Cary hosted the PONY 14U and 12U fastpitch softball tournament July 17- July 22

CaryCitizen photos by Tom Mousseau

CARY, NC –Softball’s future stars played for a national title in the PONY National Fastpitch Softball Tournament which began Saturday, July 17 and continued until July 22. Champions were crowned after games held throughout Cary and in Holly Springs. Representing 13 states and 2 countries, 120 teams qualified for the 12 & Under and 14 & Under age divisions. This year’s tournament was hosted in part by the Town of Cary and the Raleigh Jaycees, in partnership with the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau.

$2 Million for Local Business

Sporting events are always a welcome economic benefit to the region. Last year, an estimated 5,000 people came to the area for the tournament, infusing over $2 million in revenue locally through lodging, food purchases, shopping and other expenditures. This year’s bonanza appears to be even greater.

Games were played at various fields in Bond Park, Thomas Brooks Park, Middle Creek Park and Green Hope High School in Cary, as well as Womble Park in Holly Springs.  All proceeds benefited the Raleigh Jaycees.

PONY, Protect our Nation’s Youth, is a non-profit corporation that is an administrative body for baseball and girl’s softball. This is PONY’s 34th year of involvement with girl’s softball. During this tournament, about 450 games by 3000 players were played in the six-day time period.

The winning teams in each category

Pony- 14U:

Bronco- 12U:

Tournament Pictures

More of Tom Mousseau’s Pony Softball pictures on Flickr:

• 14U Pictures – Flickr Set
• 12U Pictures – Flickr Set
  

News on CaryCitizen is sponsored by Great Harvest Bread Company

Ball boy at Railhawks game. Photo by Chris Adamczyk.

Cary, NC – Diamante and the Carolina Railhawks will be sponsoring a free soccer clinic for kids 5-14 at Bond Park on August 15.

Register at the Event

Registration will begin at 9:00 to allow ample time to get ready and the clinic will run from 10:00 to 1 p.m. The RailHawks will be teaching kids skills, tips and tricks to improve their game. There will also be fun and games for fans of all ages.

Soccer fans of all ages are encouraged to come out to this free event and meet the RailHawks and enjoy the day at Bond Park in Cary starting at 10:00 a.m. The first 40 Kids to register will receive a free Event T-shirt!

The clinic is part of Diamante, Inc.’s festivities as they hold their 6th annual Ritmo Latino Festival. Diamante, Inc. is dedicated to the preservation, development, and promotion of the culture, heritage, and artistic expressions of the diverse Latino/Hispanic population in North Carolina.

For More Info Visit www.diamanteinc.org or contact Rafael A. Osuba at rafael.osuba@gmail.com 919-995-9763.

News on CaryCitizen is sponsored by SAS Championship.

Cary, NC – Get ready for a good old fashioned Independence Day with music, a parade in the park, watermelon seed spitting, an ice cream eating contest and, of course, a massive onslaught of fireworks. It’ll make you want to wear a straw boater and an Uncle Sam beard.

Celebrations include the Independence Day Olde Time Celebration on July 3 at Bond Park. And, on July 4 at Koka Booth Amphitheatre, there’s a concert by the Cary Town Band and the North Carolina Symphony plus a fireworks spectacular.

All events are free and open to the public.

July 3 at Bond Park

On Saturday, July 3, at 8:30 a.m., families can participate in the annual Fishing Tournament, where prizes will be awarded for various categories. Also at 8:30 a.m., bring your decorated bike, stroller, wagon or other “ride” in preparation for the “Parade in the Park.” The parade will start promptly after a short patriotic performance by the Applause! Musical Theatre Touring Troupe.

Following the parade, various family-friendly contests will be held. The day concludes with an Independence Eve Celebration with performances by Applause! Cary Youth Theatre and the Cary Town Band.

The schedule for the Bond Park events on July 3 is as follows:

8-9:30 a.m.
Fishing Tournament (Waterfront) Registration opens at 7:30 a.m.

8:30-9:30 a.m.
Parade preparations (Kiwanis Shelter)

9:45-10 a.m.
Applause! Musical Theatre Touring Troupe (Kiwanis Shelter)

10:15-10:45 a.m.
“Parade in the Park” (Kiwanis Shelter)

11-3 p.m.
Family contests including Doughnut eating, Watermelon Eating, Watermelon Seed Spitting, Lakeside Olympics and Water Balloon Toss (Boathouse)

6:30-9:30 p.m.
Independence Eve Celebration (Sertoma Amphitheatre)

July 4 at Booth Amphitheatre

The next day, Koka Booth Amphitheatre throws open its gates at 3 p.m. on the Fourth of July to welcome the public for an afternoon of fun that culminates with an evening of festive music and the Triangle’s largest fireworks display.

