Happy Friday, Cary!

The Fourth of July weekend is here, and it is a good one: fireworks over Symphony Lake, a movie night in the park, and plenty of ways to stay cool and celebrate. Before you head out, here is what is happening around town.

Here's what you can expect in today's issue:

Jake from Cary Digest

Cary is reaching a milestone this year. The Marigold, the town's first mixed-income housing community built on town-owned land, is opening in 2026 and will welcome its first residents at 921 SE Maynard Road, near Fenton. The community brings 126 new apartments to Cary, with about half reserved for lower- and moderate-income households, so the teachers, first responders, and service workers who keep Cary running can afford to live in the town they serve.

It is a thoughtfully designed project, too, with EV charging, solar panels, and green stormwater features, plus easy access to transit, greenways, and downtown. Built through a partnership between the Town, developer Laurel Street, and county and federal funding, The Marigold is a concrete step toward the goals of Cary's 2021 Housing Plan: a community where people of all incomes can put down roots.

Love a good deal? Good Finds Daily tracks down the best sales on Amazon's most well-reviewed products and sends them your way every morning, Tuesday through Saturday. Kitchen gadgets, tech, home upgrades, beauty steals, pet picks, and more, all curated and always free.

Nothing says summer in Cary like a scoop from Andia's Homemade Ice Cream. This family-owned, woman-owned shop is the creation of Andia Xouris, a two-time Grand Master ice cream maker whose small-batch, super-premium recipes have racked up national awards (the French Vanilla alone has four national blue ribbons).

What makes Andia's special is the sense of adventure. Alongside the classics, you will find flavors you will not see anywhere else: Rose Pistachio (Andia's own favorite, a nod to her childhood in Cyprus), Mango Jalapeño Margarita, Baklava, spicy honey, and rotating seasonal creations, plus vegan options, sorbets, and oat-milk milkshakes. There are two Cary locations, in West Cary and Southeast Cary, both with indoor and outdoor seating for savoring your cone.

When the sun is blazing this weekend, Cary has a free and easy fix: the town's spraygrounds, splash pads, and misting stations are open for the season, daily from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM through September 21.

Cool off at the sprayground on Academy Plaza or the nature-themed splash pad in The Nest at Downtown Cary Park, or head to Jack Smith Park, home to Cary's first sprayground, with seven water features for kids 12 and under. Prefer a gentler mist? There are misting stations at Marla Dorrel Park (Kids Together Playground) and Neighborhood Park on Carpenter Fire Station Road. Everything is free. There is no lifeguard on duty, so keep an eye on the little ones, and it is worth checking the status online before you go, since features close now and then for maintenance.

Your holiday weekend, at a glance:

Friday, July 3 July 3 Celebration at Downtown Cary Park 4:00 to 10:00 PM · 327 S. Academy St. (free) Kick things off tonight with games, a mist zone, food trucks, and an outdoor screening of the 1996 classic "Independence Day" on the lawn. Cold drinks at the Bark Bar all night. (No fireworks here, those are Saturday at Koka Booth.)

Cary Town Band: America's 250th Anniversary Patriotic Celebration 7:30 PM · Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave. An evening of patriotic music and storytelling honoring 250 years of American history.

Saturday, July 4 Cary's Independence Day Celebration at Koka Booth Amphitheatre Gates 3:30 PM, fireworks around 9:25 PM · 8003 Regency Pkwy (free) The main event: patriotic favorites from the NC Symphony and Cary Town Band, a parachute jump into Symphony Lake, kids' activities, and a fireworks finale over the water. Free admission and parking.

Independence Day Fishing Tournament at Bond Park 8:00 to 11:00 AM · Bond Park, 801 High House Rd. (free) Cast a line at this all-ages tradition, with prizes for the longest and shortest catch. Registration opens at 7:00 AM.

Sunday, July 5 Cary Tennis Classic Finals Cary Tennis Park, 2727 Louis Stephens Dr. The pro tournament wraps up its final day of play. Free to watch.

Sunday Live Music at Bond Brothers Eastside Evening · 602 E. Chatham St. (no cover) Wind down the long weekend with free live music at Cary's homegrown brewery.

Thanks for reading Cary Digest! If you enjoyed the newsletter, please share it! I’ll send you another email in a few days. If you’ve read a few issues, and want to support local news and the Cary community, please considering buying a paid subscription to show your support.