Various streets and intersections will be blocked along Kinston’s Herritage Street corridor this weekend to pave the way for one big block party.
To provide for around 80 pig cooking teams, carnival rides and live entertainment, tents and stages are popping up in preparation for the 32nd Annual Festival on the Neuse and Wil King Hog Happenin’.
The Plein Air Paint Out began Wednesday morning, the Caswell Center Foundation Golf Tournament begins at 1 p.m. today, and the kick-off concert event, Evening with the Stars, will be from 6 to 9 p.m. today. This ticketed event ($35) will showcase local artwork for sale, heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages, and the live entertainment of Sound Chemistry from Raleigh.
A wine garden beside the Lenoir County Farmer’s Market, a long list of vendors at the Farmer’s Market, Inner’s amusement rides, kidfest and a blocked section for Artfest will be joined by four separate venues for live entertainment Friday and Saturday.
The main stage at Pearson Park and the Herritage Street Stage will house the opening and welcoming activities, along with announcements of competition winners in the Hog Happen’ categories. Steve Hardy and his Original Beach Party will emcee activities at the Pearson Park Stage, beginning at 6 p.m. Friday.
The Entertainers will provide live entertainment on that stage beginning at 7:30 p.m. Friday, providing their legendary beach sound plus Top 40 selections, classic rock and country. Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. Friday along Herritage Street and Pearson/Tiffany West Park.
Teen Nation Tour will headline entertainment Friday and Saturday on the Herritage Street Stage, along with a list of other local performing artists.
Other performances will be at The Red Room and on the Artfest Stage.
Overland Gallery will open for the first time to the public; Ring City Roller Girls will perform in the parking lot behind Mother Earth Brewery; the Brewery and Wyse Fork Battlefield will offer tours; and of course barbecue plates and sandwiches will be sold after the judging is completed.
The Community Council for the Arts has an array of activities and vendors lined up as part of Artfest throughout the festival. Look for the banner indicating the area for Artfest, on Herritage Street between North and Blount streets, including the Ellis Buggy Building and the Overland Gallery. To entertain children and parents, a professional balloon artist will be on hand from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, and a stiltwalker will browse the Artfest area from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
Internationally famed jazz singer/songwriter Nnenna Freelon will close the festival weekend with a performance Saturday night at the Community Council for the Arts.
For information, contact the arts center at 252-527-2517 or kinstoncca.com; or visit the festival website, KinstonBBQ.com.
Festival on Neuse Entertainment
Main attractions today through Saturday
PearsonParkStage (Main stage)
Friday
6 p.m. — Chamber Burger and Brew Bash, Steve Hardy’s Original Beach Party
7:30 to 9:30, 10 to 11 p.m. — The Entertainers
9:30 p.m. — Fireworks
Saturday
10 a.m. — Steve Hardy’s Original Beach Party
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — The Seaside Band
Herritage StreetStage (between Centennial Corner and Farmer’s Market)
6 p.m. Friday — Teen Nation Tour
Noon Saturday — Teen Nation Tour
Art Fest Stage (Herritage and Blount)
6 to 9 p.m. Friday
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
Local youth soloists, church youth bands, dancers, Arts Council TAPS
The Red Room (220 N. Herritage St., and around corner on North Street)
6 to 9 p.m. today — Evening with the Stars with Sound Chemistry
(Tickets $35)
9 p.m. Friday — Lizzy Ross Band
1 p.m. Saturday — Mandolin Orange
Community Council for the Arts (400 N. Queen St.)
7:30 p.m. Saturday — Nnenna Freelon Concert
(Tickets: $25 advance/$25 door)