While the event is free, Koka Booth Amphitheatre is offering four-seat tables for $125 per table. Price includes Lumpy’s Ice Cream and Star Spangled Swirl Bread from Great Harvest Bread Company.

Tarps, blankets and chairs are permitted; please no staking or tents.

The Amphitheatre events are as follows:

3-7 p.m.
Family Fun Zone (games and prizes for kids)

4 p.m.
Indy Model Boat Regatta (Symphony Lake)

5:30 p.m.
Ice cream eating contest (concessions area)

5:45 p.m.
Cary Town Band Concert

7:30 p.m.
North Carolina Symphony Concert

9:30 p.m.
Fireworks to follow concert at dusk

For further information, visit Independence Day at www.townofcary.org or call (919) 469-4061.

For this and other interesting events happening in Cary, check the CaryCitizen Calendar. If you have an event you would like us to add to the Calendar, please email Lindsey Chester.

Story by Lindsey Chester. Photos by Savannah Thorne and Jill Goodtree.

Cary, NC – The Town of Cary literally went to the dogs this past Saturday (June 5) as Bond Park hosted The Dog Days of June.

There was Canine Frisbee with prizes awarded to the top 3 competitors.

The American Kennel Club performed a demonstration of a Rally Course. This is a type of obstacle course where dogs must obey commands from their trainers and navigate jumps & turns.

Another great service was the micro-chipping and rabies vaccination stations. For a modest fee, pet owners could keep their dogs safe and healthy.

“With our dog park, people parks and greenways, Cary is a very pet-friendly community. Our Dog Days event is an educational opportunity for area pet owners to network and learn more about these facilities and local pet businesses,” said Bond Park Supervisor Bill Eucker.

There was a festival atmosphere, with vendor booths lining Baseball field number 4. The Meathouse was grilling, The Wake County Animal Center was educating the public about pet adoption, and many pet care vendors were on hand selling treats and services.

One of the most popular stations was run by the Cary Teen Council. Their dog washing operation raised $555 for Wake County Animal Center. Way to go, kids!

Once a year, it’s a good thing when Cary goes to the dogs.

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CaryCitizen news sponsored by FrantzForHouse.org.

Photo by Hal Goodtree

Cary, NC  – Grab your leashes and bring your four-legged friends to Bond Park for the Town of Cary’s Annual Dog Days of June festival on June 5 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m at Field #4.

Dog Lovers Unite

The event will offer rabies vaccinations and micro-chipping along with a variety of free activities that every canine will enjoy. Each year, the Town of Cary hosts the Dog Days of June to unite local dog lovers and encourage pet health and safety.

Rabies Vaccines & Micro-Chipping

Rabies vaccines and micro-chipping will be offered from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rabies vaccines are $5 per pet and micro-chipping will be $10 per pet.

Please bring cash since credit cards cannot be accepted. Registration is not required for this element of the event.

Fun For Dogs

At 10 a.m., dogs can compete for a spot in the World Canine Frisbee Disc Championships during the Canine Frisbee Disc Competition. All dogs, regardless of lineage or experience, are invited to participate. Each participant will go home with a free official disc (while supplies last).

Prizes will be awarded to the top three competitors. Registration for this part of the even is required, free, and opens at 9:30 a.m.

“With our dog park, greenways and parks, Cary is a very pet-friendly community and our Dog Days event is an educational opportunity for area owners to network and learn more about these facilities and local pet businesses,” said Bond Park Supervisor Bill Eucker. “For you and your pet’s safety, when not competing in our disc competition, please make sure your dog is on a leash no longer than six feet.”

Dog Baths and More

Guests will be able to check out local pet-focused booths, many with giveaways and games, pet adoption and rescue group, pet photographers and enter a charity raffle. Before heading home, the Cary Teen Council will be giving dog baths. Prices are $5 for dogs 15 lbs. or under; $7 for dogs 16-35 lbs.; and $10 for dogs over 36 lbs. Owners are encouraged to bring their own towel for drying.

Event Info

Dog Days of June
Bond Park
801 High House Rd
Field #4
June 5, 2010
9 AM – 1 PM

The vaccine and micro-chipping clinic will occur rain or shine. All other Dog Days events will be canceled in the event of rain.

