Hi Cary!

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

— Jake from Cary Digest

The Town of Cary will host a Budget Open House on Tuesday, April 7 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Cary Senior Center ballroom, inviting residents to play a direct role in shaping the community’s future. Designed as a drop in event, the open house will give attendees an inside look at how the Town’s budget is built and provide opportunities to share the priorities that matter most for the year ahead. An educational budget presentation will repeat throughout the evening, and departments will host interactive booths where guests can connect with staff, ask questions, and learn more about the services and programs supported by local tax dollars and fees.

Input gathered during the event will help inform the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, which is currently under development and will be recommended to Council this spring by Interim Town Manager Russ Overton. Overton said the annual budget funds essential services such as Police and Fire, parks and greenways, road maintenance, and long term planning efforts, and emphasized that resident feedback helps strengthen both the spending plan and the community. Those unable to attend can watch live coverage on Cary TV, and the Town’s social media channels, and additional opportunities for input will be available through Cary 311, the Public Speaks Out portion of Council meetings, and upcoming budget public hearings.

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P.S. Want to advertise in Cary Digest? Reply to this email or reach out at [email protected]!

Inside H Mart, the food court is one of the most rewarding casual dining stops in the area. It is bright, bustling, and refreshingly straightforward. You order at the counter, find a table, and within minutes you are digging into Korean fried chicken, bubbling soft tofu stew, hand pulled noodles, or a properly done bowl of jajangmyeon. It is an easy place to visit with friends or family since everyone can choose something different and still sit together.

What sets this food court apart is consistency and depth of flavor. The soups arrive steaming, the portions are generous, and the dishes taste like they are meant to, not watered down for a crowd. A stone bowl bibimbap comes out sizzling, kimbap is neatly rolled and fresh, and the ramen has real body. It is not polished or trendy. It is simply good food served quickly, at a fair price, in a space that feels lively and welcoming.

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Registration is now open for Cary’s compost workshops, giving residents the chance to pick up free bagged compost and learn how to successfully manage a backyard bin. Held at Cary’s historic Good Hope Farm from March 6 to 9, these hands on classes provide participants with guidebooks and expert instruction on turning kitchen scraps into a valuable environmental resource. The workshops are a great way to prepare for spring planting while reducing household waste and supporting sustainability efforts in the community.

Apex Restaurant Week
Time: Lunch & dinner hours (Feb 23 – Mar 1)
Location: Various restaurants, Apex, NC
Description: Fixed-price lunch and dinner menus at dozens of Apex restaurants during the town’s annual restaurant week.
Link: https://www.apexnc.org/1741/Restaurant-Week

Oscar Mayer Wienermobile at Bricks ’n Brews (Holly Springs)
Time: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Bricks ’n Brews, 1118 Kentworth Dr, Holly Springs, NC
Description: The iconic 27-foot Wienermobile visits this LEGO-themed café for photo ops, trivia, Wiener Whistles, and fun freebies.
Link: https://www.wral.com/lifestyles/family/trey-oshea-wienermobile-cary-nc-february-2026/

Black Expressions — Art Exhibit Reception
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
Description: Opening reception showcasing local Black artists, with a chance to meet the creators and enjoy light bites from Christine’s Plates.
Link: https://www.hollyspringsnc.gov/2906/Black-Expressions

Black Expressions — Live Performance Showcase
Time: 7:15 PM
Location: Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
Description: Evening of live comedy, music, dance, and spoken word celebrating Black voices, hosted by comedian-historian Byron Johnson (tickets $10).
Link: https://www.hollyspringsnc.gov/2906/Black-Expressions

Final Friday Cary Art Loop
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Downtown Cary (multiple venues)
Description: Downtown Cary’s galleries and shops open late for a self-guided art crawl featuring local art exhibitions and live music at various venues.
Link: https://triangleonthecheap.com/final-friday-cary-art-loop/

Game Night
Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Downtown Cary Park, 321 S Academy St, Cary, NC
Description: Black & Nerdy Gamers (BANG) take over the park’s Academy Pavilion for a free game night full of trivia, music bingo, and nerdy games celebrating Black culture.
Link: https://thetriangleweekender.com/event/game-night-with-black-and-nerdy-gamers/

Karaoke Bingo Nights
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: KōMANA Brewing Company, 1020 Ryan Rd, Cary, NC
Description: A high-energy twist on karaoke meets bingo – grab a mic, sing your heart out, and mark your bingo card in this free weekly Friday night party at a kombucha brewery.
Link: https://www.facebook.com/komanabrewing

