Cary lost an icon this summer in Jerry Miller, the founder of the Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival.
Holding Cary close to his heart, Jerry saw a vision to bring the community together in celebration of the arts. The first fest in August of 1977 brought 100 artisans to downtown Cary and earned a profit of $500, which was immediately invested in the Town in the form of a new tent for the recreation department.
Now, with the 49th annual festival just days away, Lazy Daze has put more than $900,000 back into the community through its grants program, funding nonprofit organizations that support the arts and citizens of Cary. The festival now spans two days and draws tens of thousands of visitors, along with more than 250 artists from across the United States.
“For nearly 50 years, Jerry’s festival has welcomed citizens as they brought their children, then their grandchildren to experience this end of summer rite of passage in Cary,” former Festival Coordinator Joy Ennis wrote in her letter supporting Jerry’s nomination for the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society — the state’s highest civilian honor, and an award he received in May.
“These types of events sew the fabric of a community together, providing shared experiences that bind us all together, for just a little while,” she continued.
Indeed, anyone who has attended Lazy Daze knows there’s something special about it. Of course there’s the art — a juried selection of diverse works from across the country — but that’s just the beginning. Walking through the festival feels like stepping into a love letter to Cary.
Interactive art projects welcome visitors to contribute to ever-changing communal works. Roving and static entertainers represent different cultures and interests. Nonprofit groups showcase their missions.
And that’s exactly what Jerry envisioned.
Lazy Daze is about the art, but more than that, it’s about building the community.
“He always took great pride in being able to actively participate in Lazy Daze,” recalls Kris Carmichael, operations and programs supervisor at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center. She says Jerry continued to personally hand out awards through last year’s festival.
This weekend will see the first fest without Jerry, who passed away in June. His presence will be missed, but it will also continue to be felt through the event that will forever represent his passion, his community spirit, and him.
“The best way I know to honor him is to keep his legacy alive,” says Dr. Katherine Loflin, history ambassador for the Town of Cary.
So stop by Lazy Daze this weekend and feel the spirit of the community.
It’s what Jerry would have wanted.
Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival
Saturday and Sunday, August 23 and 24, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Downtown Cary
