State games, swimming begin today

If traffic backs up on city streets today, or you have a long wait at your favorite restaurant, it might be because about 3,000 visitors are expected here today.

Sixty-five baseball and basketball teams are in town for the State Games Eastern Finals. Teams from Wilmington to Goldsboro, including those from Kinston, will be playing today and Sunday at every available field in the city and county, Parks and Recreation Director Bill Ellis said.

Today's games are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. until about 11 p.m., and from 8:30 a.m. until about 6 p.m. Sunday. If basketball or basketball isn't your cup of tea, how about swimming?

Pools at Emma Web and Holloway parks open at 1 p.m. today and swimmers can enjoy the water until 5 p.m. The same hours will be in effect every weekend this summer. Hours Mondays through Fridays will be 2 to 5 p.m.

Admission is 75 cents for children up to age 12; 13- to 18-year-olds will pay $1.50 and adults 18 and older will be charged $2 for a day of swimming.

Lifeguards, a pool manager, assistant pool manager and a pool disciplinarian will be on duty at all times, and bathhouses are available.

Ellis is introducing a new feature at the pools this year: dances every other Saturday night. The first will be June 23 at Hollowell.

"We're looking for some stuff for the kids to do," Ellis said. "We'll have deejays at the dances from 7:30 until 10:30 p.m."