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 — 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:
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
Doc Thorne and Joy Pike judging teams in 2012.
Cary, NC — The Cary Scavenger Hunt has many excellent ways to connect with your community, but one of the most fun is who you meet when your scores are tallied. We employ Cary Celebrities. Really. Read more
On Thursday morning, the Morrisville Chamber will host a Transit Forum at 8 AM. Durham and Orange Counties have passed transit bonds, but Wake voters have yet to be afforded the opportunity to express their will. David King and Deborah Ross will be on hand from Triangle Transit. Members: $10; Non-Members 20. Registration.
The Citizen Diplomacy Summit, presented by Sister Cities of Cary, will run from 7-9 PM at the Cary Theater downtown.
Also Thursday, party band The Dickens will take the stage at Park West, part of the Harvest Nights concert series.
More Thursday details on the Calendar.
On Friday, Tea Cup Gin will bring their eclectic mix of jazz, blues and show tunes to the Downtown Performance Green in Cary from 7-9 PM.
Also Friday, It’s Raining Cats & Dogs, a concert by the Cary Town Band, will celebrate our favorites pets from 7:30-8:30 at Sertoma Amphitheatre in Bond Park.
More Friday details on the Calendar.
Saturday is the 5th Annual Cary Scavenger Hunt. First prize is a trophy cup stuffed with $250 in cash. Think you know Cary? It’s not too late to register.
More Saturday details on the Calendar.
This weekend, SparkCon takes to the streets in Raleigh. Zappa Plays Zappa is at the Lincoln Theater in Raleigh on Friday night and the Durham Bulls play the PawSox Friday and Saturday (if necessary) in the International League Governor’s Cup.
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The CaryCitizen Calendar of Events is edited by Lindsey Chester.
Cary, NC — Big weekend in and around Cary with everything from Eid to Spoon. Read more
Trophies full of cash for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams
Cary, NC- It’s now only 2 weeks away: the 5th annual Cary Scavenger Hunt, and we have ramped up the fun once again. Read more
Cary, NC — The long days of summer come to a symbolic (if not actual) end this Labor Day weekend. The weather looks fine and here are a few things to do in Cary and across the Triangle. Read more