CARY, N.C. — After over 20 years of dreaming and inspired planning, Cary is welcoming the community into the new Downtown Cary Park for the Park’s first official event on Nov. 19. The official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will be supplemented by a day-long celebration complete with live entertainment, light shows, celebrity meet and greets, and more.
“This event is dedicated to the work of Cary’s Town Council and the individuals who have helped make this stunning Park possible, and we’re thrilled to finally welcome the community into Cary’s new downtown oasis,” said Joy Ennis, general manager of Downtown Cary Park. “We hope visitors find that Downtown Cary Park is a reflection of Cary’s commitment to excellence, innovation and creating a vibrant and thriving community in the heart of the Triangle.”
During the event, attendees can get a firsthand look at all that Downtown Cary Park has to offer, including amenities like The Nest, a spot for kids and adults alike to enjoy imaginative play with two cardinal play structures and a Splash Pad for fun on hot days; The Barkyard, a place to let your dog run free and connect with other dog lovers in the community; The Bark Bar, an open air pavilion adjacent to the Barkyard that offers libations for both guests and pets; Park Street Courts, the Park’s active recreation area with table tennis, volleyball, putt-putt, and more; and The Skywalk, an elevated walkway that carries visitors into the tree canopy 17 feet above the Park. Downtown Cary Park will be open seven days a week, from 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. ET.
The Nov. 19 event will include a full day of engaging activities, such as live performances, a Bandit Flight Team flyover, arts and crafts, synchronized light shows, food trucks, Park tours and more. Meet and greets with celebrity guests will be available throughout the day, including a photo and autograph session with Jim O’Heir, an actor and comedian best known for his role as Jerry Gergich in the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation, and photo opportunities with the Durham Bulls’ own Ripken The Bat Dog and local celebrity canines Ruby Rose and Emma Grace. The official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. EST at the Park’s Great Lawn Performance Pavilion. Read on for the full itinerary for the celebration:
- 10 a.m. — Shuttles begin running from Cary Academy
- 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. — Meet & Greet: Ripken the Bat Dog
- 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. — Food Truck Rodeo
- 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. — Interactive Performances by Imagine Circus
- 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Live Performances by Shaleigh Dance Works
- noon – 2:30 p.m. — Musical Performance by Al Strong Quintet & Friends
- 1:30 – 2:15 p.m. – Barks n Rec Trivia Round 1
- 3 – 4 p.m. — Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
- 4 – 7 p.m. — Paperhand Puppet Intervention
- 4:30 – 5:15 p.m. – Barks n Rec Trivia Round 2
- 5 – 7 p.m. — Meet & Greet: Jim O’Heir
- 5 – 7 p.m. — Meet & Greet: Celebrity Dogs Ruby Rose & Emma Grace
- 6:30 – 7:15 p.m. – Barks n Rec Trivia Round 3
- 6 - 11 p.m. — Fountain Light & Music Show
- 8:45 p.m. — Last Shuttle Departs the Park
For a full schedule and information on parking and transportation for this event please visit https://bit.ly/DCP-Ribbon.
To learn more about Downtown Cary Park and stay up to date on the latest happenings, visit downtowncarypark.com and sign up for the Park’s monthly newsletter.
About Downtown Cary Park
More than twenty years in the making, Downtown Cary Park spans seven acres in the heart of Downtown Cary surrounded by Academy, Walker, Park and Walnut Streets. Downtown Cary Park is intentionally designed with amenities and programming that everyone can enjoy, from active recreation at Park Street Courts to the respite of the botanical gardens, food and beverage facilities like The Bark Bar and a grab-and-go market in Academy Pavilion, The Nest Play Area featuring iconic, signature cardinal play structures, and the Great Lawn Pavilion for signature performances.
About Cary, NC
Cary is a thriving community in the heart of the Triangle area of North Carolina, between Raleigh and the renowned Research Triangle Park. The Triangle area repeatedly has ranked among the top regions in the country to live or work, to find a home or start a business, to raise a family or retire.
Primary Contact
Austin Hughes, Downtown Park Marketing Supervisor, (919) 653-7181
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