Pride of Kinston - Your Source for Downtown Information

Pride of Kinston is expanding its outdoor music series Sand in the Streets to sponsor a September Homegrown Music Festival spotlighting local talent.

On Thursday nights, beginning Sept. 9, 2010, Pride will present local musicians to a public which has strongly embraced Pearson Park concerts along the Neuse River. Homegrown concerts will begin at 5:30 pm, ending at 7:30 pm.

"We're like a business heeding its customers," according to Pride director Adrian King. "We have heard throughout the year that Sand in the Streets ought to go beyond its normal August conclusion."

"We've also heard that we ought to give local talent a better chance to be heard," he added. "The Homegrown Music Festival is our answer."

Pride's overriding objective for sponsoring the concerts is to expand opportunties for local residents and visitors to experience Kinston's downtown. "We like to think that our bands have added a lot of vitality to the downtown atmosphere. We know that they have attracted thousands to our center city."

The first concert will feature the ensemble Some Assembly Required which has performed for a variety of events throughout the region since 2001. The musicians are Rick Vernon, Jane Vernon, Randy Johnson, Ron Fletcher, Fred Antonowich, John Galog, Bill Hunneke and Steve Burkett.

A Business After Hours, beginning at 5:30 pm and hosted with the Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce, will be a feature of the first concert.

The Ray & Bobby Band spotlights two long-time friends – Ray Scott and Bobby Merritt – who have been playing music together since the 1970's. Ray & Bobby offers traditional and contemporary sounds of bluegrass, country rock, beach music, Jimmy Buffett and the Grateful Dead.

When Kinston-born Wes Hazelgrove took his electric guitar to college in 2007 to get a degree in English and Creative Writing, forming a band was nowhere on his list of things to do. But like so many, Wes found his college days at North Carolina State University to be transformational. Hooking up with four new friends—Kyle Spangler, Jeff Szezneyic-Pumarada, David Lamb and Byrd Davis—Wes and pals formed KinGator in October 2009.

No two KinGator shows are alike, instead offering heavy improvisation: classic rock and roll, funk beat and bass with jazz idioms, blues riffs, and psychedelic space.

The band STITCH gets its name from a errant kick ball which knocked out Tyler Rose's two front teeth, requiring 23 stitches. The group had not settled on a name when the April accident occurred. Somebody in jest said "why don't we call outselves 'Stitch.'" The name stuck. Tyler, Josh Tolar, Jacob Peoples, and Robby Burkett form the quartet offering a wide variety of sounds to please an audience.

The Homegrown Music Festival concerts are free to the public, intended to pay tribute to Lenoir County's homegrown talent, and sponsored to attract people to Kinston's downtown.

The Band of Oz Brings Out a Crowd

The largest crowd to attend a Sand in the Streets concert this year crowded into Pearson Park Thursday, Aug. 26, to swing and sway to the music of the Band of Oz—among the concert circuits' most popular groups.

Standing and sitting shoulder-to-shoulder, the crowd received the ensemble's music with applause and cheers throughout the nearly two-hour concert.

An extra thrill zipped through the crowd when Elvis Pressly (a.k.a. A.J. Outlaw) joined United Way leaders on stage at half-time to encourage support for the Greene-Lenoir County United Way annual fund drive.

The event sponsor for the night was R.A. Jeffreys Distributing Company which brought a truckload of giveaways to help celebrate the night. In addition to R.A. Jeffreys, the Title Sponsor Minges Bottling Group, Real Discount Drug Stores, the Free Press and TACC 9 were recognized from the stage along with a host of other sponsors.

CEMETERY ENTRANCE PLAN ADOPTED BY PRIDE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Pride of Kinston's Board of Directors has adopted a plan for the construction of a new entranceway into historic Maplewood-Cedar Grove-Hebrew cemeteries. Action was taken at the Board June 24, 2010 annual meeting.

The plan was executed by Brooke Jones in consultation with members of Pride's Design Committee headed by Sarah Weeks. Ms. Jones, a Kinston native, is studying at the College of Design at North Carolina State University. She has been a design consultant for the cemetery enhancement project since its inception in 2008.

A special initiative of Pride to beautify the South Queen entrance into Kinston, the project has earned a number of private investors.

What Is Pride of Kinston?

The mission of Pride of Kinston, Inc., established in 1984, is to lead downtown revitalization in Kinston using the Main Street approach developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which promotes economic development within the context of historic preservation.

Pride of Kinston is one of 57 Main Street communities in North Carolina in a program coordinated by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Community Assistance. (www.nccommerce.com). For more information about Pride of Kinston, see About Pride.


