Main Street Enid Brings Home Four Oklahoma Main Street Awards

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Oct 2
3 min read

Main Street Enid is proud to announce that our district was recognized with four top honors at the 2025 Oklahoma Main Street Awards. These awards celebrate community partnerships, creative initiatives, and the work being done to keep downtown Enid thriving.

Our Awards

Outstanding Community Engagement Effort – Downtown Tree Project with Whiterock Resources
Premier Partner – Leadership Greater Enid Class XXXII for the downtown speaker system installation
Best Community Engagement Campaign – Downtown Teen Program
Business of the Year – Leonardo’s Children’s Museum

Programs across the state competed in 24 award categories representing the “Four Points” of the Main Street Approach: Organization, Promotion, Economic Vitality, and Design. Winners were chosen by panels of outside judges, each assigned to review a specific point.

A Word from Our Director

“These awards are a true testament to the people and partnerships that make downtown Enid thrive,” said Natalie Rapp, executive director of Main Street Enid. “From teens leading their own events, to volunteers planting trees, to community leaders investing in infrastructure, and businesses like Leonardo’s inspiring generations — every winner reflects the creativity, hard work, and collaboration that define our district. We’re honored that our community’s efforts are recognized at the state level, and even more proud of the lasting impact these projects have right here at home.”

Why Our Programs Were Recognized

Leonardo’s Children’s Museum – Business of the Year

Leonardo’s earned the award for its decades of investment in downtown, from preserving and revitalizing its historic warehouse building to creating unforgettable family experiences. As the only children’s museum in Northwest Oklahoma, Leonardo’s:

Draws regional visitors, boosting downtown foot traffic.
Hosts beloved events like Back to School Bash, Motor Mania, and Nights of Lights.
Provides affordable, scholarship-supported programs through its nonprofit mission.
Serves as a cultural anchor, inspiring generations of Enid families.

Downtown Teen Program – Best Community Engagement Campaign

The Downtown Teen Program stood out statewide for giving local teens real ownership in planning and hosting downtown events. With mentorship from Main Street Enid, teens:

Organized concerts, a car show, and a Halloween contest during First Fridays.
Secured sponsorships and managed budgets themselves, learning leadership and fundraising skills.
Attracted large community participation, with 50+ cars at the first car show and hundreds of attendees.
Strengthened ties between youth, businesses, and families while adding fresh energy to downtown.

Austin Hazen was also recognized for being Main Street Enid’s Board Member of the year for being an exceptional leader, advocate, and supporter of the organization.

Leadership Greater Enid Class XXXII – Premier Partner

LGE Class XXXII partnered with Main Street Enid to install a state-of-the-art speaker system covering eight blocks of downtown. This project:

Solved a long-standing need for clear audio at downtown events.
Enhanced the atmosphere of First Fridays and holiday activities with music and announcements.
Strengthened infrastructure that will benefit downtown events for years to come.
Showed the power of civic leadership and collaboration in creating lasting improvements.

Downtown Tree Project with Whiterock Resources – Outstanding Community Engagement Effort

This project combined volunteer power and community pride to add greenery and shade to the district. Working with Whiterock Resources, Main Street Enid and volunteers planted trees downtown, improving aesthetics, providing environmental benefits, and creating a more welcoming atmosphere for everyone. Park Avenue Thrift provided the funds for this project, allowing the trees to be planted in the district.

Looking Ahead

These four awards highlight what makes Enid’s downtown special: collaboration, creativity, and a shared commitment to making our district stronger. From local teens stepping up as leaders, to civic organizations building infrastructure, to cultural institutions inspiring families, downtown Enid continues to grow as the heart of our community.

We’re proud to bring these awards home, but even prouder of the people behind them.