SPRING DAZE GIVES REASON TO CELEBRATE THE SEASON IN CARY

Town Expects Nearly 15,000 People at the Annual Arts & Crafts Festival this Saturday

CARY, NC – Food, music, and art are just a few of the treats in store for festival goers at the 13^th Annual Spring Daze Arts & Crafts Festival on Saturday, April 29, 2006 at Bond Park, 801 High House Road in Cary.  The festival kicks off at 9 a.m. with a Dixieland Jazz Parade through the Park and the fun continues until 5 p.m. with 140 performing artists, 15 civic groups, 13 concession areas and two demonstrating artist guilds. 

“We are looking forward to yet another successful festival,” said Joy Cox, Cary Festivals Coordinator.  “The event is a great opportunity for people near and far to see firsthand the creative and unique arts that our community has to offer.”  Cox added that the festival is free and open to the public. 

Children and adults can take an active part in the day’s festivities.  A specially-marked “Children’s Village” will provide a fun and interactive area for parents and their children to enjoy exhibits and hands-on crafts as well as face painting, magicians, story tellers, and clowns.  The Town is also incorporating the annual Earth Day celebration into the festival, with a plant sale, free tree seedlings and other giveaways, environmental games, and crafts. Free lunch bags made from 100 percent recycled plastic will also be available at the Earth Day booth while supplies last.

Other events planned for the day include “Los Galleros de Mexico” that will stroll through Bond Park with Mariachis music, beginning at 1 p.m.   Also, the Shadow Players Stage Combat Group – roving pirates who mimic combat with swords and sabers – will stroll through the festival area, entertaining the captive audience.

The easiest way to travel to and from the festival is to take one of the free shuttle buses, which will run every 15 minutes between 8:45 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.   Shuttle Bus parking is available at the Town Hall Parking Deck located adjacent to the new Cary Town Hall on Wilkinson Avenue .  Parking and shuttle rides are available at the Bond Park Community Center, Cary Senior Center or the Ropes Course parking area inside the park.  There is limited parking across from Bond Park at St. Michael’s Catholic Church.

In the event of rain, the festival will be postponed to Sunday, April 30, 2006 from noon until 6 p.m.