NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 3, 2000

SHOW YOUR CARY PRIDE:
HERITAGE BUTTONS AVAILABLE

CARY, NC – Cary residents may proudly proclaim "Born in Cary" or "Cary by Choice" by wearing their own Heritage Day buttons, available for pickup at Town Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Facilities including the two community centers, Page-Walker Arts and History Center and administrative offices. "Born in Cary" buttons are also being given to newborns at Western Wake Medical Center.

"As we look forward to celebrating Cary's rich heritage on May 20th, we hope Cary citizens will pick up a button and wear it in anticipation of what will be a great day of activities for the whole family," said Lyman Collins, Cultural Resources Supervisor for the Town of Cary.

At this new celebration, Cary will host a full day of activities throughout the Town Hall campus, including horse and buggy rides, craft demonstrations, and special exhibitions in the Page-Walker Arts and History Center. A Revolutionary and Civil War encampment and re-enactment as well as live entertainment, food, and fun will be featured.

The town continues to take nominations for "Heritage Sites"—sites that celebrate Cary’s past-- and "heritage trees"—those that are over 100 years old. To nominate a Heritage Site or Tree, send a letter listing the location and significance of the site or tree to Lyman Collins, Cultural Arts Division, PO Box 8005, Cary, NC 27512 or send an email to lcollins@ci.cary.nc.us. Nominations will be evaluated by Town staff with assistance from members of the Friends of Page-Walker. Sites selected for inclusion in Cary’s Heritage List will be recognized with a banner designating the location as a "Heritage Highlight" beginning next week.

Another part of the Cary celebration is the dedication of the Cary Heritage Museum at Page-Walker on May 19^th at 7:00 PM.

Heritage Day and the Cary Heritage Museum have been an on-going project of the Friends of the Page-Walker Hotel, a private, not-for-profit group in Cary that saved the historic building and works to promote Cary’s arts and history. The Friends is co-sponsoring Heritage Day with the Town’s Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department.

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MEDIA NOTE: Please call to find out where and when particular sites/trees will be recognized and banners placed.