Local News

_{Mayor and council in their winter games shirts. From left: From left to right: Councillor Juliette Cunningham, Councillor Bob Spiers, Mayor Robert Sawatzky, Councillor Brian Quiring, Councillor Mary-Jo O'Keefe, Councillor Catherine Lord, Councillor Patrick Nicol}With less than a week to go until the 2012 Vernon Winter Games, officials are busily preparing for the Opening Ceremony, a marquee event.

Games spokesperson Pete McIntyre says numerous performers and local celebs will be present for the Thursday, February 23^rd show at Wesbild Centre, with the pre-show starting at 6:15 p.m.

“The performers will include the Okanagan Rhythmic Gymnastic and Cirque Theatre Company, Accentz Dance Studio, The WLC-Tones Choir from WL Seaton Secondary and Brandon Schmore on keyboard,” says McIntyre.

Limited seating will be on a first come, first serve basis, McIntyre says.

“There will also be limited parking, so people should carpool or arrange to park at a different location,” he says.

Master of Ceremonies will be Global BC news anchor Randene Neill, who hails from Vernon.

Other festivities for the Opening Ceremony - beginning at 7:00 p.m. – include:

1149 athletes, 160 technical officials and 231 coaches are expected to take part in the February 23 to 26^th games events featuring 15 sports hosted at multiple venues in Vernon, Coldstream, Silver Star and Armstrong.