The sun shone on Enterprise’s Summerfest celebration last weekend in more ways than one.

Not only was the sun-filled day the warmest of the season so far with temperatures in the 80s, but there was plenty to keep people busy and everyone was in a festive mood.

About 25 local merchants and business employees kicked off the event early Friday morning for a fun-only costume breakfast, with many following a 1950s and 60s theme, dressed in poodle skirts and tied-died shirts.

While participation was down some at both the Alder Slope Fun Run/Walk and Hoopfest – possibly because of the Oregon Mountain Cruise and other activities going on Saturday – participants reported a fine time.

Thirty-six entries made the Summerfest parade an enjoyable one, with a long procession of fire engines and other emergency vehicles from Enterprise, Joseph and Wallowa fire departments giving the procession an impressive finale. No one seemed to mind the water hoses wielded by Enterprise volunteers, with children even seeking out the cooling spray.

Parade grand marshal was beloved elementary music teacher Gail Swart, who smiled and waved graciously to all her fans. Another special guest was an Elvis impersonator who not only wowed Friday evening and Saturday audiences with his Elvis music at the OK Theatre, but was the driver in the theater’s entry in the bed race. The Chief Joseph Days court got into the spirit of the day, riding in poodle skirts, while the Wallowa County 4-H Court won the ’60s division award dressed as hippies in an old VW bug.

Other winners included: Judge’s Choice and Mounted Horse Entry, Umatilla County Fair Court; Horse Drawn, Chief Joseph Days stage-coach and outriders; commercial, Milligan Motors, kids in wagon; Community Group, Wallowa County OSU Master Gardeners; and Other, Nez Perce Fisheries.

The exciting bed race – which had no confirmed entries early in the week – ended up fielding four spirited teams, including a last minute entry from Toma’s restaurant, which came out victorious at the final finish line.

The first heat was between Range Rider and Toma’s (which borrowed a bed from Northwest Fencing), with Toma’s coming out on top. The second heat between Northwest Fencing and OK Theatre, went to the fencing company after Elvis and his bed-mates were disqualified for making an illegal turn. In the final heat, Toma’s (this time borrowing the disqualified theater bed, which was donated by Deb’s) outran Northwest Fence.

There was some question about whether Elvis and his team would be counted out because they had been confused and the turn wasn’t clearly marked, but in a ruling by Enterprise mayor Susan Roberts was officially disqualified. “They have to abide by the rules, as we all do,” she said.

There were activities going on in Enterprise all day, including a downtown Art Walk, health fair, sidewalk sales, a library book sale, and more.

In the evening, 113 steak dinners were served by the Enterprise Merchants Association at a barbecue in Enterprise City Park.

“Everyone seemed to think it was very successful,” said association president Lee Bollman. “The merchants seemed to think there were more sales on Friday than Saturday, but there was a lot of walk-in traffic and more exposure for their businesses.”