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Happy Friday, Cary!

It’s finally here: the 49th annual Lazy Daze festival in downtown Cary. Today’s issue covers everything you need to know about the event, plus a reminder that the Cary Downtown Farmer’s Market will still be on, and it’s absolutely worth the crowd.

It’s also showcasing an amazing charity that helps a good cause: the Vets to Vets United 5K9 Dog Jog! More on that later.

Here’s what you can expect in Today’s issue:

• Lazy Daze

• 5K9 Dog Jog

• Town Hall Closure

• Other events it Lazy Daze just isn’t for you

— Jake from Cary Digest

News

Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival Returns This Weekend

Cary’s signature arts festival, Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival, returns for its 49th year this Saturday and Sunday, August 23–24. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day across the Cary Town Hall campus and Downtown Cary Park.

More than 250 artists from across the country will showcase pottery, painting, jewelry, woodwork, glass, and other crafts. Festivalgoers can also enjoy live performances on four stages, food from over two dozen vendors, and interactive art experiences. For younger visitors, Kid Daze offers crafts, games, and the popular Kid Collectors Market, where children can purchase smaller works directly from participating artists.

Lazy Daze has been a Cary tradition since 1977, drawing tens of thousands of visitors each year to celebrate creativity and community. Attendees can text LAZY to 51597 to receive festival updates throughout the weekend.

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Charity Spotlight: 5K9 Dog Job— Vets to Vets United!

Looking for a fun way to give back while getting active? The 5K9 Dog Jog at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary is your chance to support local disabled Veterans and their service dogs in training. Whether you run, walk, jog, or just cheer from the sidelines, pups welcome! This family- and pet-friendly event is all about community, healing, and the life-changing bond between Veterans and rescued shelter dogs. Proceeds go directly to Vets to Vets United, Inc., a local nonprofit covering the $24,000 training cost per Veteran/dog team.

The race kicks off Sunday, October 5, with check-in at 9:00 AM and the opening ceremony at 10:00 AM. Alongside the run, enjoy product vendors, raffle prizes, snacks, veteran and rescue organizations, and a DJ to keep the energy high. Awards will be handed out for top finishers and even the youngest and oldest participants.

👉 Don’t miss the August 31 early registration deadline if you want to snag a race t-shirt! Sign up today, bring your furry friend, and help save lives: one Veteran and one dog at a time.

Town Updates

Town Hall Closure From Today Through Sunday

Town Hall will be closed in preparation for the 49th Annual Lazy Daze Festival this weekend, beginning right now, and will open up again on Monday after the festivities end!

Community Events

Cary Downtown Farmers Market

When: Saturday, 8:00 a.m.

Where: Park Street next to Downtown Cary Park

The Cary Downtown Farmers Market brings together a lineup of vendors each Saturday offering all locally-grown and locally-made goods. Shoppers can browse freshly harvested produce, handmade foods, and artisan crafts, while families will find kid-friendly programs like the Farmers Market Passport and the Eat-A-Rainbow initiative that encourages healthy eating. SNAP/EBT shoppers can also take advantage of a matching program available at the info booth. Learn more about the market’s new location, nutrition programs, and weekly vendor updates on their website

If you haven’t had the chance to attend this yet, this is the perfect weekend!

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Weather

Friday

67🌡️83 | ⛅

Saturday

67🌡️84 | ⛅

Sunday

69🌡️86 | ⛈️20%

Monday

66🌡️87 | ⛈️20%

Weather

Things to Do This Weekend

Friday, August 22

Demo Daze
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Downtown Cary Park, 321 S Academy St, Cary, NC
Description: Free family art festival with live artist demonstrations (watercolor, pottery, enameling, calligraphy, etc.) and a kids’ “Doodle Daze” interactive art zone.
Link: https://triangleonthecheap.com/demo-daze-cary/

Morrisville Music in the Park: Sterling Scott
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Indian Creek Trailhead Park, 101 Town Hall Dr, Morrisville, NC
Description: Free outdoor concert featuring soul/R&B singer Sterling Scott, with food trucks and lawn games.
Link: https://triangleonthecheap.com/music-park-morrisville/

Steve Byrne Comedy Show (Improv Cary)
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Raleigh Improv, 1224 Parkside Main St, Cary, NC
Description: Stand-up comedy by Steve Byrne (“Just Pay Fees” tour) at the Cary Improv (21+ show).
Link: https://improv.com/byrne-raleigh/

