Story by Lindsey Chester, photos by Brooke Meyer.

Cary, NC – The weather was almost tropical for The Three Kings Parade in Bond Park last Saturday, January 7th, culminating the holiday season for the Latino community.Parade-goers from around the Triangle gathered along the parade route to welcome the Three Kings who walked at the close of the parade symbolizing the Three Maji who came from the East bearing gifts for the baby Jesus.

Among the parade marchers were several dance troupes and organzations representing various Latin American countries with residents here in the community. These included St Michael’s Catholic Church carrying banners for Mexico, the Del Rosario Dancers plus groups from Principe and Princesas, Peru, Bolivia, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico.

Background of Event

Diamante’s  Estrella de la Esperanza (Star of Hope) Campaign culminates with the Día de los Reyes Parade (Three Kings Day Parade). Traditionally, January 6th is a very important day, especially for children, for it is on this eve that gifts are exchanged for the holidays in most Spanish speaking and some European countries.

Many Spanish speaking countries participate in the Día de los Reyes Parade, walking in traditional dress and some with musical accompaniment. The arrival of these Tres Reyes Magos (Three Kings) bring gifts for the children in this community.

The parade concluded at the Kiwanis Shelter, where  authentic food was shared and some  parade participants performed throughout the afternoon on a stage set up in the shelter area.

At the close of the celebration, children and families were given the donations that had been collected by Diamante during the month of December. Diamante’s Christmas tree in their Downtown Cary office served as the collection site for non-persihable foods and unwrapped toys.

If you would like more information about this community sharing event, contact David Flores, president of Diamante.

Story by Hal Goodtree. Photo by Tom Nguyen.

Cary, NC – Can’t make it to London for this year’s Summer Olympics? No problem. Cary will be hosting its first-ever Olympic Trials for the U.S. Table Tennis Team starting on February 9.

The Road to London

Think of all the great opportunities for sports fans in Cary – USA Baseball, Carolina RailHawks (professional soccer), Cary Invasion (professional basketball), ACC tennis, Cross Country. Add to that list the U.S. Olympic Table Tennis trials.

Tabel Tennis is an electrifying and athletic sport. Sports fans will have a front row seat at Bond Park February 9-12.

Here’s a video from USA Table Tennis that shows highlights from the 2011 US Nationals. This match features Timothy Wang vs Samson Dubina.  You can also watch it on YouTube.

The U.S. Olympic Table Tennis trials in February will determine the make-up of the American team. A second tournament in April will determine which team from North America makes it to the 2012 Olympics.

For the nation’s top table tennis athletes, the road to London starts in Cary, NC.

Table Tennis and Cary

Almost a decade ago, the Cary Table Tennis Association approached the Town about supporting their Butterfly Cary Cup Championship. The event draws competitors and spectators from around the world. This year, $18,250 in prize money is up for grabs.

One thing led to another, and now Cary is hosting the U.S. OIympic Trials.

The 2012 Olympic Trials and Qualifying Tournament are co-hosted by the Cary Table Tennis Association, the Town of Cary, Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Triangle Sports Commission.

Scott Dupree, Vice President of the Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau said, “The U.S. Table Tennis Olympic Trials is yet another signature sporting event for the Town of Cary and strengthens the Town’s growing reputation as a superb amateur sports destination. The Trials are sure to bring plenty of national and international attention to Cary and the entire region.”

“Cary has proven itself as an excellent host for our sport with 10 years of the very successful Cary Cup. Several of our national team members have played in the Cup and praised the event. Of course dating back to my own participation in the U.S. Olympic Festival in the Triangle in 1987, the region has demonstrated its organization of, and love for, Olympic sports, and that factored into our decision as well.” - Mike Cavanaugh, CEO of USA Table Tennis

Get Tickets

The U.S. Olympic Table Tennis Trials
Bond Park, Cary, NC

Ticket Prices:

• Thursday Feb 9 – $5.00
• Friday Feb 10 – $10
• Saturday Feb 11 – $10
• Sunday Feb 12 – $10

Package price of $30 for all four days also available.

Purchase Tickets

Tickets are also available at the Cary Arts Center Box Office.

photos and story by Lindsey Chester

Cary, NC- It’s August and it’s hot, but that didn’t stop the crowds from enjoying the Ritmo Latino Festival this past Sunday in Bond Park.