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Pride extends Sand in the Streets With the Homegrown Music Festival Pride of Kinston is expanding its outdoor music series Sand in the Streets to sponsor a September Homegrown Music Festival spotlighting local talent. On Thursday nights, beginning Sept. 9, 2010, Pride will present local musicians to a public which has strongly embraced Pearson Park concerts along the Neuse River. Homegrown concerts will begin at 5:30 pm, ending at 7:30 pm. "We're like a business heeding its customers," according to Pride director Adrian King. "We have heard throughout the year that Sand in the Streets ought to go beyond its normal August conclusion." "We've also heard that we ought to give local talent a better chance to be heard," he added. "The Homegrown Music Festival is our answer." Pride's overriding objective for sponsoring the concerts is to expand opportunties for local residents and visitors to experience Kinston's downtown. "We like to think that our bands have added a lot of vitality to the downtown atmosphere. We know that they have attracted thousands to our center city." September 9: Some Assembly Required The first concert will feature the ensemble Some Assembly Required which has performed for a variety of events throughout the region since 2001. The musicians are Rick Vernon, Jane Vernon, Randy Johnson, Ron Fletcher, Fred Antonowich, John Galog, Bill Hunneke and Steve Burkett. A Business After Hours, beginning at 5:30 pm and hosted with the Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce, will be a feature of the first concert. September 16: The Ray & Bobby Band The Ray & Bobby Band spotlights two long-time friends – Ray Scott and Bobby Merritt – who have been playing music together since the 1970's. Ray & Bobby offers traditional and contemporary sounds of bluegrass, country rock, beach music, Jimmy Buffett and the Grateful Dead. September 23: KinGator When Kinston-born Wes Hazelgrove took his electric guitar to college in 2007 to get a degree in English and Creative Writing, forming a band was nowhere on his list of things to do. But like so many, Wes found his college days at North Carolina State University to be transformational. Hooking up with four new friends—Kyle Spangler, Jeff Szezneyic-Pumarada, David Lamb and Byrd Davis—Wes and pals formed KinGator in October 2009. No two KinGator shows are alike, instead offering heavy improvisation: classic rock and roll, funk beat and bass with jazz idioms, blues riffs, and psychedelic space. September 30: STITCH The band STITCH gets its name from a errant kick ball which knocked out Tyler Rose's two front teeth, requiring 23 stitches. The group had not settled on a name when the April accident occurred. Somebody in jest said "why don't we call outselves 'Stitch.'" The name stuck. Tyler, Josh Tolar, Jacob Peoples, and Robby Burkett form the quartet offering a wide variety of sounds to please an audience. The Homegrown Music Festival concerts are free to the public, intended to pay tribute to Lenoir County's homegrown talent, and sponsored to attract people to Kinston's downtown. Read more about all the bands in this great new concert series... The Band of Oz Brings Out a Crowd The largest crowd to attend a Sand in the Streets concert this year crowded into Pearson Park Thursday, Aug. 26, to swing and sway to the music of the Band of Oz—among the concert circuits' most popular groups. Standing and sitting shoulder-to-shoulder, the crowd received the ensemble's music with applause and cheers throughout the nearly two-hour concert. An extra thrill zipped through the crowd when Elvis Pressly (a.k.a. A.J. Outlaw) joined United Way leaders on stage at half-time to encourage support for the Greene-Lenoir County United Way annual fund drive. The event sponsor for the night was R.A. Jeffreys Distributing Company which brought a truckload of giveaways to help celebrate the night. In addition to R.A. Jeffreys, the Title Sponsor Minges Bottling Group, Real Discount Drug Stores, the Free Press and TACC 9 were recognized from the stage along with a host of other sponsors. CEMETERY ENTRANCE PLAN ADOPTED BY PRIDE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Pride of Kinston's Board of Directors has adopted a plan for the construction of a new entranceway into historic Maplewood-Cedar Grove-Hebrew cemeteries. Action was taken at the Board June 24, 2010 annual meeting. The plan was executed by Brooke Jones in consultation with members of Pride's Design Committee headed by Sarah Weeks. Ms. Jones, a Kinston native, is studying at the College of Design at North Carolina State University. She has been a design consultant for the cemetery enhancement project since its inception in 2008. A special initiative of Pride to beautify the South Queen entrance into Kinston, the project has earned a number of private investors. Show your PRIDE! Order your Kinston license tag to display on the front of your automobiles. Click a plate to download a printable order form for the plate you want... What Is Pride of Kinston? The mission of Pride of Kinston, Inc., established in 1984, is to lead downtown revitalization in Kinston using the Main Street approach developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which promotes economic development within the context of historic preservation. Pride of Kinston is one of 57 Main Street communities in North Carolina in a program coordinated by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Community Assistance. (www.nccommerce.com). For more information about Pride of Kinston, see About Pride.	There's Always Something Going On in Downtown Kinston Upcoming Events... ~~July 29~~ Aug. 5: Sand in the Streets - Carolina Beach Club POSTPONED Due to heavy rain and flooding in the park. Rescheduled for next Thursday, August 5th. Click here for current calendar of upcoming events... Sand in the Streets 2010 Music fills the streets of Downtown Kinton. See and hear what you have to look forward to here... Run for the River 2011 The 6th Annual Kinston 8000 Run for the River March 26, 2011 Click here for 2010 results... Take Pride - Thursdays @ 7:30 Tune in to TACC 9 Thursdays at 7:30 as we highlight the businesses, people and places in downtown Kinston. From the Executive Director... Adrian King's comments on community investment... WNCT's "In Your Hometown" Visit's Kinston In Your Hometown: A Look at Kinston’s Past and Future by Amy Kibler Did you know? Kinston claims the first registered elevator in the state, designated Elevator No. 1 by the State of North Carolina. Find out more here... Kinston has a planetarium. Find out more here... Queen Street was paved with bricks in 1906. Kinston Weather Visit the Images of Kinston-Lenoir County Magazine Become a Fan of Pride of Kinston on Facebook
Home • History • In the News • Things to Do • Real Estate • About Pride Pride of Kinston • 327 North Queen Street • Kinston, NC 28501• (252) 522-4676 Located in the Kinston Enterprise Center Artist Bruce D. Ziegler has generously made available to Pride his portrait of downtown Kinston as signature for Pride's website.

Pride extends Sand in the Streets With the Homegrown Music Festival

The Band of Oz Brings Out a Crowd

CEMETERY ENTRANCE PLAN ADOPTED BY PRIDE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Show your PRIDE!

What Is Pride of Kinston?

Pride extends Sand in the Streets
With the Homegrown Music Festival