Cary Spotlight | Issue #540 (Correction)

Community Muscle Powers Plane Pull, Local Art and Community Energy, Cary’s Pro Soccer Teams Focus Shifts

In this Cary Spotlight Issue…

💭Spotlight Hook Trivia

📰Community Muscle Powers Plane Pull to Raise Over $100K for Special Olympics

📰 Spring Daze Festival Blooms with Local Art and Community Energy

📰 Cary’s Pro Soccer Teams Face Road Defeats, Focus Shifts to Home Games

🚨 The Cary Police Department Crime Data

😀 Meme of the Day

❤️ Thank You, Gold Spotlight Pioneer Club!

🏛️ Support Cary Local Businesses

📅 Lots Of Events This Week (The Week at a Glance)

Question: What is the capital of Brazil?

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)

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Community Muscle Powers Plane Pull to Raise Over $100K for Special Olympics

In a test of strength and teamwork, 54 teams gathered at Raleigh-Durham International Airport to take part in the annual plane pull fundraiser for Special Olympics North Carolina.

The challenge? Pulling a Delta Air Lines plane 25 feet across the tarmac in the fastest time.

Teams were divided into first responders, corporate groups, and community/gym categories. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office team clocked the fastest time among first responders, while UPS and Anytime Fitness Cary led in their divisions.

Beyond the friendly competition, the event exceeded fundraising goals, bringing in over $100,000 — nearly double the target amount — to support athletes with intellectual disabilities across the state. Read Full Report

Spring Daze Festival Blooms with Local Art and Community Energy

Cary’s Spring Daze Arts & Crafts Festival is set to transform Bond Park into a vibrant marketplace of local talent on April 26. With 170 artists from across North Carolina, the festival offers everything from handmade ceramics to fine art prints.

More than 15,000 attendees are expected to enjoy the arts, food vendors, and sustainability-focused Earth Day activities. A recent reader poll by Cary Spotlight reveals that, while the festival offers many delights, it is the celebration of local artistry that most captures the community’s imagination.

Out of 17 respondents, a commanding 41 percent said they are most excited to discover North Carolina artists and their work — a clear signal that Cary’s appreciation for homegrown creativity remains vibrant. This top choice underscores the festival’s long-standing tradition of spotlighting local talent, with juried artists from across the state set to display everything from hand-thrown pottery to fine printmaking.

Close behind, a sizable share of readers — nearly 24 percent — said what excites them most is simply the joy of being outside and soaking in the spring atmosphere. Perhaps after a long winter, the allure of fresh air, budding trees, and community togetherness is reason enough to join the festivities.

Meanwhile, about 12 percent of respondents are looking forward to the lively entertainment at Bond Park, where performances are set to bring music and energy to the event’s natural backdrop.

Other aspects of the festival, though drawing fewer votes, still sparked interest among residents. Five percent of voters expressed enthusiasm for Earth Day activities and learning about sustainability, while an equal share selected the culinary adventure of sampling food trucks and local vendors. Volunteering, participating in the Cary community, and attending the Dog Daze and Pet Expo each garnered 5 percent of the vote as well — modest numbers that reflect the festival’s broad appeal and varied offerings.

A few respondents also selected “Other,” hinting at personal favorites or unexpected pleasures that may not have fit neatly into predefined categories.

Together, these results paint a portrait of a community eager to celebrate spring in all its forms: through art, through togetherness, and through simple moments of joy under the Carolina sky.

Just curious…

What excites you most about Spring Daze?

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The Aztec Soccer Ball by Chaos Soccer Gear

Cary’s Pro Soccer Teams Face Road Defeats, Focus Shifts to Home Games

It was a challenging weekend for Cary’s professional soccer teams, as both the North Carolina Courage and North Carolina FC came up short on the road.

The Courage faced NJ/NY Gotham FC at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Sunday, where a burst of scoring just before halftime proved decisive. Gotham’s Ester González found the back of the net twice in rapid succession, shifting momentum firmly in favor of the home side. Early in the second half, Lilly Reale capitalized on a corner to extend the lead to three.

Though the Courage pushed to close the gap, they struggled to control possession — a rarity under Head Coach Sean Nahas — and managed to salvage a late goal in stoppage time. Brianna Pinto scored her first goal of the season with a clinical finish, assisted by Meredith Speck. It was a small consolation in an otherwise difficult outing.

Meanwhile, across the country, North Carolina FC battled New Mexico United in a tightly contested USL Championship match on Saturday night. For much of the game, both defenses held strong, limiting chances and shots on goal. But in the dying moments, New Mexico’s Thomas Amang redirected a deflected shot past Jake McGuire, sealing a narrow 1-0 defeat for NCFC.

Despite the late setback, NCFC head coach John Bradford viewed the result as a moment to strengthen the squad’s resolve. The team will look to regroup quickly, as they prepare for a high-stakes in-state showdown against Charlotte Independence in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday.

Both teams now turn their attention to pivotal matches ahead. The Courage return to Cary this coming Saturday to host Bay FC at WakeMed Soccer Park, while NCFC continues their road stretch with an encounter against Miami FC on April 19.

Which upcoming game are you most excited to cheer for?

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Credit: Cary NC Police Dept. (14 Apr 2025)

The Cary Police Department Crime Data

The Cary Police Department emphasizes accuracy in its crime data reporting, despite challenges inherent in the process. Daily updates and adherence to privacy laws are central to their approach, though the dynamic nature of crime data means information can change over time.

The crime data presented by the Cary Police Department spans the last decade, plus the current year, reflecting a commitment to transparency over an extended period. View Cary NC Police Incidents

Meme of the Day.
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Thank You, Gold Spotlight Pioneer Club!

We want to say a special word of thanks to the 961 members of Cary Spotlight’s Gold Spotlight Pioneer Club. These are loyal subscribers that have read 400-499 issues of our daily newsletter! Your commitment keeps our community connected every day.

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Featured Local Event

Ready to Laugh Out Loud?
Laughter is the perfect gift. Celebrate early with the women who make life brighter at Ladies Laugh Lounge — a night of all-female comedy at Goodnights Comedy Club!

Cary Spotlight readers get a special treat.

Can’t go? Then please share the event to support this local event. Thanks!

Upcoming Local Events

Looking ahead to events happening in Cary, NC for the rest of the week.
Outdoor events may be changed due to weather, so click the links to see latest event information.

April 15th, 2025 (Tuesday)

April 16th (Wednesday)

April 17th (Thursday)

April 18th (Friday)

April 19th (Saturday)

April 20th (Sunday)

April 21st (Monday)

The Answer to the Cary Spotlight Hook Trivia Question 👇👇👇

Brasília is the capital of Brazil and a remarkable example of modernist urban planning. Officially inaugurated in 1960, the city was designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer and urban planner Lúcio Costa to promote development in Brazil’s interior. Its layout resembles the shape of an airplane and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its innovative design. As the political heart of the country, Brasília is home to Brazil’s federal government, including the presidential palace, congress, and supreme court.

For more information, visit Brasil – Brasília.