Tents lined the Kiwanis shelter parking lot, serving foods from many different countries as music drifted across the park from Sertoma Amphitheatre. From Tacos to desserts and everything in between. Stalls also had crafts, artwork and jewelry for sale.

Venezuelan Folkloric Dancers perform at Ritmo Latino

Early in the day entertainment included the Venuzuelan Folkloric Dancers. The line up alternated between musical and dance groups and touched on many traditional types of Latino music.  Latino rock band Tercer Divisa Nacional Band had a modern sound that rocked Bond Park.

To help visitors enjoy the show, festival organizers kindly installed a tarp over the Sertoma Amphitheatre seating so patrons could sit in the shade.

Up in the picnic shelter a second stage was set up. The audience loved the Ballet Folklorica Guadalupano’s energetic Mexican-inspired partner dances in which the men brandished cowboy hats and fringed jackets and the ladies stomped their white boots.

The group Ballet Folklorico Guadalupano wowed the crowd with their energetic dancing

All day both stages were busy showcasing performing arts from many area groups. Mickey Mills had wowed the crowds on Friday night at the Page-Walker and his group performed mid day at the festival. The day finished with a  Mariachi band.

This is the seventh year that Diamante, with support from the Town of Cary, has hosted this fun filled cultural festival. It was free for all to attend, and it was great to see people of all different backgrounds coming out in the heat to enjoy the Latin culture that is a big part of the Triangle.

Story by Lindsey Chester. Photos by Hal Goodtree. 

Cary, NC- The Ritmo Latino Festival in Cary, presented by Diamante, showcases the food, music, dancing and fun of Latino culture. Its free to everyone next Sunday, August 7th in Bond Park.

For the seventh year in a row, Diamante has partnered with the Town of Cary Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department to host Ritmo Latino.

Diamante President David Flores emphasized that the festival is a good time for everyone. Flores noted that attendees come from as far away as Fayetteville and Charlotte and one of the artists travels all the way from Asheville.

Uniting Latinos through Art and Culture

That phrase is at the top of the Diamante website. But more than that, this event aims to encourage understanding and appreciation of Latino culture by non-Latinos. Flores was quick to point out the statistics about the growing Latino population in our state and the nation. Today Latinos comprise about 16% of the US population.  It is projected that by 2050 that number will grow to 42%.

They are a diverse group, with backgrounds in Central America, Europe, the Caribbean and Mexico. Not one style of music or dance or food.

Fun for the Kids

The Carolina RailHawks are a sponsor of the festival. They will hold 2 soccer clinics for children (boys and girls) ages 5-13. Their mascot, Swoops will interact with the kids.

A children’s’ area will include face painting, a game truck with video games, a booth from Be Active, and paintball retooled with foam balls.

For the second year, the Ritmo Lounge will be set up where festival goers can help paint a moveable mural on canvas. Flores mentioned that at the Diamante office they have 6 of these murals on display.

Radio station and event sponsor, Jefa,  will be broadcasting live from the festival during the day.

Triangle Salsa All Stars perform at Ritmo Latino 2010

Music and More

Musical and dance groups will perform throughout the day.

Four bands will grace the stage at Sertoma Amphitheater encompassing island music, salsa and traditional Mexican music. And you can’t have a Latin festival without a little Salsa! Visitors will get a lessons in salsa and zumba.

Preview

On August 5th,  Mickey Mills & Tropic Orchestra, two of the festival bands,  will perform in the last concert of the Starlight Concert Series at Page-Walker Arts and History Center. 

Trinidad native and Carrboro resident Mickey Mills has pounded out Caribbean sounds on his 55-gallon steel drum around the Triangle, opening up for acts like Kenny Chesney. His smooth reggae and positive lyrics make for a rousing family-oriented listening experience.

Tropic Orchestra is a Latin dance band comprised of veteran musicians from the United States, Puerto Rico, Colombia and Venezuela. Frontman Ricardo Diquez, known as “TNT”, will end the series with a high-tempo Latin bang!

This special event is made possible by the Friends of the Page-Walker Hotel, PineCone, Diamante, Inc. and the American Turkish Association-NC.

