The first phase of myCary, Cary’s new recreation registration system, was launched in December. Over 1,400 program registrations were processed the first day, including online, in person, and by telephone. The new system provides a more intuitive, robust and mobile-friendly way to search and sign up for programs, classes and camps. Developers and staff devoted over 6,000 hours of time to create this system, the first recreation registration system in the country built on the Salesforce platform. This project is part of Cary’s larger effort to move systems to a central platform, providing a 360 view of citizens and how we engage with them.

Registration for youth winter basketball reached an all-time high for the 2020 season, totaling 1,675 youth from ages 9 to 18. This total represents an increase of 1.9 percent over last year’s previous all-time high and a 14.4 percent over the 2015 season, which was the last year before the leagues were split into zones. Zone-based registration allows participants to practice and play closer to where they live and has been instrumental in the growth of the program, particularly in western Cary where over half of the participants play.

The Annual Downtown Urban Open Disc Golf Tournament held on Town Hall Campus sold out in 39 seconds. The event is the result of a partnership with Capital Area Disc League (CADL). Over its seven-year history, the event has raised more than $15,000 for the Play It Forward Scholarship Fund, including $3,100 in 2019.

During the second quarter of 2019, WakeMed Soccer Park demonstrated why it is considered the premier soccer facility in the country. It started with the NC Courage and NCFC advancing through playoff action and then hosting the National Women’s Soccer Championship with the Courage, winning for the second year in a row. WakeMed played host to the Women’s International Champions Cup (ICC), which included professional teams from Europe competing head-to-head against the NC Courage. In November, Cary hosted the ACC women’s and men’s soccer championships with UNC Women and Virginia Men being crowned champions. These exciting championships were followed by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) state soccer championships. Finally, Cary hosted the NCAA Men’s College Cup final four for the 13th time in which teams battled through one of the wettest nights the soccer park has ever seen. In the end, Georgetown raised the trophy after multiple rounds of penalty kicks.

In early October, Cary hosted three BMX freestyle events: the USA Cycling BMX Freestyle National Championships, the COPACI Pan-American BMX Freestyle Continental Championships and the Cary BMX Freestyle Competition (international in scope). The US Cycling Federation’s first-ever national championship for BMX was held at SK8 Cary. These events attracted top athletes from all over the world, including Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela and Australia. Athletes competing in Cary were in the top of their field, holding a combined 16 X-Games medals. An estimated 1,250 spectators visited Sk8-Cary during the three days, creating by far the largest event of this nature ever held in the Triangle area.

 

Council members Ed Yerha, Ken George and Don Frantz joined Council Member Jack Smith and nearly 400 veterans and guests for Cary’s annual Veterans Day Lunch at Herb Young Community Center on Friday, November 8. Council Member Jack Smith introduced Congressman David Price and Paul S. Crews, Director of the Durham VA Health Care System, for comments and the keynote address. More than 60 volunteers served lunch while guests were entertained by the Cary Town Band and the Cary Christian School Concert Choir.

On November 11, approximately 300 people attended the Veterans Day observance at Veterans Freedom Park. Council Member Smith introduced The Old North State Brass Band and welcomed speakers Lt. Col. Bernardine Donato and Chaplain Carmen Battle. New in 2019 was a WWII display of vehicles, 

Diwali

Nearly 13,000 people attended the 19th annual Cary Diwali Festival at Booth Amphitheatre on Saturday, October 12. Guests enjoyed music, dance, a bazaar featuring more than 30 businesses and sponsors, delicious food, a display on Indian literature and fireworks over Symphony Lake. A highlight of the event was the Town of Cary council/staff dance routine featuring Mayor Pro Tem Lori Bush, Assistant Attorney Matt Pentz, PRCR Director Doug McRainey, Project Manager Matt Wetherell, and General Manager Taylor Traversari.

