25TH ANNUAL LAZY DAYS ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL Saturday, August 25, 2001 9am-5pm Downtown Cary (Raindate: Sunday, August 26, 12-7pm) Information for the 2001 event is not available. Please review last year's event information. 24th Annual Lazy Days Arts & Crafts Festival Saturday, August 26, 2000 9am-5pm Downtown Cary Over the past 24 years, the Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival has become one of the South’s premier festivals. Every year on the last Saturday in August, an estimated 50,000 people travel to downtown Cary to enjoy the handiwork of the very best artists and craftsmen in the country. Co-sponsored by the Town of Cary and BB & T Bank, this year’s festival will feature exhibitors from 17 different states, drawing artisans from New York to Louisiana. Artisans Each spring a jury of knowledgeable and accomplished artists reviews some 700 applications for the coveted 400 spaces in the festival. Those exhibitors who pass the jury process are rewarded by the throngs of people that pass by their booth on festival day. So whether you’re looking for an original gift, a decorating piece, or you just love to look at beautiful artwork, join us at this year’s festival! Entertainment Three stages of live entertainment add lots of excitement and fun to the Festival. The Cary High School Band and the Cary Town Band kick off the festival on Saturday morning and Sweet Potato Pie Bluegrass and the Harmonettes will rove throughout the festival. The Festival Main Stage at Fidelity Plaza brings a variety of music to Cary with the bluesy sounds of The Wilder Brothers, the country kick of The Pearsall Brothers, and everybody’s favorite beach-band, "Band of Oz." The second stage, located at the Post Office parking lot, has been programmed with entertainment that suits the "Kid’s World" area—magicians, mimes, clowns, singers, storytellers and puppets. The third stage at Park Street features dancers of all ages and styles. From the YMCA Super Skippers to the NCSU Clogging Team, the Park Street Stage will rock with the beat of dancing feet! Civic Expo In addition to the numerous artisans, Lazy Daze hosts over 50 non-profit groups from Cary and Wake County. Half of these groups will set up concession booths providing the festival with a variety of foods such as pierogies, BBQ, funnel cakes, ice cream and hot dogs. The other 25 groups, located in Civic Expo areas, will either distribute literature or information about their group or, sell raffle tickets or fund-raising items(other than crafts or artwork). This is an excellent opportunity for citizens to learn which non-profits are in Cary and what services they provide. Stop by and show your support for such groups as the Cary Concert Singers, Cary High School Band Boosters, and the American Red Cross. Food Over 25 concession booths will be scattered around the festival providing a variety of food and drinks. Non-profit civic groups apply for the concession spaces to raise funds for their community projects. They bring with them an incredible menu that includes pierogies, BBQ, funnel cakes, ice cream and hot dogs among other items. And if it gets too hot, cool down with a glass of freshly-squeezed lemonade! No alcohol will be permitted at the festival. Kid’s World "Kid’s World," a fun and interactive area in the Post Office parking lot, will provide a place for parents and their children to hang out and have a fun time--whatever the age! This section of the festival will feature interactive exhibits, crafts and food especially geared towards the younger set. Parents and their children will enjoy the handcrafted toys, puppets and face-painting, and at the Exploris booth, they will be introduced to musical instruments from around the world. The Kid’s World stage will feature magicians, musician, clowns and actors throughout the day. Cary’s own APPLAUSE! Cary Youth Theatre will have a booth in Kid’s World and will perform scenes from their most recent productions. Lazy Daze Community Donations More good comes from Lazy Daze than just a good time for those at the festival. Proceeds from the festival benefit a wide range of community organizations. Last year, the town donated over $22,000 to 25 different public and private Cary organizations and programs. Volunteer organizations that help out with the community are given top priority, and only Cary groups are eligible for funding. Organizations that want to apply for a share should contact the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department at 469-4061. HOW TO GET TO THE FESTIVAL SHUTTLE BUS The easiest way to get to Lazy Daze is to take one of the free shuttle buses which run every 15 minutes from Cary Towne Center at Sears and Dillard’s Stores to Cary Elementary School. First bus departs at approximately 8:30 am. Last bus leaves Cary Elementary at 5:30 pm. Cary Towne Center is at the corner of Maynard Road and Walnut Street. It can best be reached via I-40 exit 291. Follow signs at Cary Towne Center to parking lots. DIRECTIONS FROM I-40 Exit 287-N Harrison Ave. Follow Harrison South to Chapel Hill Road. Turn left on Chapel Hill Road. Turn right on Academy St. Park in Town Hall Parking lot. Exit 290- NC 54 Follow NC 54 west to Maynard Rd. Stay straight on Chapel Hill Rd. to N. Academy St. Turn left and park in Town Hall parking lot. Exit 291-Cary Take Cary Towne Blvd/Walnut Street West to Downtown or Cary Towne Center for shuttle bus. Exit 293-A US 1-S/64-W-Take Walnut Street exit. Follow Walnut Street West to Downtown or Cary Towne Center for shuttle bus. AMTRAK Amtrak train Carolinian will stop in Cary at 11:33 am. Train #80 originates in Charlotte at 8 am and makes stops in Kannapolis, Salisbury, High Point, Greensboro, Burlington, and Durham. Departs Cary at 4:36 pm for return trip. For tickets call 1-800-872-7245. Town Homepage