The sesquicentennial fun continues as the Town of Cary kicks off Celebrate Cary this weekend. The outdoor celebration in honor of Cary’s 150th anniversary is scheduled for two weekends, July 24 and July 31, and the schedule is packed with music, food and family-friendly fun!
- “The Story of Cary,” an original play by Katherine Loflin, will be produced by the Cary Players and presented at the Cary Arts Center starting Sept. 25. The project is a partnership between Loflin, the Cary Players, Friends of Page-Walker Hotel, and the Town of Cary.
- Masquerade 150, a high-end evening gala, will close out the sesquicentennial year with proceeds benefiting two nonprofits, Play It Forward and Oasis. Scheduled for Nov. 13 at the Embassy Suites Cary, tickets go on sale in September.
“A Journey Through a Dream of Light,” an immersive experience of light, art and technology will transform the Cary Art Center into a large-scale outdoor projection exhibit. LEVR Studios will use animation that highlights the use of innovative technologies and projection mapping for a dazzling 10-minute show set to music, projected on the exterior of the Cary Arts Center. It will run on a loop from dusk until 10:30 p.m. each day of Celebrate Cary. In addition to the event dates, the show will run July 25, July 30 and Aug. 1.
Family-friendly activities include Carolina Circus performers, with a daring fire show July 24 and LED show July 31, as well as magicians, roaming acrobats, balloon twisters and an aerial show. Crafts and activities for kids will be provided by the Goddard School of Cary. Onlookers can also enjoy live muralist Britt Flood, a bubble artist and living statue, “Mirror Man” by Image Circus.
Special 150th merchandise will be available, including beer and wine glasses and T-shirts. Fortnight, Bond Brothers, Cotton House, Raleigh Brewing and Bull City Cider will be on hand with food trucks and beer. There will be unique seating and a hedge wall for the comfort of festivalgoers.
Cary resident and two-time Emmy winner Hal Goodtree’s documentary, “Cary at 150,” will be screened at the top of each hour from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Cary Arts Center theater each day of Celebrate Cary. Through interviews with scholars and participants, the film shares a glimpse of the past, present and future of Cary.
As a part of the celebration, many of Cary’s bakeries and sweet shops are offering specially priced Sesquicentennial Sweets from July 24 through Aug. 1. Participants can choose from cupcakes, turnovers, bread, teacakes, crepes, Whoopie Pies and more. Pick up a bingo card at any participating shop to track your treats and enter for a chance to win prizes. The full list of participating shops, specials and prizes can be found at Cary150.org.
