KINGSTON – One thing is clear in Kingston: Residents like celebrating their historic origins but some old things need changing.
One is definitely a new slogan.
As Kingston’s celebrated Heritage Day nears – set to take place Sept. 27 – Kingston Revitalization Association (KRA) and the Kingston Chamber of Commerce wants residents to decide on a new phrase to describe the town, the locale and its people.
The old, “Little city by the Sea,” seems it’s no longer cutting the mustard.
“A lot of people don’t like the old one,” said Karen Ross, president of KRA.
In the last attempts to settle on a replacement, Kingston Chamber of Commerce received hundreds of responses to finding a few new, catchy words to suffice.
“We got 700 of them,” said Ron Muell, KRA treasurer.
The most popular choice “Close enough to get away,” is too much like Kitsap County’s already coined phrase, “Far enough to get away.”
Nothing else had a vast lead over the others, Ross said.
On Monday night KRA members perused over a compiled list of more than 15 favorite potential slogans sent to the Chamber of Commerce last month.
Some included “One mile long, 100 years strong,” “A Sound way of life” and “Kick back in Kingston.”
Others in the letters included some more comical such as “It’s not Jamaica Mon!”
Some Kingston residents stood by their gut-gripping quips while others took the task more seriously, analyzing words to ensure Kingston doesn’t sound like a “retirement home” for the phrase “A safe harbor community.”
Still there are those who feel the stress over the need for a slogan isn’t necessary.
“Styles come and styles go, and we will undoubtedly be stuck with a slogan long after it becomes uncute and unfashionable,” said one letter writer, adding “why quibble with cuteness? If we really must have a slogan, how about ‘Kingston – We’re trying to make it Bainbridge, but it’s just not working.’”
Chiding aside, a new slogan is on Kingston’s to-do list, along with gearing up for the next big event, the third annual Kingston Heritage Day.
The event is set to kick off at 8 a.m. and not end until everyone gets a taste of what life was like in “the good ol’ days” unless clocks strike 9 p.m. before that happens on Sept. 27.
The goal is to have people dress in as many period costumes as possible.
The day’s schedule of events include a loggers’ breakfast, an apple festival at the Kingston Farmers Market, covered wagon shuttles, art show and an antique car show across from the Blue Water Inn.
And it wouldn’t be complete in Kingston without live bands, food, beer and wine for the 21 and overs.
The day will also showcase displays from the Kingston Historical Society and old-fashioned kid games such as red rover and three-legged races.
To help in the event, contact Karen Ross at (360) 297-0316.
