Dave Sullivan
Northern News Services

Fort Providence (Aug10/01) - It was important for bouncer Mike Leishman to remember the number 141 during Mackenzie Daze, last Saturday afternoon.

That's the capacity of Fort Providence's Snowshoe Lounge, and the liquor inspector was inside.

While the Tone Rangers belted out country tunes from a far wall, people in line crowded Leishman for a peek inside.

"I can't let any more in," he says apologetically, mentioning the inspector a second time. "It hasn't been filled in a long time. Only at Mackenzie Days. Each Mackenzie Daze it's like this in the afternoon, then they go to the dances."

The annual gathering attracted hundreds of visitors this year, who left behind many thousands of dollars. The event spawns some weekend entrepreneurs, including homeowners who set up barbecues on their front lawn and sold burgers.

The long weekend was a great chance for Judy Magrum and Nancy Bonnetrouge to jump-start their business. They displayed hand-made soft fur mittens in the arena Saturday afternoon, where a captive crowd of 350 vied for a $10,000 bingo jackpot, one of the weekend's highlights.

Fort Providence's largest private business hires an extra five people for Mackenzie Daze.

"It's busier than last year," says Beth Philipp. Her family owns the local hotel, bar and restaurant.

The Snowshoe restaurant and bar served about four times the usual number of customers, a welcome weekend in a town she says is experiencing a decline in economic activity. Her in-laws started with a motel in the '60s. Since then, the family entered into a partnership with aboriginal-owned Digaa Enterprises to operate the ferry, and built a shopping centre that sits empty.

Entertaining visitors with official events is a challenge. This year, organizers had to cope with rain, a cancelled strong-man competition and some ball teams that didn't show up. It was worse last year, when Mackenzie Daze almost didn't happen because of last-minute planning. People always come anyhow. Like other Northern gatherings, the most important thing seems to be the gathering part.

Better planning brought a lot more people out this year, according to Philipp and Mackenzie Daze co-ordinator Cliff McLeod.

More people also means more trouble, keeping police hopping. Forty-eight people were sent to the drunk tank over the long weekend. One serious incident was reported -- an assault with a broken beer bottle.

"The drinking got carried away. It was an all-out drunk-fest," says RCMP corporal Brian Bohlken.

All 62 complaints involved alcohol. The amount of crime over the one weekend is equivalent to total lawbreaking from January through August.

"There were quite a few fights, assaults and disturbances," Bohlken said. "We're concerned with the amount of alcohol.