Heart of the Holidays

Heart of the Holidays was celebrated with numerous activities. The Gifting Tree Project returned to Academy Street with a record 66 trees supporting local charities. The Cary VFW post 7383 received the most votes. The Gingerbread House Competition also saw a record number of participants with 34 houses submitted that were hosted by 15 downtown businesses. Winners included judge’s choice “Cute as a Button” by Lindsay Deibler. Hometown Spirit Award winner Anthony Blackmon flipped the switch at the official Cary Christmas Tree Lighting on Town Hall Campus, accompanied by Mayor Harold Weinbrecht and council members Ed Yerha, Jennifer Robinson, Don Frantz and Ken George. A crowd of over 300 enjoyed performances by more than 26 acts before heading inside Town Hall for a reception with hot chocolate and s’mores. Nearby, the Page-Walker hotel offered old-fashioned Christmas fun with a Holiday Open House featuring Victorian carolers, Father Christmas and carriage rides. Cary Teen Council hosted Santa’s Workshop at Herb Young Community Center.

Menorah Lighting

A Menorah Lighting was held at the Cary Arts Center on December 23 in observance of Hanukkah. Mayor Harold Weinbrecht attended while Mayor Pro Tem Lori Bush provided remarks highlighting her recent experiences in Israel. More than 100 people braved the rain and cold to join in the celebration of lights.

Kwanzaa

The Cary Arts Center welcomed a capacity crowd for the 25th Annual Cary Kwanzaa Celebration. Marking this milestone year, the celebration welcomed Dr. Maulana Karenga, the creator of the pan-African cultural holiday Kwanzaa and the Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles). The event is co-sponsored by Ujima Group Inc., which was honored at the event for its dedicated service. Highlights included cultural performances and the traditional Kwanzaa ceremony with libation, candle lighting and Harambee Circle.

A rolling light parade made its way around Symphony Lake Greenway and surrounding streets on November 1. The Greenways Glow Ride was part of the schedule of events highlighting 40 Years of Cary Greenways. About 75 citizens participated by decorating bikes, scooters, strollers and helmets with lights for either a 1.3 or 6-mile ride. The ride finished with hot chocolate and cannoli. Many participants encouraged the Town to repeat the event in 2020.

Forty years ago, Cary built its first greenway, a 0.15-mile section between Tarbert Drive and Gatehouse
Drive. This first greenway was commemorated on Saturday, November 2 with the installation of a new sign documenting its history and a fabulous piece of public art, a 2,000-pound stone sculpture by North Carolina artists Carl and Ethan Peverall. This stone cairn marks Cary’s first greenway in a similar way that Scottish and Native American cultures stacked stone cairns to mark special sites. Mayor Weinbrecht and Council Member Ken George spoke at the event, and Council Members Robinson and Yerha attended. The 0.15-mile section of greenway was the beginning of something big as Cary now has more than 80 miles of greenway.

The Cary Theater was recognized by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for hosting the national premiere of the movie “Feeling Through,” a groundbreaking film featuring a deaf-blind lead actor. This event was hosted in conjunction with the Helen Keller National Center and brought about 30 interpreters from all over the United States to provide specialized interpreting services for patrons with all levels of disability. 

 

Renovation of the lobby at Bond Park Community Center has been completed. The lobby was completely redesigned, including accessibility modifications. Interior finishes were updated, and energy efficient lighting was installed. New sidewalk improvements enabled multi-purpose rooms to be fully utilized during the construction process.

Staff and Specialized Recreation friends gathered for their annual Night of Giving and Service as part of Cary’s annual Interact Holiday Toy Drive, collecting and donating backpacks, school supplies, art supplies and games, along with over $400 in gift cards. Participants made holiday cards for the families, enjoying time together during an evening filled with the joy of serving others.

A recent community event at Good Hope Farm combined environmental service with opioid education. After a local family lost their child to an overdose, they wanted to create an event in honor of their daughter who loved the outdoors. With the help of Outreach Coordinator Sarah Justice, Corporal John Maia, Senior Officer Scott Schulz and Officer Andre Lopez, over 50 community members spent hours volunteering in a wildlife habitat. Police officers followed up with informative outreach about how the opiod epidemic is claiming lives in the community. A highlight of the event included a thoughtful Q&A session between local teens and police officers on navigating crucial conversations with their peers 
regarding addiction.

Thirty middle schoolers enjoyed pizza, music and glow-in-the-dark Cosmic Asteroids Dodgeball at Middle Creek Community Center. The event was so popular that adults are now requesting a session just for parents.

On Halloween, over 100 “mummies” and their sons participated in a costume contest, danced the Monster Mash, played spooky fun games and topped their ice cream with a variety of “creepy crawly” items at the Mummy and Son Ball.