The Festival on the Neuse attracts thousands of spectators to Kinston each year.
Before they arrive on May 1, the Pride of Kinston and local group Kinston Promise Neighborhood will host volunteers for the city’s annual Clean-up Day.
Pride has held the initiative 10 times since 2006. With the partnership with Kinston Promise this year, the clean sweep will expand to the East Kinston area.
“It’s always been a community volunteer thing,” Pride Director Adrian King said. “The point of it all is to clean downtown (because) it’s good for economics, as well as aesthetics.”
Volunteers will meet at Pearson Park Saturday at 9 a.m. for their assignments. After a complimentary lunch, a tree will be planted at the park to observe National Arbor Day, a holiday acknowledging the importance of trees.
“You taste with your eyes first,” King said. “What you see informs the rest of your feelings about a place or a thing or a person.”
The two groups hope to spread the message that a neat, liter-free community is important to draw people into Kinston.
“We feel like our community ought to be really proud of where we are,” King said. “You should be willing to put forth a little effort to keep it clean.”
Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 or at jessika.morgan@kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.
2013 Clean Up Day
- Saturday from 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
- Pearson Park
- Lunch served at 12:30 p.m.
- Tree planting at 1:30 p.m.