For more information, visit Dog Days or call (919) 469-4100.

Beazus, played by Gabbi Merz, in "Ramona Quimby"

Story and photos by Lindsey Chester.

Cary, NC- The weather wasn’t looking very promising Saturday evening as I headed out to Bond Park with my daughter Emma for Applause! Theatre’s production of “Ramona Quimby”.

Happily, it had stopped raining, but the clouds were ominous and thunder still rumbled in the distance. The parking lot at Sertoma Amphitheatre was packed and we headed to the ticket table where everyone was crossing their fingers in hope that the rains would hold off for the rest of the evening.

We were so glad we braved the weather. These kids put on a heck of a show! To the strains of the song “Our House” by Madness, the cast began setting the scene of the little town the Quimby’s live in, a town not that different from Cary.

The character of the older sister Beazus (admirably played by Gabbi Merz) spoke directly to the audience, narrating the relationships in her family. Her younger sister Ramona, (Lauren Toney), stormed onstage to ask why she too could not speak to the audience – but this was a privilege (like so many others) only enjoyed by the eldest child. Sound familiar?

A classroom scene in Ramona Quimby. L-->R Mallory Griffin, Tara Boldrin and Lauren Toney

The play goes on to illustrate the struggles of a family coping with a father who loses his job, a mother who returns to work, sibling rivalry, the wedding of their favorite aunt and of course the personality conflicts found in every school classroom.  I heard many of the same arguments that seem to occur almost daily between my own two daughters.

The direction included the use of many familiar Baby Boomer songs to move scenes along. One of the most memorable moments was hearing the familiar strains of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and watching as the entire cast got on stage to recreate the famous zombie dance.

The design team crafted backdrops on wheels that the stage crew (dressed in black) pushed around to became restaurants and classrooms. The group made use of minimal props and scenic elements to create not only a street, but an apartment house and a wedding chapel.

The Quimby Family played by Lauren Toney, Gabbi Merz, Lauren Knott and Brian Croft

The Applause Theater group, headed up by Rachel Green, is open to all children ages 8-18 who live in Cary. The program is so popular that over 150 kids tried out for the 26 parts that were required for this production. Since 1999, the group has produced over 20 different plays including “Beauty and the Beast,” “Peter Pan” and “Dracula”. I can’t wait to see what the fall production will be!

For more events happening in Cary, visit the CaryCitizen Calendar. If you would like us to add your event, email Lindsey Chester.

Cary, NC – La Feria Del Libro, the Latino Book Fair, is set for Saturday, May 22 from 10-5 at Bond Park.

The Feria aims to highlight Latino writers in the state and to promote a love of reading in Spanish. My kids have taken Spanish since elementary school – the Ferio is a great opportunity to connect them with Latino culture and literature.

La Feria del Libro will run from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 22 at the Bond Park Community Center. It will feature readings by Latino writers, panel discussions with writers and publishers, exhibits and a book drive to give away thousands of books in Spanish.

The Fair is free and open to the general public.

Childrens’ Reading Featuring Irinia Patterson

Special guest author, composer and storyteller Irania  Macías Patterson will read from her book (Chipi Chipis Small Shells of the Sea) at The Book Fair in Cary NC.

The bilingual writer, Irania Patterson was born in Caracas, Venezuela. She was introduced to music and dance at an early age and developed an interest in theater. Through the theater, began her love for writing.

In April 2005 she published her first bilingual picture book, entitled Chipi Chipis Small Shells Of The Sea / Chipi Chipi Caracolitos del Mar. The book won the “Children’s Choice Award 2006″ Prize from the International Reading Association and also received the “Multicultural Publishing US Award” in 2006.

The award winning writer will tell children stories and sing typical bilingual songs that will entertain, educate and engage children in Spanish and English.

Special Guest Mixer with Eduardo Antonio Parra

A mixer at Page-Walker on Friday will feature distinguished Mexican author Eduardo Antonio Parra reading from his work.

La Feria is co-sponsored by the Mexican Consulate, The Town Of Cary Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources and J&L Publications.

For more info, visit www.diamanteinc.org or contact Rafael A. Osuba at rafael.osuba@gmail.com 919-995-9763.

Cary, NC – Cary’s Youth Theater, known as Applause!, presents “Ramona Quimby,” a play based on the series of books by Beverly Cleary.

