TrainWreck, fireworks to highlight Kinston Summerfest Thursday

Kinston Summerfest will have an additional spark Thursday — literally and figuratively.

TrainWreck will be the main attraction at Pearson Park with a fireworks display to follow. The band, based out of Greenville, is a high-energy party band, focusing on hits from the 1960s to the present day in the genres of R&B, rock, dance, funk and pop.

TrainWreck is scheduled for 7 p.m. with fireworks approximately two hours later.

Pride of Kinston executive director Leon Steele said he believes it will be a great family-friendly event with a tremendous atmosphere.

“Flimsy The Clown is going to be there and have all kinds of fun events for kids, including a bouncy house,” Steele said. “Last year, we had about 4,000 people in the Downtown Kinston area and Pearson Park for the fireworks display, and we’re hoping to have the same amount this year.

“This is the biggest and best free show in Eastern North Carolina during the Fourth of July. We’re thankful to have wonderful sponsors to allow us to have this free event and if the weather changes, we’ll move the show to The Red Room with no cover charge.”

Kinston-Lenoir County Parks and Recreation executive director Corey Povar said the fireworks display should thrill the masses who plan to attend and encourages safety.

“We’re expecting a phenomenal show that people can see from Pearson Park through downtown Kinston,” Povar said. “We’re setting up at the Neuseway Nature Park and it’ll be about a 10 minute show. We’ve moved campers from the campgrounds, as well as the tents, and we’ll wet roofs of RVs to prevent any possible embers. We’ve got about a 400-foot parameter from the Neuseway Park, and we recommend citizens to watch from Pearson Park. It’s the best and safest place to see the fireworks on display.”