Jingle Bells will take on a new meaning when the Town of Cary officially kicks off the holiday season this Saturday, December 6 by lighting the Town tree on the Town Hall Campus, 316 N. Academy St.; beginning at 6 p.m. listeners will be entertained with “Bells and Belles” – a series of performances that will include the St. Francis United Methodist Church bell choir and the voices of the N.C. State University Packabelles and ladies quartet, Southern Comfort.  Following the performances, WTVD news anchor Steve Daniels will lead the Cary Town Council and the Cary community in lighting the 30-foot cedar, followed by the unveiling of this year’s “Community Tree” inside Town Hall.

After the tree lighting ceremony, everyone will head indoors to the Town Hall atrium to unveil the Cary community tree. For the third year in a row, the tree features ornaments created by local organizations – including schools, churches, businesses, non-profit organizations and clubs – that reflect the intent or purpose of their organization. 

“Bring the entire family and your friends to this year’s Heart of the Holidays Celebration,” said Town of Cary Festival Coordinator Joy Ennis.  “Each year, this event provides an opportunity for the Cary community to come together and celebrate all of the joys that the holiday season offers.  In fact, there will be activities throughout the day for every member of the family to enjoy.”
 
The Heart of Cary Association’s Ole Time Winter Festival will be held on the streets of downtown Cary from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Festival-goers can enjoy arts and crafts, entertainment, food, activities, and more. Downtown shops will be open all day. 

Returning to Heart of the Holidays this year is Santa’s Workshop from 10 a.m. to noon. Parents are invited to bring children 10 and under to the Herb Young Community Center, 101 Wilkinson Ave., for hands-on crafts, live entertainment and a chance to see a special visitor from the North Pole.  While at Santa’s workshop, support the Cary Teen Council’s food drive by sending each child with two non-perishable food items. All contributions will be given to a local charity.

From 3 p.m. until 5:30 p.m., festival goers can catch local actors performing holiday-themed one act plays written by the Cary Playwrights’ Forum.  The performances are appropriate for ages 12 and above.

Holiday cheer continues from 2:30 p.m. until 5: 30 p.m. at the Annual Page-Walker Arts & History Center Open House.  Decorated for the holidays by the Friends of the Page-Walker Hotel, guests will be able to visit the Cary Heritage Museum, enjoy refreshments and learn about century-old holiday traditions while touring Cary’s own 1868 historic hotel.  New this year, free carriage rides will be offered from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m.

In case of rain, the Tree Lighting and the Community Tree presentation will be held in the Town Council Chambers.  For a complete schedule of the holiday events and more, see Heart of the Holidays Web site or call (919) 469-4061.