Meet new people.

Breathe fresh air.

Make a difference.

Now through Aug. 12, the Town of Cary is recruiting volunteers for its largest annual event, the annual Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival, one of the largest single-day juried arts festivals in the U.S.

Set this year for Saturday, Aug. 22 on the Cary Town Hall campus, organizers say volunteers are crucial to a smooth festival, and help make it a great experience for everyone.

Here’s what you need to know to take part:

Age: Volunteers must be at least 15 years old. Those younger than 15 can volunteer alongside a parent or guardian. School groups and community organizations are encouraged to participate.

Jobs: Volunteer jobs range from artist set-up to lunch detail to shuttle assistant. Each volunteer will receive a short training session to review job requirements and scheduling, and a T-shirt while supplies last.

Shifts: Volunteers are needed for Aug. 21 shifts from 6 to 8:30 p.m., and Aug. 22 shifts from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Sign up: To register as a Lazy Daze volunteer, call (919) 462-3862 or e-mail ashley.mccall@townofcary.org.

See you at Lazy Daze!

Feb. 4, 2012
Jennifer Koch and Rocky Smith

If a groom ever had an excuse to be detached from wedding planning, it was Rocky Smith, who proposed to his girlfriend Jennifer Koch days before deploying on a seven-month tour in Afghanistan. Rocky, an explosive ordnance disposal technician in the Marine Corps, called in the help of a bomb disposal robot to secure Jennifer’s hand. The remote-controlled robot sauntered up to Jennifer’s desk in her RTP office and presented a ring box while Rocky waited in the wings.

During Rocky’s tour of duty, Jennifer enlisted the help of her mother and wedding planner Angie Wright to create a garden ceremony — indoors. “I had always wanted to get married outside in a garden, but we were getting married in wintertime and couldn’t do it outdoors. So I wanted to bring the garden inside,” she said.

“It was amazing,” said Rocky. “They thought of every little detail to make the day better.”

Ceremony
Fearrington Garden Terrace House

Reception
Fearrington Barn 

Planner
Chic Details Weddings & Events,
Angie Wright

Photographer
Dara Blakeley Photography,
Dara Blakeley

Floral Design
Fearrington, Mary Stevens

Gown
Alexia’s Bridal Boutique &
Vera Wang Salon

Cake
Fearrington, Jill Lecky

Stationery
Paperwhites Press