TOWN OF CARY PREPARES TO STIR UP HOLIDAY SPIRITS AT THE HEART OF THE HOLIDAYS CELEBRATION SATURDAY

Cary Town Band to perform during Tree Lighting Ceremony

CARY , NC – The streets of downtown Cary will be painted red and green this Saturday, December 1 when the Town fills the streets and lights the tree to officially kick off the holiday season.  Everyone is invited to join the Cary Town Council and the Town of Cary as they officially kick off the holiday season with the Tree Lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. in front of Town Hall, 316 N. Academy St. , followed by the unveiling of this year’s “Community Tree” inside Town Hall.

Twenty years since they first performed for the Town’s tree lighting, the Cary Town Band is returning as part of their 20^th anniversary season to play a host of holiday tunes before the tree is lit.  Also joining the Tree lighting ceremony will be the Weatherstone Elementary Chorus and cast members from the Cary Players 2007 production of A Christmas Story.  A joyful sing-a-long will lead up to the lighting of the 30-foot cedar tree.

After the tree lighting ceremony, everyone will head indoors to the Town Hall atrium to unveil the Cary community tree. For the second year in a row, 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. 

“Come one and come all to another joyous holiday celebration in the heart of Cary ,” said Town of Cary Festival Coordinator Joy Cox .  “There’s a little something for everyone at this year’s holiday celebration.  In fact, the tree lighting is just one of many features for the day-long 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.  

Returning to the festival this year is Santa’s Workshop 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.

To close out the evening, festival-goers are invited to attend the Triangle Wind Ensemble Holiday Pops Concert at 7:30 p.m. 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 for concert are $10 (adults), and $3 (students).

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 until December 31 (excluding Christmas Day), weather pending. Hours of operation are: 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.

In case of rain, the Tree Lighting and the Community Tree presentation 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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