Newly elected Mayor O.A. (Buddy) Ritch (center), standing in front of Pride's newly decorated tree, greets a few friends at the Pride of Kinston Christmas Open House held Nov. 21, 2005. Joining Ritch for the party (left to right) Agnes Ho and Frances Parrott, representing Pride's Marketing & Promotions Committee; Ritch; and Earl Harper, Lenoir County Commissioner. The spectacular ornaments and decorations for the traditional tree were donated by Heritage House Florist.

When Queen Street's holiday lights are switched on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2006, it will be a signal for shoppers to head to downtown Kinston for their Christmas shopping and dining.

The "lights on" event will also signal the start of Pride of Kinston's annual Christmas Open House.

The lights, encircling holly trees which line Queen Street, will go on as friends of downtown and Pride gather at 5:30 pm in the Kinston Enterprise Center located at 327 North Queen.

The open house is jointly sponsored by Pride's Design and Marketing & Promotions committees, co-chaired by Design's Shirley Herring, and Marketing Committee's Agnes Ho.

Chairpersons Herring and Ho have issued invitations to all downtown's merchants, friends, and advocates to attend the party to munch on traditional holiday fare.

"Y'all come," they said. "It's going to be a great party to launch the season!"

Lights Up Downtown!

Donna Hardy, proprietor of The Briary at 212 N. Herritage Street, clutches her first place plaque for winning the 2005 Lights Up Downtown! Window Display Contest. The award was presented at the Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce's annual Christmas party held Nov. 29, 2005.

Kinston's downtown businesses are being invited to enter the 2006 Christmas season window display contest, an annual competition sponsored by Pride of Kinston.

Theme for the contest is Best Use of Lights illuminating a Christmas Theme.

"Creative window displays make for an especially inviting atmosphere for our downtown shoppers," Adrian King, director of Pride comments. "Sponsoring this competition has become a Pride tradition which we thoroughly enjoy. It's a feature of the season we all look forward to."

Contest Rules

• White lights only
• No open flames
• Deadline for window displays:
  12 Noon Dec. 1, 2006
• Judging: 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm Dec. 1, 2006
• Open only to merchants/businesses in MSD area
• First, second and third place winners will be selected
• Winners to be announced at the Kinston-Lenoir County
  Chamber of Commerce Christmas party Dec. 5, 2006
• Winners will receive a plaque for display in their business
• Participants will be encouraged to illuminate their displays
  during business hours throughout the Christmas shopping
  season.

Questions should be directed to Adrian King, 252-522-4676 Ext. 2020.