A KINSTON CHRISTMAS
Kinston Christmas Lights: it’s much more than just pretty.
The population of Natchitoches, LA is similar to Kinston but their historic downtown is tiny in comparison. The historic residential area surrounding their downtown is all B&Bs. Their commercial spaces are leased and business is good. But they do not have the industry that Kinston has and the closest metropolitan or other areas of any size are 50 to 100 miles away.
Each year Natchitoches hosts a spectacular season-long holiday of lights and fireworks. From Thanksgiving to New Years they enjoy the economic vitality brought by 100,000 visitors. One must have B&B, Inn, or nearby hotel reservations a year in advance. Wouldn’t that be nice for us?
Kinston and Lenoir County will benefit from Pride of Kinston’s similar tourism-based economic development proposal with our Kinston Christmas.
But there is more. The programmable LED lights along the river from King St to Pearson Park means not only that we can change the colors of the lights from an iPhone for each holiday during the year, but they can also illuminate with white light.
Imagine driving into town across the King St bridge. At the moment all we see is darkness. With lights, we create a very welcoming excitement with a special gateway entry of trees along the river up-lit from below and the lights reflecting in the water.
Now think about all the people living in the surrounding area and all the guests and families who visit over the holidays. They will all want to see the lights in downtown Kinston. They will also be shopping and eating in our downtown as well as occupying our hotels and doing other business throughout Lenoir County.
The goal is to eventually grow it to include the Nature Center with both an automobile and wagon trails holiday lighting experience.
Meanwhile, to start as proposed it must be impressive to be impactful and each year we will add a bit more.
Help us reach our goal of $40k to make this a reality for this holiday season. It is good for all of us and together we can do it. Your contributions are tax deductible. Make yours at www.DowntownKinston.com today.
The following have let their light shine. Thank you for your generous donations!
Emma Godmere
Jacob Turner
Anonymous Angel
Clifton Rouse
Mary Whaley
Gordon Kelley
Manasi Gahlot
Amber Hargett
Felicia Solomon
Frances Squires
Becky Whittington - Just Add Salt
Jimmy Parks
Matthew Young
Richard Bogan
Sue Ellen J Maddux
Jeffrey Davis
Patricia Jones - ERA
Lucy Whaley
J Lane & Family
David Edwards - Realtor
Ginger Dixon
Emmy Holloman
Paula Merrit
James and Whitney Grady
Teigha Randolph
Joni McRae
Fly Exclusive
Hightower Communications
Scott Crocker
Carol Stein
Scott Matthews Cosmetic & Family Dentistry/ Heather Matthews
Bo Hobbs
Suzanne Gallaher
Edwards Funeral Home & Cremations
Linda S Carey
Jane & Warren Brothers
Elizabeth Wooten in honor of Robin
Charlene Turner
Robin Whitfield
Sophie Bowen
Teresa O'Neal
Terry Light
Raina Thrower
Jon Clemmons
Emily Elmore
Marion & Dr. Charles Classen
Diane Meeks
Betty Ann Lorah
Caroline Roberts
Joey Bryan
Donna Kennedy
The Herlong Family
Mike Haddad
Seraphim Smith
Dr. Pradeep Arumugham
Ginger Knott Johnson
ERA of Downtown Kinston - Jess Edwards
Kenneth Blizzard
Cindy & John Archie
Steve Lovick
Mother Earth Brewing – Stephan Hill
Wallace, Morris, Barwick, Landis & Stroud, P.A.
Danny Rice family
Rob Bizzell - Realo Drugs
Ben Knight - Vivian Howard Restaurant Group
Joe Hargitt - Kings Restaurant
Bojangles
James & Rebecca Perry
UNC Lenoir Health Care
Heather Shaw Mintz, Dolph Mintz
Maidred & Reginald Stroud
Allison and Angie Jones - Copy Pro
Christopher M. Segal
Ned & Susan Grady - Ned Grady Realty, LLC
Keith Thompson - Allstate
Judy Jones - Allstate
Issac & Linda Hines
County Commissioner J Mac & Deborah Daughety
Anonymous Angel
Jacques Passailaigue - Managed Print Solutions
Dawn G. Stroud
June Cummings
Kevin M. Zoltek
Kosinski Family
Leraine H. Tolston - Queen St Deli
Paul & Debbie Chused
Kelly & Alice Tingle
Lois Pressly
Bruce Ziegler
Carolyn Roberts
Janet & Bruce Parson in memory of Shirley Herring
Michael and Cynthia Dunn
Mary Page Whitley
Carolyn Fletcher
Christine Zoller
Brandon Potter
William Page
Dunn & Dalton
John & Lucy Marston
John & Brenda Canup
Waylon Adams – Alsco
Leon Steele
Lara & Matt Tribula
Brantly & Eugenia Briley
Larry & Deborah Brassine - ERA
Melvin & Deborah Hood
Little Miss Palmer
In memory of Jimmy & Geri Capps
Staff of Capps Trailers
Dan Sale
Blizzard Contract & Design
Jim & Tracy Capps
Beauty Box
Frances & Greg Theodorakis
Chris Humphrey
Suzanne Ballard
Glenn Batten
Joanie Babcock
Jasmine Jones
Judge Lucy Inman
Betty Deveau
THANK YOU !!!