Fireworks conclude a day of fun, photos, autographs and music for Carolina Hurricanes fans in downtown Raleigh
Posted February 17, 2023 4:00 a.m. EST
Updated February 17, 2023 11:43 p.m. EST
Raleigh, N.C. — The big outdoor hockey game is Saturday, but for thousands of Carolina Hurricanes without a pricey ticket, Friday's downtown celebration will serve as a worthy appetizer.
Carolina Hurricanes Fan Fest is the precursor to Saturday's Stadium Series game at Carter-Finley Stadium. The event will feature Hurricanes alumni, photo opportunities with The Stanley Cup, street hockey games, a Ferris wheel, live music, entertainment and fireworks to cap it off!
Full list of food trucks, music, activities
The event lasted from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and was free to attend on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh.
Huge Hurricanes fan Gov. Roy Cooper sounded the siren to start the event.
The Hurricanes are undefeated when Cooper sounds the siren. While he won't be sounding the siren Saturday night, he's hoping it will give the Canes some luck ahead of time.
Fan favorites and former Hurricanes players such as Mike Commodore, Chad LaRose, Justin Williams, Bates Battaglia and Erik Cole were on hand to sign autographs. as well as Stormy!
Even Wake County Manager David Ellis, who grew up rooting for the Capitals, got in on the fun on social media.
Complete Carolina Hurricanes Fan Fest activities
- Two stages of live music
- Street hockey
- Beer stations
- Art activations
- Photo booths
- Food trucks
- Fireworks
- Drone light show
- Ferris wheel
- Inflatables
- Kid’s activities
- Ludicrous wing challenge
Dozens of food trucks and beer stations were on hand. Here's a list of places to park downtown if you're going.
Lots of mascots also attended, including Muddy the Mudcat, Wool E. Bull and Mr. Wuf!
- 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Meet the Stampede of Love Mini Horses at the Planet Fitness Zone on East Martin Street
- 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. Get your picture with The Stanley Cup at City Plaza
- 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. Hurricanes Alumni Autographs (Justin Williams, Bates Battaglia, Shane Willis, Erik Cole, and Aaron Ward) at City Plaza
- 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. Hurricanes Alumni Autographs (Mike Commodore, Chad LaRose, Jesse Boulerice, and Steve Rice) at City Plaza
- 5 p.m. NC Icepack Street Hockey Scrimmage at the Wegmans Zone on West Martin Street.
- 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. Meet NCFC Players and Coach (Garrett McLaughlin, Mikey Maldonado, and Head Coach John Bradford) at the Planet Fitness Zone on East Martin Street
- 5:30 p.m. Buffalo wing challenge at City Plaza stage
- 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Meet NC Courage Players Haley Hopkins and Olivia Wingate the Planet Fitness Zone on East Martin Street
- 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m. Drone light shows at Capitol stage
- 9 p.m. Fireworks and drone light show finale at Capitol stage
There will be live music throughout the day on two stages.
Fireworks conclude night one of Stadium Series festivities
Fireworks in front of the Capitol Building concluded the first day of Stadium Series festivies in downtown Raleigh.
Thousands of fans stormed through Fayetteville Street for Fan Fest celebrations in preparation for Saturday’s Stadium Series game at Carter-Finley Stadium.
"It gets everybody pumped and excited," said Timorow Dobbins, a Canes fan attending Fan Fest.
The game alone expected to bring more than $12 million to the economy.
Representatives with City of Raleigh are hoping to use the extra money to create more amenities both residents and visitors can take advantage of.
"This is the first time [there's an] event of this size and magnitude for the Canes," said Loren Gold, Executive Vice President of Visit Raleigh.
Gold said outside visitors bring an added boost to the local economy.
"You're really looking at what new money is coming in the market, not just Wake County residents spreading their money around the market," Gold explained.
For Capitals fans, they don't mind making the trip and being outnumbered by Canes fans.
"We've got to represent the 'Caps here for sure," said Rob Bailey, a Captials who traveled to Raleigh for the game with his dad. "N.C. is close enough to D.C, [so] we've got a good showing."
Gold said the money would be used for various improvement projects, such as enhancements to PNC Arena, building or expanding convention centers and more.
Locals, like Hurricanes super fan Shelley Hudson Baker, are welcoming all the fun and attention.
"The Stadium Series is epic and for Raleigh to get sports love is wonderful," Baker said.
If you missed out on the festivities Friday night or can't make it to the game Saturday, Raleigh Parks & Rec is hosting a viewing party for the game in Moore Square Park.
