Thursday’s premiere of the film Blackway was a momentous occasion for Enderby and the North Okanagan.
More than 1,000 people jammed into the Starlight Drive-In to take in the launch of a movie that was not only filmed here, but celebrated its connections to the region.
Enderby-born Rick Dugdale and partner Daniel Petrie deserve significant praise for bringing their production to Enderby, Armstrong, Vernon and Lumby.
With a $5 million budget, the film directly benefited 60 to 70 local businesses, including restaurants and hotels. It also created jobs for 100 Okanagan residents.
And with Blackway now capturing the headlines and the star attraction of Anthony Hopkins, it’s likely other film studios will look towards the North Okanagan, which can only benefit our economy further.
But more importantly than the dollars and cents, Blackway has brought an entire community together.
A strong sense of pride in Enderby and the North Okanagan was evident Thursday as fans waited for the movie to hit the big screen. And there was no better example of that enthusiasm than the significant number of donations collected at the gate for the Enderby food bank.
We wish Dugdale and Petrie success with Blackway, which features the small town and natural landscape we all know and love.
Thank you for allowing the North Okanagan to be part of your vision and we look forward to seeing you again in the future.