This year’s Enterprise Gateway Jamboree went pretty much exactly how organizers had hoped it would.
Evellyn Coleman, organizer of the 25th Enterprise Gateway Jamboree, speaks with CKLB on Sunday. (James O’Connor/CKLB)
It was the 25th anniversary of the community festival, there was food, drink, music and about 1,000 people showed up. There was a long list of sponsors and support came from far and wide.
After that, there were some surprises.
Such as having more vendors show up than ever before, the temperature soaring to cautionary heights and thick smoke from wildfires wafting over the whole region on what was to be the final day. The free breakfast and church service were cancelled.
Last year, there was also a wildfire in the area, and the high winds battering the festival sight on the third day shifted, blowing flames right through the hamlet of 101 people.
Evellyn Coleman is the Hamlet of Enterprise’s events coordinator and the jamboree’s organizer.
“What I expected to happen turned out … we tried to keep it as simple as possible. Because you only have limited volunteers. So, the more you add, the more volunteers you have to have.
Dene entertainer Frank Fabian performs Saturday afternoon at the Enterprise Gateway Jamboree. (James O’Connor/CKLB)
“So, I think people have a special place in their heart for Enterprise, just for what we’ve done. And I think that showed through yesterday, lots of people.
“Okay, lots of people, you know, just want to come out and support I just want to be here for the people. Lots of hugs. So that was quite nice. It was just a pleasant day.”
Looking around the jamboree’s location on the ball diamond, there are many fewer trees and buildings than one year ago.
The population has also been sliced in half, to 50 residents, until cleanup ends and re-building can commence.
The wildfires of 2023 also kissed the border of Hay River and entered into Kátł’odeeche First Nation, both less than a half-hour drive from Enterprise.
After performing a set of classic country music on Saturday, Dene Elder Frankie Fabian recalled being evacuated one year earlier.
“I was worried. I was worried going out of here because they said the fire was coming to the road, and it was just dark. We went through and up to the border. That’s when the sun comes through.”
Fabian noted the First Nation has replaced 16 of 20 buildings lost to the fire and people are starting to move into them.
There are still some areas in Enterprise that haven’t been cleaned up after last year’s devastating wildfires. (James O’Connor/CKLB)
Alberta recording artist Duane Steele had folks up and dancing Friday night at the 25th Enterprise Jamboree. (James O’Connor/CKLB)
Chairs were provided for the crowd at the beer gardens Friday night at Enterprise Gateway Jamboree. (James O’Connor/CKLB)
A young person enjoys a cool treat in Saturday’s heat wave at Enterprise Gateway Jamboree. (James O’Connor/CKLB)
Hay River town Coun. Linda Duford performs Saturday afternoon at the Enterprise Gateway Jamboree. (James O’Connor/CKLB)
