TOWN OF CARY ADDS EVEN MORE SPICE TO THIS YEAR’S HEART OF THE HOLIDAYS CELEBRATION

Highlights include first Musical Presentation and Community Tree as part of Tree Lighting

CARY , NC – Lights, camera, action and trees are just a few of the ways the Town of Cary is kicking it up a notch for the community’s annual Heart of the Holidays celebration in downtown Cary on Saturday, December 2, 2006 .  Everyone is invited to join the Carolina RailHawks and the Cary Town Council at Town Hall as they officially kick off the holiday season with the Town of Cary Tree Lighting and the debut of the first “Community Tree” and holiday musical, “The Longest Night”.  The musical and the tree lighting begin at 6 p.m. , immediately followed by the Community Tree presentation.  Town Hall is located at 316 North Academy St .

“If you’re looking for a special way to make the season bright, come out to Town Hall to enjoy the holiday cheer we’re sharing with everyone this year,” said Town of Cary Festival Coordinator Joy Cox .  “The Tree Lighting is just one part of this year’s celebration.”    

The Heart of Cary Association’s Ole Time Winter Festival will be held on the streets of downtown Cary from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.   Festival-goers can enjoy arts and crafts, entertainment, food, activities, and more. Downtown shops will be open all day.  

From 10 a.m. to noon , parents are invited to bring children 10 and under to the Herb Young Community Center , 101 Wilkinson Ave. , for hands-on crafts, live entertainment and a chance to see a special visitor from the North Pole.  While at Santa’s workshop, support the Cary Teen Council’s food drive by sending each child with two non-perishable food items. All contributions will be given to a local charity.

Holiday cheer continues from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Annual Page-Walker Arts & History Center Open House.  Decorated for the holidays by the Friends of the Page-Walker Hotel, guests will be able to visit the Cary Heritage Museum , enjoy refreshments and music by Moment's Notice Jazz Trio, and participate in activities celebrating the holidays. The Town of Cary ’s Water Conservation program will be on hand with its holiday "giftaway" campaign; Cary utility customers can get free water-saving devices such as rain gauges, showerheads, and faucet aerators.

Based on the famous story of “The Gift of the Magi”, “The Longest Night” is a heartwarming tale that celebrates the kindness and love of the holiday season.  Following the play, all eyes will be aglow when the Mayor and the Carolina RailHawks light the 30-foot Eastern Cedar in front of Town Hall. 

Thanks to the involvement of the Cary community, the town has an extra tree to bring families together.  After the play and the lighting of the outdoor tree, everyone will head into the atrium of Town Hall to unveil the Town’s first Community Tree. The tree features ornaments created by local organizations – including schools, churches, businesses, non-profit organizations and clubs – that reflect the intent or purpose of their organization. 

Festival-goers are also invited to attend the Concert Singers of Cary and Triangle Wind Ensemble Holiday Pops Concert at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Herbert C. Young Community Center . The program includes a delightful selection of seasonal classics, modern works appropriate to the holiday, and traditional carols. Tickets are $15 (adults), $12 (seniors/students), and children under 12 are free; tickets will be available at the door.

The holiday celebration concludes with the Cary Players, Applause! Cary Youth Theatre and the Town of Cary ’s presentation of “A Christmas Story” at the Old Cary Elementary School Auditorium.  The beloved holiday classic features local children and adults who bring Ralphie Parker to life and his quest for a genuine Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. Philip Grecian’s adaptation includes all your favorite scenes from the motion picture: exploding furnaces, triple dog dares, and the infamous woman’s leg lamp. The play will be performed December 7-10 and December 15-17; shows on Thursday through Saturday begin at 7:30 , and Sunday matinees begin at 3 p.m.  Advance tickets are $12 (adults), $10 (seniors/students), and $8 (children 12 and under); tickets at the door will be $12 for all.

For those looking for even more adventure that the family can enjoy, Tinsel Town is back at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre, offering a real, outdoor ice skating rink that everyone can enjoy.  Tinsel Town will be open daily, weather pending. Hours of operation are as follows: November 22 – December 31. Monday – Thursday, 4 – 9 p.m., Friday, 4 – 10 p.m., Saturday, 2 – 10 p.m. and Sunday, Noon – 6 p.m.  For more information on pricing, private rentals and group rates, visit www.boothamphitheatre.com.

Click here for a map of the day’s activities.  In case of rain, the Tree Lighting, Community Tree presentation and “The Longest Night” will be held in the Town Council Chambers.  For a complete schedule of the holiday events and more, see Heart of the Holidays at www.townofcary.org, or call (919) 469-4061.

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