Cary, NC — As the air turns chilly and the evenings become darker, Cary plays host to many events that are sure to get you in the Halloween spirit. Our Cary Guide to Halloween 2014 is the perfect companion to assist you in planning the best ways to celebrate fall with family and friends. Read more
Cary, NC — Big fall weekend coming up in Cary and around the Triangle. You’ll find plenty to do, no doubt, with swing dancing and Darius Rucker in Cary (not at the same time, of course), the IBMA bluegrass festival in Raleigh and dinner theater at Booth Amphitheatre. There are some tough choices to be made this weekend, people.
Cary, NC — Did I wander into a Rocky Horror showing? Nope, just a drag bingo game. Read more
Cary, NC– The Town of Cary will host its biannual Operation Medicine Drop on Saturday, September 27, 2014 as a chance for citizens to properly dispose of prescription, over-the-counter and expired medications, no questions asked. Read more
Cary, NC — Sunny skies and warmer weather should return to Cary this weekend, just in time for music, Dragon Boats, a couple of 5k’s and the Moonlight Sculpture Tour.
Cary, NC — Nineteen high school marching bands – that’s 1,700 students – will compete at Panther Creek’s 7th annual marching band competition on September 27, 2014. Read more
Cary, NC — Rowing meets Chinese culture in this ancient, hallowed race. The Dragon Boat Festival is coming to Cary on September 27, 2014.
Labeling it an annual event, the nonprofit group, Asian Focus, is bringing an ancient Chinese Tradition to Koka Booth. The first Dragon Boat Festival will be held with rowing competitions, Asian foods, merchandise and dances.
In long, thin boats, 20 people are packed in and handed paddles. Their purpose? To row as fast as they can. Directed by one man on a rudder and kept in rhythm by a drummer, the racers compete against other boats to reach a finish line and claim first place. Corporate and competitive dragon boat teams from around the state will be coming to compete. Feel inclined to give the race a shot? Here is the registration site. Apart from supporting the community, the race is also a great way to get a work out in while having some fun. Above all else, this is a team building competition so if you want to put your ability to work with others to the test, this will be one of the best ways to do it.
Starting nearly 2,500 years ago in southern China, dragon boat races were held as a fertility rite, an event that was to bring a prosperous rice harvest and protection from illnesses. Emulating the battles of dragons, the Chinese deities of water, the races were held as homage to these bringers of prosperity.
An alternative origin suggested is the death of Qu Yuan, a Chinese poet. The poet drowned himself in the Miluo River despite the efforts of local villagers to save him. To protect his body from both fish and evil spirits, the villagers would beat drums and disturb the water with their paddles. From there on, the search for his body became a traditional race held on the anniversary of Qu Yuan’s death.
As a break from the usual hum drum of Cary life, I actually find myself looking forward to this. I doubt I’ll actually take part in the races (don’t think I could raise the money to get in, much less find twenty people to crew the thing) but it would be a welcome sight to watch. I’m curious as to what kind of food will be available, what cultural dances will presented, and what sort of knick-knacks can be picked up. Admission to the festival is free but beyond that… In any case, this is nothing short of novel. If nothing else, I definitely plan on checking it out.
Dragon Boat Festival
Saturday, September 27, 2014
9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Koka Booth Amphitheatre
Cary, NC
Admission: Free
More info:
The 2014 Cary Scavenger Hunt Teams before they departed from Page-Walker on Sept 13
Cary, NC — CaryCitizen held the 5th annual Cary Scavenger Hunt Saturday September 13, 2014 and the rainy forecast did not dampen our spirits. An early call for a move to Town Hall made sure our booths and teams were dry for the afternoon festivities and awards. Read more
Cary, NC — This weekend, the NY Cosmos are in town to play the Railhawks, there’s a 5K, a waterfront picnic and singer Kim Wempe at Sertoma Amphitheatre. Plus a few tantalizing events across the Triangle. Read more
Volunteers helping to renovate the Kids Together Playground
Cary, NC- After 14 years of play, the large, Climb & Slide structure in the Kids Together Playground was showing signs of wear and tear. Read more