Sand in the Streets bands attract large crowds

Neuseway Park becomes major downtown destination

The Band of Oz packed the park during its 2007 Sand in the Streets concert in Neuseway Park.

One of the main goals of Pride of Kinston's Sand in the Streets concert series is to bring people to downtown. The 2008 concert series has done just that... highlighting Neuseway Park on the bank of the Neuse River as a place to be on a summer Thursday night.

By all accounts, the largest crowd to attend a Sand in the Streets concert in its five-year history came in droves June 12, 2008 to hear Chairman of the Board. Well over a thousand concert goers, according to some estimates, crammed into Neuseway Park to revel in the band's special brand of beach music.

Jackie Gore of Jackie Gore and Legends of Beach chats with a fan during a break in the band's June 26, 2008 Sand in the Streets concert at Neuseway Park in downtown Kinston.

They came back June 26, 2008 to hear Jackie Gore & the Legends of Beach; and again July 10, 2008 to dance and sing with Liquid Pleasure, marking the half-way point in the 2008 series of six concerts. Bryan Hanks, content editor of the Free Press was celebrity emcee for the Liquid Pleasure concert. Beach music takes a break July 24, 2008 when a popular blue grass group, The Grass Cats, takes the stage. WITN-TV's Heather King is the star emcee for The Grass Cats performance.

A week later, July 31, 2008, beach music returns when The Embers perform for their second Streets' engagement in two years; and the concerts end August 14, 2008 with Band of Oz.

"We are gratified that the community have embraced our concerts with great enthusiasm," according to Pride director Adrian King. "This year we've enjoyed more sponsors than ever before, larger and loyal audiences, not to mention some great music. It's wonderful to see whole families come out to enjoy the music and the atmosphere," he said.

King noted that Sand in the Streets is attracting a regional audience, fans from Goldsboro, New Bern, Bridgeton, Greenville, La Grange and from throughout Lenoir County. He noted that Pride is already working to line up the 2009 series.

Chairman of the Board packed Neuseway Park June 12, 2008 to launch Pride of Kinstons' 2008 Sand in the Streets concert series. The famed band attracted the largest crowd to attend a Streets' concert in the five year history of the series.

He praised the commitment of Streets' sponsors: the Kinston-Lenoir County Tourism Development Authority, Realo Discount Drugs, The Free Press, TACC 9 television, Minges Bottling Group/Pepsi Cola; Bojangles, First Citizens Bank, Perry Management, R.A. Jeffreys Distributing, First South Bank, Chick-fil-A, Lenoir Memorial Hospital, King's Restaurant, Corporate Resources, Woodmen of the World, m3 Consulting and Services, the little bank, Gold's Gym, Coastal Connections, American Tool Rental and Christopher's Restaurant.

Kinston's most active baseball star Carl Long (second from right) enjoys a moment with good friends, members of Yesterday's Negro League, during the July 10, 2008 Liquid Pleasure concert at Neuseway Park. Long was recognized during the concert for his contributions to the sport of baseball and to his community.

Officers selected for Pride’s 2008-2009 Year

Alision Merritt Board Chairman

Alison Merritt of Alison & Company Salon and Spa was re-elected chairman of the Pride board of directors at the organization’s annual meeting June 26, 2008, and attorney Mark Herring of the White & Allen law firm was re-elected vice chairman.

In addition, a new board member and treasurer Kevin Zoltek was named to Pride’s leadership team at the annual meeting, and Isaac Hines was re-elected secretary of the board.

Neuse Regional Librarian Agnes Ho, and downtown businessman John Marston were selected to continue as at-large members of the board’s executive committee during 2008-2009.

Pride of Kinston's new treasurer Kevin Zoltek (left) stands with City Councilman Robbie Swinson and (right) friend Eric Rouse during the Christmas parade last year.

In addition, two new board members were elected to three-year terms: architect Jeffrey Brooks of the Dunn & Dalton firm; and William Jarman of the Jarman Construction Company, was elected to return to the board of directors where he has served previously.