Kinston to celebrate
All-America City award September 20

In ceremonies to be led by Tar Heel Governor Beverly Perdue, Kinston will throw a party Sept. 20, 2009 to celebrate its designation as a 2009 All-America City.
 
The celebration will take place in Kinston’s historic Grainger Stadium, located at 400 East Grainger Avenue, beginning at 3:00 pm.  The public is invited to attend. “We hope the whole town shows up,” commented Kinston Mayor O.A. (Buddy) Ritch.
 
Governor Perdue’s appearance will follow in the footsteps of Governor Jim Martin who travelled to Kinston Oct. 16, 1988 to celebrate Kinston’s first win as an All-America City.  That giant party was also held at Grainger Stadium during Ritch’s first term as mayor.
 
The coveted award was made by the National Civic League June 19, 2009 in Tampa, Florida when 10 out of 30 large and small communities competed live for the title.
 
It has been reported that more than 300 communities submitted written applications for the award. That number was pared down to 30 for the final selection by a panel of judges who interviewed the finalists at the Tampa event.
 
Gov. Perdue will lead a large delegation of local, regional and statewide officials who will join with Mayor Ritch to congratulate the city’s residents “for working hard to make our town the wonderful place that it is,” he said. “To be recognized as an All-America City is a tribute to our wonderful people,” he added.
 
The 2nd Marine Division Band from Camp LeJeune is scheduled to take part in the festivities to be joined by numerous musical groups and speakers from Kinston and Lenoir County.
 
An 18-member All-America City committee led by Mayor Ritch crafted Kinston’s application for the award, written by Kinston city planner Amanda Engesether. A subcommittee of the planning committee, led by Margaret Smith, chair of the Gate’s board of directors, is working on the details for the Sept. 20 giant celebration.
 
A 27-member delegation travelled to Tampa June 17, 2009 to present a 10-minute skit highlighting Kinston’s leadership in creating a multi-county water supply and treatment system, a “Little by Little” mentoring program at Southeast Elementary School and creation of The Gate, a faith-based youth center in downtown Kinston.
 
For additional information contact: Margaret Smith  252-521-0820