This month, DKR is kicking off plans for our two big Christmas traditions:
Turn on the Holidays – Saturday, November 22 at 6 PM in Pearson Park
Kinston Christmas Parade – Saturday, December 6 at 5:30 PM in downtown Kinston
Go ahead and mark your calendars now!
Our holiday events are all about getting the whole community involved while bringing life to downtown. We’re inviting all downtown businesses to join the fun by decorating and lighting up their windows or buildings starting Saturday, November 22 for our big “Turn on the Holidays” celebration. (Yes, decorating before Thanksgiving is totally fine!)
Pearson Park will be the heart of the festivities — with live performances, a giant Christmas tree, huge angels and deer, and all the sparkling displays along the Tinsel Trail. For six weeks, these lights and decorations draw thousands of visitors downtown to soak in that holiday magic.
This year, we’re adding a new twist to make decorating even easier — life-size Christmas cards!
Last year, as a test, we bought a $20 fabric garage-door Christmas banner, built a simple wooden frame, added lights, and turned it into a giant “card” — and it held up beautifully. Think of it as a portable, festive billboard for your business.
DKR will be printing a custom vinyl design this year, complete with our own holiday greeting and business logo. Stored properly, yours can be reused year after year. For a tax-deductible $100 donation to our revitalization nonprofit, you can reserve a powered display spot in the park — giving your business 6 weeks of 24/7 advertising plus extra exposure on our social media pages. All proceeds this year help fund the redesign of the All American City Park downtown.
The more businesses that join in, the more reasons people have to come downtown. It’s fun, it’s festive, and it’s hassle-free.
If you need help building your frame, just let us know. Or, if you’re feeling creative, design your own card — the bigger and more over-the-top, the better!
Have questions or want to reserve your spot? Call us at 252-525-6144 and we’ll get you set up.
Let’s make this year’s holiday season the brightest one yet!