Saturday, October 10, is the kind of day Downtown Cary is built for. A morning market, an afternoon of vintage hunting, and a park full of custom pet houses, all in one place. Come for one. Stay for the whole stretch.
A Fresh Start to the Morning
Start at the Cary Farmers Market, open 8 a.m. to noon along East Park Street, right beside Downtown Cary Park. The street closes between S. Walker Street and Mayton View Lane, and the stalls fill with locally grown produce, humanely raised meat, and artisan goods. Stop at the info booth for details on the SNAP/EBT matching program. Kids can pick up a Farmers Market Passport and join Eat-A-Rainbow, the market’s program for trying something colorful and coming back with a prize. Leashed dogs are welcome, and water bowls are available.
When the bags are full, Chatham Street is a short walk away for coffee, a late breakfast, or an early lunch before the next stop. Patios at Lloyd’s, Crosstown, Hank’s, and K38 are an easy handoff from the market, and the shops along the block such as Gentlemen’s Corner, Villa 19, and Hunky Dory are open if the morning turns into a browse.
Second Hand Treasures
At noon, the Cary Vintage Market opens in the West End Biergarten, on the edge of downtown right next to South Line Brewing. It runs until 5 p.m. and is Cary’s only dedicated vintage market, with women’s and men’s clothing, shoes, records, CDs, cassettes, housewares, and the small objects you didn’t know you were looking for. Permanent jewelry, a craft coffee cart, specialty baked goods, food trucks, and brewery drinks (beer, wine, cocktails, and slushies) round it out. It is family-friendly and dog-friendly, which matters, because the afternoon includes plans for the pets.
Let the Dogs Out!
From 1 to 5 p.m., Triangle Barkitecture takes over Downtown Cary Park. More than 20 custom pet builds by Triangle architects and designers go up for auction, with proceeds benefiting Hope Animal Rescue, Connie’s Kittens, Paws for Life NC, and German Shepard Rescue & Adoption. Admission is free. Leashed pets are welcome. The day includes a Kitten Cuddle Room, adoptable animals from more than a dozen rescues, live music, local vendors, and a pet food and litter donation drive for SAFE Haven for Cats. The Howl-o-Ween pet costume contest is free. Register at the Great Lawn Pavilion at 2:15 p.m. if you want to compete at 2:30. The silent auction and people’s choice voting close late in the afternoon, so the last hour is worth staying for.
The pieces fit. Market in the morning on East Park. Vintage and a bite at West End. Barkitecture back at the park when the stalls come down. One Saturday, a few blocks, and a good reason to leave the afternoon open.
Come early and stay late. Downtown is ready all day!