Mike Parker: Looking for something to do? Check here first

For some time, I have been working at the Visitor Center at the intersection of US 70 and US 258 a couple of days a week. I had only been working a couple of weeks when one visitor from the Crystal Coast came in and asked, “Why would anyone come to Kinston? What is there to do here?”

I pushed down the sting of that insult and smiled at him.

“Well, what are your interests? If you are interested in history, we have the CSS Neuse Interpretative Center, which houses the remains of the original CSS Ram Neuse. The Ram Neuse is the largest non-building artifact the state of North Carolina owns. We also have a full-scale replica of the Ram Neuse. Just a couple of blocks away is Harmony Hall, an 18th-century home once owned by Richard Caswell, the first governor of North Carolina during the American Revolution. We also have two driving battlefield tours.

“If you are interested in sports, we have the Down East Wood Ducks, an affiliate of the Texas Rangers. At the Kinston Community Center, we have a Hall of Fame that features famous sports figures who hail from Kinston and Lenoir County.”

I mentioned restaurants, places to shop, and a host of other attractions our area offers.

What bothers me most is when a local citizen says, “There's nothing to do in Kinston.” Seriously? Most of the time, so many activities are happening that I cannot make all of them. Case in point: Over the next three weeks, events will occur that demonstrate our citizens’ wide variety of interests.

On Saturday, April 30, Dennis Harper and Wade Sokolosky will host a bus tour of the Wyse Fork Battlefield. Buses will take participants to the significant places of the second largest Civil War battle in North Carolina, the only time roughly equivalent Union and Confederate forces faced each other in this state.

This tour will also help participants understand the vital importance of protecting and preserving this battlefield listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Dennis and Wade will also explain how the proposed shallow bypass will destroy significant places on this battlefield. Sign-up for this tour by calling the Visit Kinston site at 252-523-2500.

If you are not interested in history, April 30 also offers “A Jeep Affair.” Bring your Jeeps to the Lenoir County Fairgrounds, 401 Fairgrounds Road, Kinston, NC 28504. Enter your Jeep for the Obstacle Course (11:00 a.m. - 3 p.m.), the JEEP Show and Shine Competition, or just come and show off your Jeep machine. Gates open at 10 a.m..

The following weekend, May 6-7, is BBQ Fest on the Neuse. Between 35,000 and 40,000 people will crowd the festival area. Nearly 100 cook teams have already signed up to compete in the world's largest whole hog cooking contest. What distinguishes this festival from other BBQ wannabes is that experts in porcine cuisine judge this competition.

Do not miss the delicious BBQ, food competitions, shopping, arts and crafts, the wine garden, special activities for children, and food vendors. Did I mention the Classic Car Show held in conjunction with BBQ Fest? Or the musical acts?

On May 14 and 15, our area will experience the first Renaissance Faire of Eastern North Carolina. The Lenoir County Fair Grounds will host this event that commemorates the Renaissance Period, a vibrant time after the Middle Ages when art, science, humanism, philosophy, and religion came together to enrich the lives of all. Many artists, travelers, and theologians emerged during this time, such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Columbus, and Martin Luther.

Organizers of this Renaissance Faire seek to recreate and recapture the era's spirit as accurately as possible. Some of the events will include a royal court, period entertainment, a royal contest, jousting, games of dungeons and dragons, live chess, sword fighting, caber tossing, and tug of war. Food vendors will offer period-style foods and a beer and wine garden.

While all these activities are going on, the Wood Ducks will be playing at home from April 26 through May 1 and May 10 through May 15.

Nothing to do in Kinston?

I think not.

Mike Parker is a columnist for the Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.