A-May-Zing!

Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre is a favorite spot to take in a spring or summer concert. At many events, attendees may bring kids under 12 and picnic baskets at no additional charge.

Take in a concert

    • The Hob Nob Jazz Series: Every Wednesday in May, beginning at 5:30 p.m., local and regional talents take the stage at Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Picnic baskets and pets on leashes are welcome. General admission tickets, $5. boothamphitheatre.com
    • N.C. Symphony Summerfest: The annual summer series opens Saturday, May 27, at 7:30 p.m. with Dvorak and “Play with the Pros.” Tickets to four concerts in the series, $115.
      ncsymphony.org
Live at Lunch series features local musicians performing at the Fidelity Bank Plaza in downtown Cary, Thursdays in May, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. townofcary.org

Live at Lunch series features local musicians performing at the Fidelity Bank Plaza in downtown Cary, Thursdays in May, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. townofcary.org

  • The Holly Springs Cultural Center hosts the Route 55 Jazz Orchestra at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 20. Tickets, $10. hollyspringsnc.us

Or listen for free

  • Live in the District Music Series: Thursdays through June 8, head to Park West Village in Morrisville for some cool tunes. Concerts last from 6:30 to 9 p.m., and don’t forget a lawn chair or blanket. parkwestvillage.net
  • Sertoma Concert Series: Catch the Loose Strings Band at 7 p.m., Saturday, May 13, at the Sertoma Amphitheatre in Bond Park, 801 High House Road. pinecone.org
  • Follow Me to Fuquay-Varina concert series: Head to Centennial Square, 102 N. Main St., in Fuquay-Varina from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, May 11, for music, food trucks, local brews and inflatables for the kids. fuquay-varina.org
The scenic lake in Fred G. Bond Metro Park in Cary is a favorite with local kayakers, left. And if a pedal boat with the kids is more your speed, rentals are available. townofcary.org

The scenic lake in Fred G. Bond Metro Park in Cary is a favorite with local kayakers. And if a pedal boat with the kids is more your speed, rentals are available. townofcary.org

Get out on the water

  • Enjoy a serene paddle across Bass Lake in Holly Springs. Boats can be rented on weekends in May, and daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. hollyspringsnc.us
  • At Lake Crabtree County Park in Morrisville, boats of all types are available for rent on the weekends. You can also sign up for a two-hour canoe tour, led by park staff.
    wakegov.com/parks/lakecrabtree
Before exploring the more than 70 miles of trails and greenways in Cary, it might be helpful to download the Bike & Hike Cary mobile app to your phone. Search for “bike hike Cary” on the Apple and Android app stores.

Before exploring the more than 70 miles of trails and greenways in Cary, it might be helpful to download the Bike & Hike Cary mobile app to your phone. Search for “bike hike Cary” on the Apple and Android app stores.

Explore local parks and greenways

  • Grab some friends and head to North Cary Park, at 1100 Norwell Blvd., for volleyball. The park also features a playground, basketball courts and a climbing rock. townofcary.org
  • Popular with aviation buffs of all ages, RDU’s Observation Park provides views of the 10,000-foot runway, and visitors can listen to pilot-tower communications.
    rdu.com/observation-park/

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A wide range of classes and programs are offered at the Page-Walker. Subjects include language arts, music, and more.

A wide range of classes and programs are offered at the Page-Walker. Subjects include language arts, music, and more.

