CARY, NC - Guests in downtown Cary will get a hit of holiday cheer on Saturday as the Town of Cary hosts its annual Heart of the Holidays, a seasonal celebration with yuletide festivities from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. As part of the celebrations, the Cary Town Council will host a groundbreaking ceremony at 11 a.m. for The Cary, the community's 1940's original movie theater that the Town of Cary is renovating and expanding over the next 18 months for film as well as youth and amateur theater and music. During the groundbreaking, attendees will have exclusive, limited access to the inside of the theater and images the theater's history will be on display.

From 10 a.m.- 4p.m., visit the streets of downtown Cary as part of the Ole Time Winter Festival and the Town's Gingerbread Competition. Festival goers can enjoy arts and crafts, entertainment, food and activities. Entries as part of the Gingerbread Competition will be on display at the Holly Daze Shop, 120 E. Chatham Street, as well as in local businesses in downtown Cary. Cary resident and 2012 grand prize winner of the Grove Park Inn National Gingerbread House Competition Ann Bailey will lead a team of judges to select the winners.

Santa's Workshop returns from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Herbert C. Young Community Center. Parents are invited to bring children 10 and under for hands-on crafts, live entertainment, and a chance to see Santa Claus. While at Santa's Workshop, support the Cary Teen Council's food drive by bringing two non-perishable food items. All contributions will be given to a local charity.

Holiday cheer continues from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. with the old-fashioned Victorian Christmas experience at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center Holiday Open House. Victorian carolers will set the mood while guests learn about century-old holiday traditions, sing around the piano and enjoy free horse-drawn carriage rides.

At 6 p.m., the community will gather at the corner of Town Hall Campus to watch the 30+-foot cedar Christmas tree be illuminated for the first time this season. There will be a holiday variety show, and the Town will also unveil the Cary Community Christmas Tree, an oversized tree inside Town Hall decorated with handmade ornaments by community organizations to showcase Cary's diversity.

To close the evening, citizens are invited to the Cary Arts Center for a performance of A Christmas Story by the Cary Players at 8 p.m. This holiday classic is fit for the entire family. For tickets, other showings, and more information, visit www.caryplayers.org or visit the Cary Arts Center Box Office.

"If you are looking for holiday spirit, this Saturday in Cary has what you need," said Joy Ennis, Festivals Coordinator. "We're excited to feature the groundbreaking and hope that those attending our holiday activities will take time to come to The Cary and see our downtown theater before its big makeover."
In the event of unfavorable weather, the Christmas Tree Lighting will be moved indoors. In addition to scheduled activities, letters to Santa will be accepted throughout the day at Town Hall; letters received by December 13 will get a response from Santa. There will also be an artist's reception at Town Hall for the exhibition titled, "Views from the Middle Kingdome." For complete details on all activities, search "Heart of the Holidays" at www.townofcary.org or call (919) 469-4061. For more fun in Cary, follow the Town on Twitter @TOC_Fun and check out the Meetings & Events Calendar at www.townofcary.org.