School’s out, and the Park is the place to play! Join us for an epic Playtime in the Park, where fun knows no bounds!

Get ready for a fun-filled School’s Out extravaganza at our Playtime in the Park event! We’re turning the Park into a playground of wonder, featuring an exciting lineup of activities for kids of all ages.

First up, join The Traveling Tortoise for an up-close and educational experience with fascinating reptiles and amphibians. Learn about their habitats, behaviors, and get a chance to interact with these incredible creatures.

Next, brace yourselves for an engaging and playful performance by Professor Whizzpop! This kid-friendly magician will have the little ones giggling and marveling at the magic tricks, adding a touch of enchantment to the day.

But the fun doesn’t stop there! Fuel your adventures with delicious bites from our selection of food trucks- Ty’s All Natural and Little Halos Donuts. Explore your creative side at the Park’s Art Cart, where budding artists can unleash their imagination and create masterpieces. For those who love games, our Board Game Cart is filled with options for friendly competitions and strategic play.

And of course, what’s playtime without toys? We’ve got a variety of toys scattered around the Park for everyone to enjoy, making this a day of pure joy and excitement. Bring the whole family and let’s make this School’s Out celebration unforgettable!

Please note, this is NOT a drop off event. Parents and guardians must stay with their child the entire time. Additionally, please only reserve a space for your child(ren).

*Please see our note below about future Downtown Cary Park programs and events.

TIMELINE:

The Traveling Tortoise: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. in the Academy Pavilion
Food Trucks: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. along Park St Courts
Art Cart: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in The Nest Pavilion
Board Game Cart: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Academy Plaza
Professor Whizzpop: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. in the Academy Pavilion
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

RSVPs on Eventbrite do not guarantee you a space, they just help us plan for how many people to expect. You may still have to wait for a space to become available upon your arrival if we are at capacity inside Academy Pavilion, or if seats for the Art Cart are all taken.
Indoor restrooms and a water fountain will be available in the Academy Pavilion.
The Park has two food and beverage facilities. The Bark Bar will serve beer and wine as well as non-alcoholic beverages and light snacks. Market 317, located in Academy Pavilion, is an elevated grab and go style café that will offer delicious wraps, sandwiches, charcuterie boards and more.
Guests can bring their own food into the Park, but outside alcoholic beverages are not permitted.
TICKETS:

This event is free to attend, and registration is not required. RSVPs do not guarantee you a space and attendees can drop in throughout the program time. Please note, there will be limited space and chairs in Academy Pavilion- first come, first served until a spot opens up!

DIRECTIONS/PARKING:

This event will be held throughout multiple areas of Downtown Cary Park (327 S. Academy St, Cary, NC 27511). See the timeline of events for specific locations.
There is an accessible parking deck located behind the Cary Regional Library (113 Walnut St, Cary, NC 27511). Additionally, parking is available in the parking lot on Charlie Gaddy Lane (Old Library Site), at designated street parking throughout Downtown, and at the Town Hall Parking Deck (121 Wilkinson Ave, Cary, NC 27513).
A rideshare drop-off location for the Park is available on S. Walker St. near The Walker Apartment building.
Make the most of the free GoCary bus service to easily access the Park. All eight GoCary bus routes conveniently connect at the Cary Depot, which is less than half a mile from the Park. If you prefer not to walk, simply board either bus Route 5 – Kildaire Farm or Route 6 – Buck Jones at the Cary Depot and hop off at the S Academy St at Downtown Cary Park bus stop, right in front of the park entrance. To plan your trip or access the GoCary Ride Guide please visit GoCary.org.
FUTURE PROGRAMS:

Cary (including Downtown Cary Park) has a new recreation registration system for programs and classes — RecTrac. This easy-to-use system will allow citizens and visitors to sign up for classes and other programming. Cary citizens and visitors must create an account to be ready to register for programs, so we encourage you to let your friends and families know about this new system. After February 29, 2024, all Downtown Cary Park programs and events will be hosted on RecTrac and not on Eventbrite. Registration for each Park program will be released two weeks prior to the event date. Stay up to date on all Downtown Cary Park programs and events by visiting our website.

FOOD & DRINK

The Park has two food and beverage facilities. The Bark Bar will serve beer and wine as well as non-alcoholic beverages and light snacks. Market 317, located in Academy Pavilion, is an elevated grab and go style café that will offer delicious wraps, sandwiches, charcuterie boards and more.
For water, there are four bottle filling stations located at various locations throughout the Park.
Guests can bring their own food into the Park, but outside alcoholic beverages are not permitted. You may, however, purchase and consume alcohol from participating permitted businesses within the social district.
Food trucks will also be onsite for this event.
RESTROOMS & DOGS

There are 5 individual bathroom areas and 24 total public toilets throughout the Park.
Leashed, friendly dogs are welcome throughout the Park, but please use your best judgement to determine if your dog will enjoy the event! With a dog park pass, the Barkyard is accessible from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
WEATHER/CANCELLATIONS:

If we need to postpone or cancel due to inclement weather, low attendance, or instructor cancellation, we will communicate through Eventbrite email. Downtown Cary Park has the right to cancel programs onsite if severe weather impacts the program or poses a safety risk.

QUESTIONS?:

Contact Guest Services at 919-469-4000 or downtownparkevents@carync.gov
Guest Services is open Monday – Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Sunday: 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
INCLUSION SERVICES:

Downtown Cary Park strives to provide a positive experience for all guests. Our goal is to accommodate you and meet your individual needs. Please fill out the event accessibility form and a staff member will be in contact with you.