we walked in we were amazed,” said judge Curt Reimer from Valley First. “I loved the Price is Right painted entry and the Mario and Princess on the TV in the lobby.”
Added judge Kris Fuller, Carnival’s executive director, on some of the designs: “It was non-stop. There was a wall-size checker board, wall-size Pacman, giant Operation game, giant Snakes and Ladders, a Vernonopoly and even one participant dressed as The-Claw-Grab-A-Prize game herself. It was incredible.”
The Venture Training team worked on the Game-themed decor for months and their hard work paid off.
Fuller jokingly asked if they were available for hire for next year’s Carnival.
The other judges were Spring Marzorini and Lexie Chow, from Nixon Wenger, and Carnival director Jason Keis.
Other winners were Southward Medical Supplies for Best Non-Pro Window (runner up was City Dance Studio), Gerrys Downtowne Spectacle Shoppe for Best Window Display (runner up was 28th Avenue Homes – DA Center), Halina Activity Centre for Best Interior (Valley First was runner up), Kelly O’Bryan’s Restaurant for Best Pro Window (RBC Polson was runner up) and Raising Stars Preschool for Best Performance.
Heron Grove took runner up for Best Overall - they had a button from every year - while Nixon Wenger won the Consulting and Pro Services category, Knox Presbyterian Church won the Community Organization award, Little Miracles Preschool took the Childcare category, Vernon Flower Shop earned the Personal Services award, Corbett Office Plus won for Shop and Retail and Denny’s took Food, Beverage and Entertainment.
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