Day opens with sledding, ends with live holiday theatre

November 29, 2010

CARY, NC – Downtown Cary will be the hub for all things red, green and cheery on Saturday, December 4, 2010 for the Heart of the Holidays celebration. Bring your letter to Santa and join Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht and the Town Council at Town Hall for the official Town of Cary Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m., along with a host of yuletide festivities that run from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“There’s something for everyone at this year’s Heart of the Holidays,” said Joy Ennis, Festivals Coordinator for the Town of Cary. “While the tree lighting ceremony is one of the most anticipated events, we have 12 hours of holiday fun for all to enjoy.”

Bundle up and grab your sled for the Winter Wonderland at Bond Park, where children will have the opportunity to play in real snow.  Six sledding sessions in two-hour increments on December 4-5 are available and registration is required. The cost is $12 for residents and $16 for non-residents. Sledding session times and registration are available online or by calling (919) 469-4100.

Returning to the celebration this year is Santa’s Workshop from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Herbert C. Young Community Center. Parents are invited to bring children 10 and under for hands-on crafts, live entertainment by the Cary Ballet Company and a chance to see Santa Claus. 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. with the old-fashioned Victorian Christmas experience at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center Holiday Open House. Victorian carolers will set the mood while guests learn about century-old holiday traditions, sing around the piano and enjoy free horse-drawn carriage rides.

At 6 p.m., the community will gather at the corner of North Academy Street and Ambassador Loop Drive to watch the 30+-foot cedar Christmas tree be illuminated for the first time this season. There will be a holiday variety show, and the Town will also unveil the Cary Community Christmas Tree, an oversized tree inside Town Hall decorated with handmade ornaments by community organizations to the diversity of Cary.

To close out the evening, festival-goers are invited to attend the live performance of Yes, Virginia There is a Santa Claus by the Cary Players at 8 p.m. in the Cary Town Council Chambers. Presented as a 1940’s-style radio drama, this heartwarming play is fit for the entire family. For tickets and more information, visit www.caryplayers.org.

In the event of unfavorable weather, the Christmas Tree Lighting will be moved indoors and the Winter Wonderland at Bond Park will be rescheduled for December 18-19. For more information, visit Heart of the Holidays at www.townofcary.org or call (919) 469-4061.

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PRIMARY CONTACTS: 
Joy Ennis, Festivals Coordinator, (919) 462-3864
Deanna Boone, Deputy Public Information Officer, (919) 462-3908
Susan Moran, Public Information Director, (919) 460-4951