Organizing begins for Merry Cary

Calling all Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, community groups and local businesses -- it's time to register for Cary's biggest event of the year, the Merry Cary Holiday Parade and Celebration.

The event will be held Sunday, Dec. 2 in downtown Cary.

It is coordinated by the Cary Grove Area Chamber of Commerce and the Village of Cary. The parade lines up at noon and begins its march down West Main Street at 1 p.m.

Thousands of people will line the streets to cheer and applaud the marchers.

The parade is followed by festivities in downtown Cary, including such free activities as a children's train, sleigh rides, pony rides, wagon rides by the Cary Grove Rotary, a petting zoo and free photos with Santa at Cary Travel Express.

Entertainment includes Dickens-style carolers, entertainment from Cary Junior High and Cary-Grove High School performers and more.

There also will be outdoor food and refreshments and business and community booths.

If you are interested in participating in the Merry Cary parade or at an outdoor booth, you must fill out an application form and return it by Oct. 23.

To register, call the chamber office at (847) 639-2800, or visit the Chamber Web site for an application form at carygrovechamber.com.

The Merry Cary Holiday Parade and Celebration relies on the volunteer efforts of numerous individuals and sponsorship dollars from local business and individuals.

This year's committee includes Dorothy Miller of Lake Julian Trout Farm, Sandy Nies of Harris Cary-Grove, Laura Higgins of If…Then…Else Consulting Inc., Bob Miller of Algonquin Township, Linda Palliser of Paul Palliser D.D.S., Wendy Franz of R & W Construction, James Maiworm of the village of Cary, Deputy Chief Ed Fetzer and Sergeant Mike Roth of the Cary Police Department.

To donate to the event, call the chamber office at (847) 639-2800.