Halfway Through 50 Daze, Cary Unveils Entertainment Lineup for 50th Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival

• Cary celebrates the midpoint of its 50-day countdown to the 50th anniversary of the Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival on August 22 - 23.
• The internationally acclaimed performance group, Squonk, returns and brings its newest interactive outdoor spectacle, "Joy Machine", to Lazy Daze with five free performances throughout the weekend.
• More than two dozen performances, cultural demonstrations, live music, roaming entertainers, and family-friendly experiences will take place across multiple stages during the festival.

Cary, NC - With the community now halfway through 50 Daze, Cary is giving residents another reason to mark their calendars. The entertainment lineup for this year's festival features more than two dozen performances and interactive experiences, including the return of internationally acclaimed performance group Squonk with its newest outdoor spectacle, "Joy Machine."

Taking place August 22 and 23 in downtown Cary, the milestone festival will pair more than 250 artists with live music, cultural performances, family-friendly entertainment, roaming acts, and immersive experiences designed to celebrate five decades of creativity and community.

Returning to Lazy Daze for the second time, internationally acclaimed performance group Squonk will bring "Joy Machine", its newest large-scale outdoor spectacle, to Cary. Lazy Daze will serve as the first touring location for the new production, giving festivalgoers an early opportunity to experience the interactive show as it begins its journey to audiences beyond Cary.

"Lazy Daze has always been about bringing people together through the arts," said Festivals & Events Supervisor Jenna Kostka. "We're excited to welcome Squonk back with a brand-new experience that captures the creative, playful spirit of the festival's 50th anniversary. 'Joy Machine' is something families, friends, and visitors of all ages can experience together."

Squonk will perform five free shows throughout the weekend:
Saturday: 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.
Sunday: 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Beyond Squonk, festivalgoers can enjoy performances across multiple stages throughout the weekend, featuring local and regional favorites like Kaira Ba, Story Charlemagne, and the Triggle Academy of Irish Dance. The lineup spans a variety of genres and includes community performances, cultural demonstrations, and entertainment in the Sister Cities Beer Garden and Lazy Lounge. Roaming performers throughout the festival will add unexpected moments of fun and creativity as visitors explore downtown Cary.

Sunday morning will once again feature Quiet Hours from 9 to 11 a.m., offering a more sensory-friendly festival experience with reduced sound levels while artists remain open for shopping and browsing.

The entertainment announcement comes as Cary reaches the halfway point of 50 Daze, a community-wide countdown celebrating the festival's 50th anniversary with public art, local business specials, artist spotlights, pop-up experiences, and interactive activities leading up to festival weekend.

Additional details, including the complete entertainment schedule, artist lineup, festival map, parking information, and volunteer opportunities, are available at carync.gov/lazydaze.

Primary Contacts

If you have specific questions, visit carync.gov/311, dial 311 anywhere in Cary, (919) 469-4000 outside Town limits, or email [email protected].

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