Steve Byrne Comedy Show (Improv Cary)
Time: 9:15 PM
Location: Raleigh Improv, 1224 Parkside Main St, Cary, NC
Description: Second set of Steve Byrne’s stand-up comedy at the Cary Improv (21+ show).
Link: https://improv.com/byrne-raleigh/

Shin Godzilla (4K Film)
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: The Cary Theater, 122 E Chatham St, Cary, NC
Description: Special 4K screening of the 2016 Japanese monster movie Shin Godzilla at the Cary Theater.
Link: https://thecarytheater.com

Saturday, August 23

Apex Farmers Market
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Depot Plaza, 220 N Salem St, Apex, NC
Description: Weekly open-air market with local produce, meats, seafood, baked goods, crafts and more.
Link: https://www.apexfarmersmarket.com

Rhythm & Reels: Blue Cactus Concert (Apex)
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Apex Nature Park Amphitheatre, 2600 Evans Rd, Apex, NC
Description: Free outdoor concert under the stars featuring Western NC funk/garage band Blue Cactus, part of Apex’s Rhythm & Reels summer series.
Link: https://thehalle.org/1673/Rhythm-Reels---FREE

Cary Downtown Farmers Market
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: 160 E Park St, Cary, NC
Description: Weekly open-air market with fresh produce, local meats, artisanal foods, crafts and live music.
Link: https://www.caryfarmersmarket.com

Holly Springs Farmers Market
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: 300 W Ballentine St (Leslie-Alford Mims House), Holly Springs, NC
Description: Seasonal market with ~40 local vendors offering fresh produce, meats, baked goods, crafts and specialty foods.
Link: https://hsfarmersmarket.com

Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival – Day 1
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Cary Town Hall Campus (Downtown), 316 N Academy St, Cary, NC
Description: Annual two-day festival with 250+ artists/vendors, four stages of live entertainment, 25+ food vendors, a beer garden and kids’ “Kid Daze” activity area.
Link: https://www.carync.gov/recreation-enjoyment/events/festivals/lazy-daze-arts-and-crafts-festival

It’s Never Over: Jeff Buckley (Film)
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: The Cary Theater, 122 E Chatham St, Cary, NC
Description: Documentary about singer Jeff Buckley’s life and music, screening at the Cary Theater.
Link: https://thecarytheater.com

Steve Byrne Comedy Show (Improv Cary)
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Raleigh Improv, 1224 Parkside Main St, Cary, NC
Description: Stand-up comedy by Steve Byrne at the Cary Improv (21+ show).
Link: https://improv.com/byrne-raleigh/

Steve Byrne Comedy Show (Improv Cary)
Time: 9:00 PM
Location: Raleigh Improv, 1224 Parkside Main St, Cary, NC
Description: Late-night stand-up comedy set by Steve Byrne at the Cary Improv (21+ show).
Link: https://improv.com/byrne-raleigh/

Shin Godzilla (4K Film)
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: The Cary Theater, 122 E Chatham St, Cary, NC
Description: 4K restored screening of Shin Godzilla (2016) at The Cary Theater.
Link: https://thecarytheater.com

Sunday, August 24

Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival – Day 2
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Cary Town Hall Campus (Downtown), 316 N Academy St, Cary, NC
Description: Second day of the annual arts & crafts festival with local artists, live music, food trucks, craft beer and family-friendly activities.
Link: https://www.carync.gov/recreation-enjoyment/events/festivals/lazy-daze-arts-and-crafts-festival

The Princess Bride (Family Movie)
Time: 12:00 PM
Location: The Cary Theater, 122 E Chatham St, Cary, NC
Description: $4 family matinee screening of The Princess Bride as part of the Cary Theater’s summer film series.
Link: https://thecarytheater.com

UB40: The Relentless Tour 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Pkwy, Cary, NC
Description: Live concert featuring British reggae/pop band UB40 (with special guest The Fixx) performing their hits on tour.
Link: https://www.boothamphitheatre.com/events/detail/ub40

It’s Never Over: Jeff Buckley (Film)
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: The Cary Theater, 122 E Chatham St, Cary, NC
Description: Evening screening of the Jeff Buckley documentary at the Cary Theater.
Link: https://thecarytheater.com

Shin Godzilla (4K Film)
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: The Cary Theater, 122 E Chatham St, Cary, NC
Description: 4K screening of Shin Godzilla (2016) at The Cary Theater.
Link: https://thecarytheater.com

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