<I>Photos by Geoff Dills</I><BR>Closing out the Winterfest parade was Santa and his elves being pulled by a truck from the Enterprise Volunteer Fire Department.

Area residents attending the Enterprise Winterfest parade Saturday, Dec. 15, were surprised when the parade came racing down Main Street a tad early this year.

Instead of beginning at 6 p.m. as slated, the parade crossed River Street at Main Street ten minutes early due to a combination of watches being set incorrectly and the drivers winding their way from Cloverleaf Hall faster than normal, Michele Young, Enterprise City Administrator said. “People were so upset. They act like it was intentional.”

“It started 10 minutes early. We got to see it because we came early,” Stephanie Williams, of Joseph, said.

“We left our dinner on the table, left the Cincinnati (Bengals) game, and tried to make it here in time, but I guess we were too late,” Joni Lyman, who was visiting from Grangeville, said.

“We got here about 10 ’till so we saw the whole thing. Parker, (our son), loved it,” Enterprise resident Kathy Siebe said.

“Some people told me it started too early. Not everybody could see it because they weren’t here in time,” Wade Isley of Enterprise said.

“There’s a whole bunch of people down that way who will give you an earful: ‘Are you serious? We missed it?'” said Gary Stubblefield of Enterprise.

Sam Wade of Wade Ranch won first place in the judging of the parade entries, taking home $100.

Second place earned $75 for Reid and Lynda Kooch for their entry and third place went to Wallowa County Grain Growers with a prize of $50.

Young also announced the results of the Enterprise lighting contest.

In the commercial category, Deb’s Young Fashions took first place, earning $100. In the residential category, John and Jill Arbogast of 1003 SE First St. were first place winners, also winning $100. Second place prize of $75 was awarded Jim Clagg of Upper Residence St., and third place went to Mel Davis of 502 West Greenwood St. with a prize of $50.