Learn about local history

  • Sponsored by the Fuquay-Varina Museums, Heritage Day on Saturday, May 6, features heritage craft demonstrations, antique cars and more. Check out the historic buildings in the museum complex, 131 S. Fuquay Ave., while you are there. fuquay-varina-museums.org
  • Housed in a restored 1868 railroad hotel, the Page-Walker Arts & History Center, at 119 Ambassador Loop in Cary, features works by regional artists and historical displays about Cary. townofcary.org
  • The Morrisville History Center, in the lobby of Town Hall at 100 Town Hall Drive, tells the story of the town and the Civil War skirmish that happened there in 1865.
    townofmorrisville.org
The Western Wake Farmers Market operates at two locations during the growing season. In Morrisville, the market is open 8 a.m. to noon, Saturdays from April through November at 260 Town Hall Drive, left. In Cary, the market will be open Sundays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting May 7 at 350 Stonecroft Lane. http://wwfm.ag

The Western Wake Farmers Market operates at two locations during the growing season. In Morrisville, the market is open 8 a.m. to noon, Saturdays from April through November at 260 Town Hall Drive, left. In Cary, the market will be open Sundays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting May 7 at 350 Stonecroft Lane. http://wwfm.ag

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Shop for local food and crafts

  • The Apex Farmers Market is open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays April through October on Salem Street in downtown Apex. apexfarmersmarket.com
  • The Fuquay-Varina Growers Market is open Saturdays 8 a.m. to noon, and Wednesdays 3 to 6 p.m. from May 6 to Oct. 7 at Centennial Square, 102 N. Main St. http://growers-market.com
  • The Holly Springs Farmers Market is open Saturdays May 6 to Oct. 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in the East Center Street parking lot across from Town Hall. HSFarmersMarket.com
  • Downtown Cary Food and Flea is held the second Sunday of each month from noon to 4 p.m. in the Ashworth Village parking lot. dtcfoodandflea.com
Area cricket teams will face off at the Capital Cricket Classic, an all-day exhibition tournament, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at Halifax Mall in Raleigh. The event is sponsored by the Triangle Cricket League. trianglecricketleague.org

Area cricket teams will face off at the Capital Cricket Classic, an all-day exhibition tournament, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at Halifax Mall in Raleigh. The event is sponsored by the Triangle Cricket League. trianglecricketleague.org

Root for a favorite sports team

  • The North Carolina Football Club plays at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, and Saturday, May 13, at WakeMed Soccer Park. northcarolinafc.com
  • The North Carolina Courage, the women’s pro soccer team, plays at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 21, and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, at WakeMed Soccer Park, see story page 102. northcarolinafc.com
  • Reserve your tickets for the Holly Springs Salamanders’ home opener against Morehead City at 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 3. salamandersbaseball.com
Salem Street will host hundreds of vendors, selling a variety of food and crafts at PeakFest. The festival, held annually on the first Saturday in May, is the largest public event held in Apex.

Salem Street will host hundreds of vendors, selling a variety of food and crafts at PeakFest. The festival, held annually on the first Saturday in May, is the largest public event held in Apex. Photo Credit: Rick Gardner photos

IMG_2424_ApexPeakFest

Make time for spring festivals

  • Celebrate the peak of good living at the 37th annual Apex PeakFest, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 6. Thousands of people visit downtown Apex for music, food, crafts and family fun. apexpeakfest.com
  • Morrisville hosts SpringFest from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 13, on Town Hall Drive. Come out for live music, midway games, rides and local food trucks. townofmorrisville.org
  • The Freedom Balloon Festival will land in Fuquay-Varina for Memorial Day weekend, May 26-29. The town expects tens of thousands of visitors to come out for food, music, crafts, family entertainment and of course, the hot air balloon rides. freedomballoonfest.com
Participants in the Waverly Place Wine Walks, right, are eligible for prizes, and their donations benefit the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

Participants in the Waverly Place Wine Walks, right, are eligible for prizes, and their donations benefit the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Photo Credit: Populate Productions

Exercise for charity

  • Fit & Able Productions sponsors several charity events throughout the year. This month, check out the Charity Distance Festival, 8:30 a.m., on Saturday, May 13, at WakeMed Soccer Park. https://fitandable.net
  • Strolling counts, right? Head to Cary’s Waverly Place 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 26, for the May Wine Walk. A $10 donation benefits the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. waverlycary.com/event

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