Lazy Daze Festival expands to two days

For the first time, Cary's long-time Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival will run for two days - this Saturday and Sunday.

As many as 50,000 people are expected to head to downtown Cary for the 40th annual festival, which will feature more than 300 artists from 16 states this weekend. The event also includes food, make-and-take activities and a special entertainment area just for kids. The hours for the free festival are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, and 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday.

Children will enjoy the Lazy Daze Kid's World, which you'll find in the courtyard between Town Hall and the Cary Police Department and Technology Services building. Entertainment includes performances from Professor Whizzpop, Kyle the Juggler, a storytime and interactive theater.

There also will be an art activity, craft area, a face painter and games, along with Italian ice and ice cream available for purchase.

Four other stages will be scattered around downtown featuring live performances. The Cary High School and Green Hope High School marching bands will play the national anthem at the opening ceremony.

"There's going to be tents, artists, lining the street there, there's going to be our main stage in front of the chamber. We also have four other stages with entertainment," said Lyman Collins, cultural arts manager.

If you're going, it might be best to hop on the free, handicapped accessible shuttles that will run from Cary Towne Center and Green Hope High School. C-Tran's fixed routes also will be free to ride to and from the festival.