Either Ramona drives you nuts, or like me, you have your own Ramona living at your house. My daughter Emma even tried out to be part of the cast, because we thought the main character was such a good fit!

Unpredictable. Exasperating. Boisterous and independent. That’s Ramona Quimby for you! Trace Ramona’s tumultuous passage through third grade and through her family relationships, from her teacher’s wrath, to persistent sibling bickering, to an important family wedding.

The characters and the material, adapted by Obie Award-winning playwright Len Jenkin, are as “today” as the morning newspaper, and the Quimby family’s togetherness in tackling sacrifices and adjustments that are part of life create a humorous, loving family portrait.

Applause! held try-outs for the play in April and the cast and design crew have been rehearsing ever since. The play will be performed at Cary’s Sertoma Ampitheatre in Bond Park beginning Thursday May 20- Saturday May 22 each night at 7:30.

Tickets are available at the Herbert C. Young Community Center Box Office, and throug  Ticketmaster.  Tickets will also be available at the door.

Advance price tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students/seniors and $5 for children age 5 & younger. All tickets purchased at the door are $10. Group ticket orders are available for groups of 15 or more; please contact Rachel Green, Youth Theater Coordinator, at (919) 465-4792 for more information or to place a group order.

In the event of inclement weather, please call (919) 465-4792 to hear updated performance information, including ticket and rain date information, if applicable.

For this and other interesting events happening around town, visit the CaryCitizen Calendar. If you know of an event that you would like us to add, please email Lindsey Chester

Cary, NC- Call me lucky. Saturday I attended a rare free performance of the Mangum & Company Shout Band. If I had listened to the weatherman, who predicted thunderstorms for that afternoon, maybe I wouldn’t have headed over to the Sertoma Ampitheatre in Bond Park.

Under a cloudless sky, the band thrilled us with their 11 trombones blaring a toe-tapping rhythm inspired by church gospels. The event was co-sponsored by The Town of Cary and Pine Cone (The Piedmont Council of Traditional Music), an organization founded to promote our native regional music.

During one number, band leader Cedric Mangum explained the music to the audience, filling them in on how the bass drum was the “heartbeat” of the music. He then signaled to the baritone player to step forward and add her sound. Gradually, each instrument was added to the mix for the full explosion of musical joy.

Surprisingly, a number of the musicians were young men, taking up the trombone and practicing this traditional style music. Cedric told me that they have a tradition of passing down this music to the next generation to help keep it alive.

Good times on a perfect afternoon. Just another great free event in Cary. Pine Cone will be bringing several other events to the area including:Phil Wiggins and Corey Davis at Fletcher Theater in Raleigh on May 14 and Patty Griffin and Buddy Miller at the NC Museum of Art on June 2.

CaryCitizen photos by Lindsey Chester.

About “Shout” Band Music

“Shout” describes the singing style and form of worship found in some 20th-century African-American religious denominations. Speaking directly to God through the “shout,” black Pentecostals offered the direct experiences and the emotional touch of the Spirit.

“Shout band music is primarily performed as part of church services, parades and religious special occasions, so having the Mangum and Company Shout Band as part of our Sertoma Series is very special,” said Sarah Preston, Performing Arts Coordinator. “Pack a picnic and enjoy this unique opportunity.”

Who are the Mangum Company?

Led by Cedric Mangum, the company features 15-20 members from the Charlotte Mother House of Prayer playing a variety of trombones, sousaphones, baritones and drums. Its mostly instrumental music creates a choir of brass “voices” “singing” in one accord, a tradition from church music of African-American communities in the Southeast during the 1920s. The music is up-tempo and bright.

The Mangum and Company Shout Band appeared under the name The Clouds of Heaven in the first-ever anthology of shout band music produced by Smithsonian “Folkways, Saints Paradise: Trombone Shout Bands from the United House of Prayer (1999)”. Music samples are available for download , use the  keywords “Saint’s Paradise.” This concert promises to be something truly special.

In case of rain, the concert will be held at the Kiwanis Shelter in Bond Park.

Remaining 2010 Spring Sertoma Series performances include: SAS Showchoir, VocalMotion on Saturday, May 15, and the Really Terrible Orchestra of the Triangle on Sunday, May 16.

For more information on the Mangum and Company Shout Band, visit Pine Cone

For this and other interesting events happening around Cary, check out the CaryCitizen Calendar. If you have an event you would like us to add to the Calendar, email Lindsey Chester.