About Diamante

The Diamante Group is headquartered in downtown Cary in the Cooper building on N. Academy Street. Founded by Lisette Watko 17 years ago in her house and has grown tremendously.  Board members live throughout the Triangle, they chose Cary because of its central location.

Diamante also promotes higher education with 2 scholarships. The Diamante Awards gala is held in October, and for the 16th year, Diamante will announce awards for outstanding leaders in the community. The youth award is a monetary scholarship for 2 high school or college students.

The group hosts four events a year to help raise funding and awareness. In January, they hold The Star of Hope Campaign at the Herb Young Community Center. This event encompasses a tree lighting, charitable giving and a parade. In the Spring there is a book fair to promote literacy. In August there is Ritmo Latino festival and then in October the Diamante Awards.

Look for these events to be featured in CaryCitizen and in our Calendar of Events.

Event Info

Ritmo Latino
Saturday, August 7th
Noon- 6pm
Free to the public

Bond Park
801 High House Road
The Sertoma Amphitheater and Kiwanis Shelter areas

For this and other great Cary events, visit the CaryCitizen Calendar of events. If you would like us to post your Cary event, contact Lindsey Chester.

Story by Hal Goodtree. Photo by Jeri Gloege.

Cary, NC – This Saturday, June 18, the Cary Senior Center will host its annual Giant Yard Sale.

Senior Center Giant Yard Sale

Who doesn’t love a yard sale? Personally, I dream of finding a 1958 Martin guitar in a cardboard carrying case for $100.

Proceeds go to participating Senior Citizen clubs as well as the Cary Senior Center, a beehive of activity in Bond Park. The Cary Teen Council will be selling refreshments and lunch.

Expect to find clothes, books, toys, furniture, collectables, jewelry, electronics, vintage items, holiday decorations and lots more hidden treasure.

Donations

If you have something to donate, bring it to the Cary Senior Center in Bond Park on Thursday, June 16 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Friday, June 17 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Event Details

Giant Yard Sale
Cary Senior Center
Saturday June 18, 2011
9 am – 6 pm
120 Maury Odell Place (in Bond Park)
Cary, NC

Cash only, please. Rain or shine – the event is indoors.

Story by Lindsey Chester, photos by Brooke Meyer.

I don’t have a dog, but that didn’t stop me from having a great time at Cary’s Dog Days of June held Saturday, June 4.

Dog Days is a Town of Cary annual event held in Bond Park to celebrate dog ownership. Everything you might need or want to know about owning, and caring for a pet dog was available.

Rabies vaccines were administered for only $5 and micro chipping was available for $10. The Cary Teen Council manned a dog wash station.

The centerpiece of the morning was the dog Frisbee contest. Owners could sign up at 9 am to compete free of charge.  A gridded field was set up to mark throw distances and the owners stood at one end of the field to throw. Dogs had to run out to catch and run back to hand over the Frisbee. They scored points for each catch and for distance. Three judges handed out the final scores. Teams had to catch as many throws in one minute as possible.

The winners of round one competed in a second round for championship. Many of the dogs exhibited a showmanship that was completely unexpected, leaping several feet in the air to catch the disc. Prizes were awarded to the top (3) competitors. Winners qualified to compete in a regional competition, culminating in the World Canine Frisbee Disc Championship.

This year the festival was greatly expanded from last year and the fair weather increased attendance.  Doggie day cares, veterinarians, pet treats and rescue organizations all set up booths around the perimeter of the event. There was even live music in the afternoon.

If you are a dog owner and have never been – next year you must check it out.  Take your dog for a walk, and walk on over to Dog Days- the first Saturday in June.

See all the Pictures from Cary Dog Days 2011

For more of Brooke’s terrific photos, including lots of dog disk golf, visit:

Dog Days of June on Flickr

Cary, N.C. – Here’s something different: Yoga in the Park. Bond Park, that is.

YogaYou is offering a series of small-group yoga sessions en plein air on the shores of Bond Lake.

The program is for three sessions a week – Mondays and Wednesdays in the evening from 6:30-7:30 PM and Saturday mornings from 8:30 – 10:00 AM.

Classes start June 1st. A package of 13 sessions is $125. More info: YogaYou.

