DKR is buzzing with activity, as always!
Just before BBQ Festival on the Neuse, our Design Committee and a wonderful group of volunteers came together to plant beautiful spring flowers in the downtown pots and hanging baskets. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated their time and energy to help brighten our community with such enthusiasm and care.
We are also excited to be putting the finishing touches on the redesign of All American City Park at the corner of N. Queen and Blount Streets in preparation for its official rededication at the end of June. A few final additions are still needed, including an 80-foot section of fencing along the railroad tracks and two benches. These benches provide a meaningful opportunity for memorial dedications honoring loved ones.
In partnership with Smart Kinston, DKR is bringing even more creativity and fun to the Dragon Park Playground area with a vibrant new crosswalk across Mitchell Street featuring giant glow-in-the-dark dragon footprints, along with a sensory pathway on the adjacent sidewalk. This exciting enhancement will complete our gateway project at this intersection. To allow artists time to complete the installation safely, Mitchell Street will likely be closed for a couple of days. We sincerely appreciate the public’s patience and apologize in advance for any inconvenience to motorists.
DKR is also proud to collaborate with The Proof Kinston on Herritage Street to present a series of four exciting street concerts designed to support our local Social District businesses during the slower summer months while also helping prepare for the upcoming Herritage Street construction project anticipated to begin in early 2027. We encourage everyone to come out, enjoy the music, and support our downtown businesses. Featured bands include Dakota Blue, The Switch, Lost Artists, and Breadwine & Blooze — all well-known regional favorites performing a variety of music sure to entertain audiences of all ages.
If you would like to sponsor this exciting concert series, simply visit Downtown Kinston, click “Donate,” and select “Block & Roll.” Enter your information and desired contribution amount — it’s quick and easy. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, all sponsorships are tax-deductible and designated specifically for Block & Roll programming.
Concert Schedule
Thursday, May 21 | 6–9 PM
Thursday, June 4 | 6–9 PM
Thursday, June 18 | 6–9 PM
Friday, July 3 | 6–9 PM
Regarding the upcoming Herritage Street construction project, DKR will host informational meetings for merchants and stakeholders as soon as detailed drawings and project specifics become available. In the meantime, DKR and Magic Mile Media are developing a comprehensive social media campaign to keep the community informed throughout the process, similar to the successful communication efforts during the Queen Street redesign. This campaign will provide updates on construction progress, parking availability, and ways to continue supporting our downtown businesses.
If you purchased a Giant Christmas Card for Pearson Park last year and would like to renew your participation — or if you missed the opportunity and would like to join this year — please contact our office at (252) 525-6144. These beautiful 6-foot by 3-foot illuminated cards are displayed for six weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s and provide wonderful visibility for businesses while supporting DKR’s holiday initiatives. Even businesses located outside Lenoir County are encouraged to participate if they serve Lenoir County customers. Contributions are tax-deductible and directly support our community Christmas events.
In addition to the beloved annual Turn on the Holidays celebration in Pearson Park and the Christmas Parade, DKR is hopeful to introduce a third, very special, one-night-only ticketed holiday event this year — an exciting experience you will not want to miss. Stay tuned for more details!
Finally, have you signed up for the Kinston Public Services Round Up Program? By simply rounding your utility bill up to the nearest dollar, those small extra cents collectively make a big difference in supporting DKR’s nonprofit work and ongoing community improvement efforts.