TO)--Tens of thousands of people gathered in downtown Enid Friday night for the 29th annual Enid Lights Up the Plains celebration that culminated with the lighting of The One Christ Tree, the tallest fresh cut live Christmas tree in the country. Natalie Rapp, executive director of Main Street Enid, which organizes ELUTP, estimates this year’s event brought in more people than last year’s, which had around 30,000 attendees, to enjoy the festivities including the Parade of Lights. Kyle Williams, who sponsors the Christ Tree along with his wife Carol and their family, said he was speechless at the end of the night. Alan Clepper of KOFM and Scott Smith, with K-LOVE and Air1, emceed the tree-lighting ceremony. With the flip of a switch by Lighting Grand Marshal Ann Price just after 8:05 Friday night, the world’s tallest fresh-cut Christmas tree was lit. The tree features more than 20,000 blue, green, orange, pink, red and yellow lights, along with 10,000 ornaments. The evening culminated with a fireworks show. The Christ Tree will remain up and lighted through the first of the year, and will be the centerpiece for a number of activities over the next 40 days.
--00-- 28 Nov 22 8a
SG)--A new local support group for parents whose children are dealing with substance abuse will have its first meeting later this week. Youth & Family Services of North Central Oklahoma has partnered with Parents Helping Parents, whose mission is to provide education, resources, shared experiences, and support to parents whose children, no matter the age, are struggling with a substance use disorder. The Enid Chapter of Parents Helping Parents will hold its first support group meeting via Zoom at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, featuring a parent panel discussion, and participants will hear from parents who share in their struggle of parenting those with addictions. Support group meetings are free and open to all interested parents. Meetings will be held virtually at 6:00 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month. Those with questions or seeking more information can call (580) 233-7220.
--00-- 28 Nov 22 8a
LC)--An Enid native and businessman Judd Blevins plans to file as a candidate for the Ward 1 city commissioner seat once the filing period opens next month. Blevins is a fifth-generation Oklahoman whose family’s roots date back to claims staked in the 1893 Land Run. The Kremlin-Hillsdale graduate attended Northern Oklahoma College and received a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern Oklahoma State University. In 2007, Blevins deployed to Iraq with his U.S. Marine Corps unit. After being honorably discharged from the service, he returned to Enid to take over his family’s business, which continues to service the Enid area. For more information about Blevins’ campaign, visit https://www.BlevinsforWard1.com.
An Enid resident and retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel announced his intent to run for the Ward 2 city commissioner seat. Doug Boyle plans to file as a candidate for the Enid City Commission position once the filing period opens in December. In his announcement release, Boyle said “I was first stationed in Enid in 2002. After three tours in Iraq, I requested to be stationed at Vance Air Force Base and moved back in 2009. Our family chose Enid to raise our family and retire because there is nowhere else like it.” Over his 22 year career Boyle as U.S. Marine Corps pilot, before transitioning to the Air Force Reserve in 2014. He continues to support the mission at Vance as a civilian simulator instructor. For more information about Boyle’s campaign, visit https://www.BoyleforWard2.com.
The filing period for the Ward 1, Wards 2 and 5 and the office of mayor, begins at 8:00 a.m. Monday, Dec. 5, and ends at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7. The general election will be Feb. 14, 2023, and if no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes cast, a runoff election will take place April 4, 2023. The term for those elected will begin officially May 1, 2023.
--00--
CP)--The City of Enid Parks and Recreation will host “Christmas in the Park” at Meadowlake Park from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., one day only this year: Saturday, December 3rd.
Families will enjoy various craft and games, as well as have the opportunity to take photos with characters throughout the park.
- Craft: cookie decorating, ornament making, reindeer food, and toy making.
- Games: bean bag toss, bowling, can toss, ring hook, ring toss, and tic tac toe.
As part of the event, attendees will be able to support three charity drives hosted by Santa and his elves.
- Toys for Tots: drop-off new, unwrapped toys to be gifted to children in the community.
- Diaper Drive: diapers and pampers of all sizes to support families in the community. Distribution will be conducted by Community Development Support Association, Inc. (CDSA).
- Senior Drive: drop-off toiletries that will be gifted to senior citizens at several care facilities. (e.g. toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, shampoo, body wash, etc.)
The event is FREE for all ages, however, several of the Enid Kiwanis Club rides will also be open at the park for the kids to enjoy including, the toddler airplanes, toddler cars, carousel, Ferris Wheel, and the train ride! The Kiwanis rides will be for a small fee of $1 per ticket. Don’t miss out on this fun opportunity for the family!
|
Rides |
# of tickets |
|
Toddler Cars |
1 |
|
Toddler Airplanes |
1 |
|
Carousel |
2 |
|
Ferris Wheel |
2 |
|
Santa Train |
2 |
Meadowlake Park is located at 1200 West Rupe Avenue, Enid, OK 73701. For more info on the events, go to: Enid.org/ChristmasInThePark.
--00—
CG)--Tickets still are available for Junior Welfare League of Enid’s 19th annual Charity Gala. This year’s gala, themed “Havana Night,” will begin at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Stride Bank Center’s arena and will feature a plated dinner, live music from the band “Drive,” a cigar lounge and both silent and live auctions. All of the proceeds from the annual galas are given back to nonprofit organizations in the community, and this year’s beneficiaries are Hope Outreach Parenting Ministry, Bennie’s Barn and Enid Joint Recreation Triad. Individual tickets for the Charity Gala are $85, and tables seating eight people are available to purchase for $800. Tickets can be purchased online by either visiting “Junior Welfare League Charity Gala” on Facebook or https://jwlenid.com/charity-gala-2022.html, or by contacting Hendricks by emailing enidjwlgala@gmail.com.
--00—