Story by Lindsey Chester. Photo by K. Hardy.

Cary, NC –Every year, I swear I will take my daughter over to Bond Park for the Annual Cary Kite Festival and this year the stars are in alignment for us to go. We can walk from our neighborhood using the White Oak Greenway on Saturday March 26 to watch the first demonstration at 1pm.

At this year’s festival, Kites Unlimited from Atlantic Beach will host a stunt kite demonstration at 1 p.m. and  1:45 p.m. Then the amateurs and experienced fliers can launch their kites and become eligible to win various award certificates.

Prizes

Awards will be given in several categories including:

• Youngest Kite flier
• Oldest Kite flier
• Quickest Take-off
• Best Tangle…and more

Demos

Demonstrations will continue throughout the event, depending on the wind, and award winners will be announced at 2:30 p.m. There is no cost to participate in the Kite Festival, but registration is required and will begin at 12:30 the day of the festival.

“If you don’t have a kite, registration is open for a kite-making course scheduled for the morning of the festival,” said Tracey Filomena, Recreation Program Specialist.

Building Kites

If you are looking to make a day of it, consider heading over to the Cary Senior Center for a kite building class.

The Town is offering 2 classes from 10-11:30am. at the Cary Senior Center (also in Bond Park) where kids can build their own kites to test later in the day.  “Kite Capers” art class is for ages 3-5, and “High in the Sky” is for ages 5-10. The cost of each class is $16 for residents and $21 for non-residents.

Registration is required and can be completed online using EZ-REG Web or by calling (919) 469-4100.

Event Info

• Where: Fred G. Bond Metro Park (off High House rd, Cary
• Date and Time: Saturday March 26 beginning at 1 pm.

In the case of inclement weather, the Kite Festival will move to Sunday, March 27 – same time.

For this and many other fun things to do in Cary, visit the CaryCitizen Calendar. Know of a Cary event that’s not listed? Contact calendar@carycitizen.com and we’ll add it.

Roundup by Hal Goodtree. Lonesome Larry photographed by Connie Mae, table tennis photo by Chris Newton.

Cary, NC – Another jam-packed weekend in Cary with lots on the Calendar including the Spring Musical at Green Hope, Miles for Matt 5k and the Railhawks first scrimmage against Charleston Battery. Preseason is free at Railhawks games, btw.

Table Tennis Tourney

All weekend, table tennis enthusiasts and world-class players will be gathering at Bond Park for the 9th Annual Cary Cup Table Tennis Championship.

Thursday-Sunday, March 17 – 20

Blues at the Brewery

Sat, March 19, 5pm – 8pm

The event is in Fuquay, but the band is from Cary. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with A Fifth of Blues at Aviator Brewing Company, North Carolina’s fastest-growing craft brewery.

Yes, I’m the bass player in the band. My neighbor and fellow Cary-ite Michael Pelz-Sherman (“Dr. Mike”) of MPS Trio plays keyboards. Rounding out the band, Gary Caddell plays drums, Gary Lee Ford blows the harmonica and Lonesome Larry (pictured above) plays lead.

Easy drive down 55 to Fuquay. Get directions.

Tobacco Road Marathon

Sun, March 20, 7am – 2pm

• Marathon & Half Marathon
• Fast and flat course
• Ideal Boston qualifier
• Cash Prize

Photos by Brooke Meyer and Chris Adamczyk

Cary, NC – Last winter, we tried a sledding event in Bond Park, but it was canceled due to actual snow.  So maybe it was fitting that this year’s Winter Wonderland, moved to an earlier date to beat the winter weather, also saw snow.

The logic suggests that when we schedule Winter Wonderland, it will snow. We should try scheduling it during Lazy Daze.

In any event, there was sledding this weekend in Bond Park. Mother Nature lent a hand with the season’s first snow, not quite a blizzard, but cheery nonetheless.

CaryCitizen had two photographers on the scene. If you went sledding over the weekend at Winter Wonderland in Bond Park, we may have a picture of you. Check it out:

• Winter Wonderland Slide Show 1
• Winter Wonderland Slide Show 2
  

If you have snow pictures from around Cary over the weekend, you can post them on our Facebook page.