L-R: Geraldyne Barbour, Nicole Moore, Jackie Elmore, City Councilwoman Felicia Solomon, Mayor Don Hardy, Kenyari Fields, Tekeema Parson and Chris Suggs Photo by Bud Hardy / Neuse News

Seven Kinston residents were honored during the BBQ Festival on the Neuse Friday evening, receiving the city’s top honor from Mayor Don Hardy.

Hardy presented a Golden Key to the City to Geraldyne Barbour, Nicole Moore, Jackie Elmore, Kenyari Fields, Eric Cantu, Tekeema Parson and Chris Suggs.

Each of the recipients, Hardy said, had contributed to the forward motion of the city in a way that significantly impacted the citizens of Kinston. “The Golden Key to the City is one of the most prestigious awards given by a mayor. It’s important to me that I recognize people who have done innovative things for the city,” Hardy said.

Awarding the keys is something he looks forward to every year, Hardy said. It’s important to honor those who have impacted the city in a positive way, but Hardy said he also views the awards as a way to motivate others to emulate those who receive the awards.

The awards ceremony was the kickoff to an evening of festivities on Herritage St. as the annual BBQ festival got into full swing. Tammy Kelly, who organized the cook off introduced the cook teams and sponsors to the crowd, and then gave way to a band that played throughout the evening. A fireworks display in Pearson Park capped off the evening as the cook teams received their pigs and began cooking.