Lazy Daze, the fun, popular celebration of art that festival-goers enjoy each August, has a reach far beyond one summer Saturday. With the funds received from exhibiting artists and food vendors, the Town of Cary awards grants to community organizations that fit most closely with the mission of Lazy Daze, said Joy Cox, festivals coordinator.

“This is the 30-year anniversary of Lazy Daze, and in that time, the Town of Cary has returned over $300,000 back to the community,” Cox said. “It’s something we are very proud of.”

From the Cary Ballet Company to the Cary Town Band, Hum Sub Inc. to the North Carolina Veterans Freedom Park, the Town of Cary awards grants that will bring groups together and enrich the community.

MLK Jr. Task Force of Cary

Keeping the dream alive by celebrating diversity and bringing people together is the mission of the Martin Luther King Jr. Task Force of Cary, one of the Lazy Daze grant recipients. “My vision has always been ‘world, world, world," said task force President Carolyn Sampson. “Our task force is an organization that’s Cary-based, but our span of influence extends into surrounding areas and the world. We are working to dismantle racism and promote conflict resolution and peace.”

The group got its start in 1995 when two churches in Cary initiated a task force. Good Shepherd United Church of Christ and Cary First Christian Church would switch off once a month and meet at each otherÂ’s church. The short-term result was greater fellowship. Long-term? The task force resolved to create an inclusive atmosphere with cultural opportunities to promote understanding in the community.

Today, the MLK Jr. Task Force of Cary produces Dreamfest each winter, a cultural event incorporating visual arts, music, interdenominational religious speakers, a unity march and black history speakers. Cox said the MLK Jr. Task Force has a strong cultural mission for this event that fits the spirit of Lazy Daze. “The group uses all types of the arts to bring the community together to celebrate,” Cox said.

Dreamfest 2007 events will begin on the weekend of Jan. 12 and extend into February. The $800 grant the task force receives goes to support Dreamfest activities including supplies, honorariums, seminars, workshops and education.

“The eight-day celebration is made possible through a collaborative relationship with the Town of Cary,” Sampson said. “We are a totally volunteer organization, and I think we’ve certainly been a help to each other.”