Raleigh Recreation - Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival! 

Looking for a great free activity for the family, or a fun date afternoon?

The 32nd Annual Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival filled downtown Cary to nearly bursting point today - but everyone had a terrific time, and I spotted dozens of festival goers leaving with carefully wrapped one-of-a-kind works of art.

Nearly a dozen streets are shut down and transformed for this one day festival that has become known nationally. 

Chatham Street was recognizable only by the trademark clock and street light.

I passed three different stages as I wandered through what seemed like miles of booths covered by white awnings. 

A rock and roll band played in front of the Fidelity Bank building, keeping the crowd rocking as it walked from booth to booth.

As Lazy Daze is one of the South's premier arts and crafts festivals, the artisans fairgoers will find here are the "best of the best", and have to go through a long approval process to become part of the rows and rows of exhibitors. 

These windchimes were certainly unique - silver teapots, from which hung a variety of silver spoons.

Each booth noted the name and hometown of the artisan or craftsman.  I saw Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, and of course plenty of great local North Carolina artists.

These vases, bowls, and wine holders by Red Oak Pottery featured, of course, red oak leaves.  

The delicate cut outs around many of the leaves helped this potter stand out.

The only decision left to be made?  Whether to place the bowl on the dining room buffet, or display it above the mantel!

There were easily two dozen booths dedicated to framed art alone. 

One photographer/artist even featured large landscapes, with hand-painted coordinating landscapes painted on the matting around the photos! 

Wandering clowns and pirates helped keep children entertained as parents pushed strollers and couples strolled hand in hand. 

This Lazy Daze booth featured a children's American Indian theme. 

Teepees on solid pole supports were surrounded by Peter Pan, pirate, and American Indian costumes. 

The bows and arrows were the biggest "draw" - with crowds of young boys waiting for their turn to purchase one of these homemade sets. 

The craftmaster's demonstration showed that these foam tipped arrows could probably make it halfway across the backyard! 

 The rock climbing wall was pretty popular, as was the Beer Garden (sorry kids, they were checking ID's pretty thoroughly at the gate of the garden!). 

Another sign that Lazy Daze has made the arts and crafts festival "big time"?

Two years ago, the 30th anniversary was commemorated by 200,000 Diet Pepsi cans distributed throughout North Carolina.  And the Sunshine Artist Magazine has ranked Lazy Daze as the #13 Best Festival in the Nation - which actually makes it the #1 One Day Festival!

 Bring $5 for parking, or park at Cary Towne Center and wait for the free shuttle.  

Last year's attendance was over 60,000 - all during this one day festival, so be prepared for crowds, but everything is very well planned. 

There are plenty of food and drink vendors, not to mention the high school band fundraisers - bottles of water hawked from rolling ice chests. 

The Lazy Daze Festival is great fun - and a great way to get started on a very unique Christmas list. 

If you're in the Raleigh area on the 4th Saturday in August, don't miss it!  

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