Vernon councillor Teresa Durning had the task of saving longtime Vernon Winter Carnival volunteer and former event chair Doug Edgar a seat at the opening weekend VIP breakfast.

That seat was beside Coldstream mayor Ruth Hoyte.

Edgar had been chatting with Hoyte when Carnival executive director Kris Fuller stepped up to the microphone at the Vernon Recreation Centre and announced Edgar as the 2024 recipient of Carnival含羞草研究社檚 highest honour, the Order of jopo.

Edgar, who stands five-foot-five-inches tall, was presented his Order of jopo medal by Premier David Eby, who is six-foot-seven-inches tall. Eby stayed on the floor while Edgar hopped up on to a stage to be taller than the premier.

含羞草研究社淚 was talking to Ruth Hoyte and I heard my name called as winning the medal,含羞草研究社� said Edgar. 含羞草研究社淚 wasn含羞草研究社檛 expecting it all. I was totally surprised.含羞草研究社�

Edgar含羞草研究社檚 involvement with Carnival began when he and his wife, Sandy, moved 20 years ago to Vernon from Prince George, where Edgar had been a teacher. He started volunteering as jopo, the Carnival含羞草研究社檚 first and long-time mascot.

含羞草研究社淚t was fun going to the various events talking to people, and taking part in the parade, waving at the kids,含羞草研究社� he said.

He enjoyed being a judge in the Best Decorated Premises competitions, and also spent a lot of time in Carnival含羞草研究社檚 hoosegow (jail) around the North Okanagan when he became chair.

含羞草研究社淲e would be promoting Arrest the Best and we took part in parades in Vernon, Lumby, Falkland, Armstrong,含羞草研究社� said Edgar, Carnival chair in 2015. He and Sandy were very involved in community service in Prince George before moving to the North Okanagan.

When not helping out with Carnival, Edgar can be found on-stage at Vernon含羞草研究社檚 Powerhouse Theatre. He will be in the upcoming Powerhouse production, The Importance of Being Earnest, Feb. 21 to March 2.

Fuller was delighted to announce Edgar as the Order of jopo recipient.

含羞草研究社淗e含羞草研究社檚 been an amazing supporter of the Carnival and volunteered throughout many, many years,含羞草研究社� she said. 含羞草研究社淗e is also a well-known past chair who has shown tremendous community spirit and commitment.含羞草研究社�

The Order of jopo is the highest honour that the Vernon Winter Carnival can bestow. Through the City of Vernon, it has been presented to visiting dignitaries, long-time Carnival supporters, past chairs and honoured cities around the world.

Eby was also presented with a medal as a visiting dignitary.

The Carnival also announced Nor-Val Rentals owner Jim Clipperton as the winner of the Jesse Ferguson Memorial Trophy for his 含羞草研究社渉uge heart and dedication to Carnival.含羞草研究社�

含羞草研究社淗e hasn含羞草研究社檛 forgotten about his community and has been supporting the Carnival for many years,含羞草研究社� said Fuller. 含羞草研究社淭he machinery he has been providing us has always been needed.含羞草研究社