Pink Hill's RoseFest is slated for this weekend
By From staff reports
Published in News on May 18, 2016 1:46 PM
PINK HILL -- The Pink Hill RoseFest will be this weekend in downtown Pink Hill, but festival goers will be seeing a few changes in the festival.
The downtown area has undergone revitalization with 2,500 pink roses and has welcomed new businesses and homeowners.
Susan Myers, director of the 2016 Pink Hill RoseFest, said, "To reflect more of the downtown's revitalization the RoseFest has been moved to South Central and East Broadway."
This year more organizations, including the N.C. Spurs, are involved to make the RoseFest a community event. The RoseFest is advancing to the next level by the hiring of a professional sound and staging company.
"This allows us to bring in more professional entertainment," organizer Josette Bell said. "We have two stages fully booked with great entertainment."
Country Music artist Bryan Mayer is the headlining act this year.
Mayer is a New Bern native and is a new voice on the country music scene.
He has three singles on country radio in the southeast region of the country.
The Rose and Greater Pink Hill Courts will be opening the Festival. The crowning ceremony was held in April at Pink Hill Elementary School.
There will be a meet and greet with Warren Brothers and Miss Lillie, both of Brother's Farm in La Grange and the PBS reality show, "A Chef's Life."
Ben Knight, the co-owner of The Chef and the Farmer restaurant, and Leraine Tolston, the owner of the Queen Street Deli and Chef Vivian Howard's sister, will be present along with most of the Howard's family and friends.
In addition, John Currin and Scarlett Howard will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The popular Pet Parade returns this year. Entry fee is $25. The Pet Parade will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
To enter, contact Cheryl Ibarra from Paws N Claws at 252-568-1213 or PawsNClawsGrooming@aol.com.
With two professional stages full of entertainment; vendors of all types; a fun zone for the kids; food, wine and beer garden there will be something for everybody, says organizers.
All entertainment and most of the kids' activities in the Kids Zone are free.
Almost all of the entertainment will be new this year, including Kinston natives Mason Jar Bonfire and Eight Track, New Bern-based Smash Studios Aerial Silk Dancers, Swansboro natives Wild Honey and 4Ever All, Charlotte's Natty Boh, Enfield's Nico Wild Magic, Durham's Thick Modine and Raleigh's Corey Stuart and comedian Sista Big Bone.
Up and coming teen bands, I Forgot, from Farmville and Deep Run natives, Jillian Wilson and The Pack House Band, will be returning to the stage.
Duplin County-based Barefoot Gypsies Bellydancers were so popular last year that they are returning for two performances. Richlands native Hank Barbee is returning again this year with his band.
The festival's official artist, Hope Smith, will being doing a plein air painting to be given away in a raffle.
The RoseFest will host softball and basketball tournaments. For more information, contact Chris Jones of NC Spurs at 252-560-0518.
Wellness Center Director Jennifer Scott will be giving tours of the facility and waiving the joining fee during the RoseFest. Scott will also head up the kickoff activities Friday at 6:30 p.m., there will be a Skittle Color Run for kids ages 10 and under. A
Afterwards there will be a Bubble Run for grownups and then an outdoor movie, "Facing the Giants." All of the events Friday night will be held in front of the Wellness Center, 301 S. Pine St.
For information, contact Jeremy Czerwinski at 252-568-4477 or pinkhillrosefest@gmail.com.