Conservation, Arts & Fitness Highlight 18th Annual Cary Spring Daze

Cary, NC – Bond Park is gearing up for the 18th annual Cary Spring Daze Festival on Saturday, April 30, 2011. Highlights this year include a focus on conservation, fitness and some new and unusual ways to enjoy local art.

Rain Barrels for a Cause

This year marks the first ever “Artistic Rain Barrel” project. Various groups and individuals have signed on to create works of functional art out of the Town’s rain barrels. These are normally sold to citizens and businesses who wish to conserve rain which can be used later to water their gardens. These painted barrels have been displayed around town leading up to the festival. They will move to Bond Park and then be held for auction.

Festivals Director, Joy Ennis says “We’re excited about this year’s Spring Daze Festival and especially our new project – the Artistic Rain Barrel project. There are 14 fantastic barrels that will be available to purchase. Proceeds will benefit the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department’s Relief for Recreation Scholarship Fund and the OASIS program.”

Fitness Fun

Cary was recently voted a “Fit Community” and as part of that designation, the Town has again partnered with WakeMed Cary to sponsor the Fitness Trail and its Passport to Fitness. Visitors can pick up their “passports” at any Fitness Stop within the festival, and then can complete many of the wellness activities (appropriate for all ages) to get their passports stamped. When the passport is completed, folks can turn them in at any Fitness Stop to receive a cool prize. If you completed all the stops, you could win the grand prize! I’m going to try to do that.

Earth Day Activities

For several years the town has combined their Earth Day celebration with Spring Daze. The setting in the Town’s largest park along with the April date makes conservation a natural theme.

The theme for the Earth Day booths this year is “Lead. Inspire” and focuses on how the Town is working to preserve natural resources. Visitors can learn about the Spruce Program, C Tran, cooking oil recycling and water conservation among many other booths.

Local Artisans in Action

Both the Cary Clay Cooperative and the Capital Quilters Guild will be demonstrating their crafts.

Amateur Photo Contest

The Cary Jaycees in conjunction with the Spring Daze Festival Committee held a photo contest and entrees will be on display at the Bond Park Boat House. Winners will be presented at 12:15 pm.

Art-o-Matic Miniature Art

Purchase a piece of miniature art from the Art-O-Mat. A rehabilitated cigarette machine houses miniature original works of art that can be purchased for a small fee. The Town-owned Art-O-Mat has made a town-wide tour before settling in its final home in May at the new Cary Arts Center.

Art Displays

All artists at Spring Daze are limited to local talent. Most are from Wake County, if not they are from North Carolina. There will be crafts, and clothing, stained glass and paintings. When I was a child we moved a lot. Everywhere we lived my parents always bought a piece of art at shows such as this one to remind them of their travels. What a nice way to remember where you’ve been.

For more info, visit the town’s Spring Daze Page