Cary Downtown Farmers Market
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: 160 E Park St, Cary, NC
Description: Shop fresh produce, baked goods, crafts, and more at Cary’s weekly open-air farmers market (winter hours in effect).
Link: https://caryfarmersmarket.com

Holly Springs Farmers Market
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: 300 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
Description: Local farmers market featuring farm-fresh produce, meats, eggs, and artisanal foods in the heart of Holly Springs (open year-round on Saturday mornings).
Link: https://www.hollyspringsnc.gov/319/Farmers-Market

Apex Farmers Market
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: 220 N Salem St, Apex, NC
Description: Community-focused farmers market at the Apex Depot with seasonal fruits and veggies, local food vendors, and handmade goods (winter hours 9–12).
Link: https://www.apexfarmersmarket.com/

Youth Advocacy Summit
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave, Cary, NC
Description: A dynamic, free summit empowering students (ages 8–18) to become changemakers through interactive workshops on civic engagement, storytelling, and community leadership (registration required).
Link: https://www.carync.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/24828/3405

Apex Prom Shoppe – Free Prom Dresses & Accessories
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Apex United Methodist Church, 100 S Hughes St, Apex, NC
Description: High school students can browse over 1,000 donated prom dresses (plus shoes and jewelry) and take one home for free at this annual community pop-up boutique (no appointment needed).
Link: https://triangleonthecheap.com/apex-prom-shoppe/

Cary Really Really Free Market
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Walnut Street Park, 1420 Walnut St, Cary, NC
Description: A no-money swap meet where everything is completely free – bring usable items to give away (or nothing at all) and take home treasures offered by others in a celebration of sharing.
Link: https://triangleonthecheap.com/cary-really-really-free-market/

Live Music: Cole Spade at The Williams House Taproom
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: The Williams House Craft Taproom, 210 E Chatham St, Cary, NC
Description: Sip a craft beer or cocktail and enjoy a free live performance by singer-songwriter Cole Spade in a cozy historic house-turned-taproom in downtown Cary.
Link: https://www.thewilliamshousecary.com/

The Willie Hinton Collective – RISE: The Story of Love and Resilience
Time: 7:00 PM (Doors 6:30 PM)
Location: Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave, Cary, NC
Description: An interactive dance, theater, and music production exploring love, trauma, and healing in Black history, presented by renowned choreographer Willie Hinton and an ensemble of local artists (tickets $14–$20).
Link: https://www.carync.gov/recreation-enjoyment/events/concerts/curated-concerts-at-the-cary-arts-center

A Good Time: Stand-Up Comedy Showcase
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: Flight Deck, 9521 Lumley Rd, Morrisville, NC
Description: Grab a drink at this aviation-themed bar and laugh out loud at a free comedy showcase featuring a lineup of up-and-coming stand-up comics from around the Triangle (21+ audience).
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-good-time-stand-up-comedy-showcase-at-flight-deck-tickets-1234567890

Che Durena Comedy Show
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Raleigh Improv, 1224 Parkside Main St, Cary, NC
Description: Internet sensation Che Durena (known for his viral TikTok humor) caps off his 5-show weekend at Raleigh Improv with an uncensored evening of stand-up comedy (ages 21+ only).
Link: https://improv.com/raleigh

Cary Underground Market
Time: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Bond Brothers Beer Company, 202 E Cedar St, Cary, NC
Description: Monthly outdoor market and concert series with 40+ local maker booths, live bands all afternoon, food trucks, and plenty of Bond Brothers craft beer (free admission, family-friendly).
Link: https://makrs.com/cary-underground-market

Oscar Animated Shorts 2026 – Screening
Time: 2:30 PM
Location: The Cary Theater, 122 E Chatham St, Cary, NC
Description: Catch an afternoon screening of this year’s Academy Award-nominated animated short films – a special showcase of the world’s best short-form animation (one showing only).
Link: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/98436588/oscar-animated-shorts-2026-cary-the-cary-theater

Bluegrass Open Jam
Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Bond Brothers Eastside, 602 E Chatham St, Cary, NC
Description: Bring an instrument and join in or just kick back with a beer – this weekly bluegrass jam session invites musicians of all levels to trade licks and harmonies in an informal, welcoming setting.
Link: https://www.facebook.com/bondbroseast

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