The Stadium Series game is more than a game—it’s a weeklong unprecedented event that promises to rock you like a Hurricane. Here: Know how to go.
Take warning—the Canes are set to host the long-anticipated NHL Stadium Series game at Carter-Finley this month—and with that comes all the fanfare you’d expect… to the tune of a weeklong celebration, kicking off Thursday, Feb. 16, with a Canes home game where its Stanley Cup team star goalie Cam Ward will be inducted as the inaugural member of the Carolina Hurricanes Hall of Fame, and culminating in NC State honoring the 40th Anniversary of the 1983 Championship Team as the Pack plays host to Wake Forest.
“Part of our pitch to the league in terms of securing the Stadium Series game was that we’d work with all of our partners and entities to make a big weekend out of it,” says Carolina Hurricanes Chief Marketing Officer Mike Forman. “It wouldn’t just be a one-off game where the NHL’s coming to town just for that and that’s a wrap.”
To wit, Friday’s freeCarolina Hurricanes Fan Fest Presented by UNC Health. Carrying a huge footprint, the daylong Fan Fest will fete the Canes’ 25 years in NC with a slew of fam-friendly programming, music, activities, food trucks and vendors. It’s like NHL All Star Weekend Fan Fair meets the best feats of every Raleigh street fest to date—on steroids. Read: You’re gonna wanna play hooky in the name of hockey.
“The commitment from the Carolina Hurricanes and area partners to make this event happen is making this the event of 2023,” says Jennifer Martin, executive director of Shop Local Raleigh and producer of Fan Fest. A big part of that commitment is that it’s free and open to the public. “That’s one thing we want to stress because there are so many events going on that have paid components,” adds Forman.
The master plans also included working with the NHL for a Thursday night home game; helping to deliver a big-time Friday concert (hey, Hootie & the Blowfish!); and working with NC State to get a big ACC matchup against UNC scheduled for the weekend, explains Forman. “To host these games is pretty competitive,” he adds, “and most NHL clubs—if not all—would love to host either the Winter Classic or Stadium Series once or multiple times.”
Now, between the anticipation and the Canes vying for their fifth consecutive playoff trip, the vibes will be high. “People have been in a waiting game for almost three years,” says Forman. “Now, it’s getting real. … And it’s pretty special to be able to host this game during our 25th Anniversary Season in North Carolina. Our fan base has never been larger or more passionate than it is right now. We have the second-best record in all of hockey right now*. It feels like it was meant to be. … I wish it could’ve come even earlier, but the fact that it’s all kind of coming together this year makes it feel pretty special.” Puck, yeah. hurricanes.com
Take warning—the Stadium Series game is about more than hockey. It’s big business.
Raleigh is the stage. And all the world is watching. Literally. The Stadium Series game is going to be televised prime time on a Saturday night on ABC. “There are going to be a lot of eyeballs around the nation—and around the world—watching,” says Scott Dupree, chair of the Local Organizing Committee assembled to support the Canes and NHL and enhance the fan experience, “and they’ll all be looking at Raleigh, Carter-Finley Stadium, the Hurricanes, NC State, the Hurricanes brand—and it is going to be high visibility and media exposure for the city, the team, the stadium and the university.” That’s precisely the kind of occasion that enhances awareness of our city, explains Dupree, and our ability to recruit more major events.
Beyond branding, this is big business. Yes, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime fan experience. Yes, it’s a weeklong celebration and highly curated cast of events (see p. 50, plus our comprehensive day-by-day pullout event guide). But it’s also huge for Raleigh from an economic standpoint. “I’ve been doing this for 20-plus years,” says Dupree, who serves as the longtime executive director of Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance, “and I don’t remember any event ever generating this much conversation and excitement and anticipation.”
Nashville 2022 Stadium Series Est. Economic Impact
Arguably the hype has been building from the day Tom Dundon became majority owner of the team in January 2018 and stated his priority to get an outdoor game, says Canes Chief Marketing Officer Mike Forman. And he did just that. But this isn’t just any outdoor game. It’s only the 13th Stadium Series game ever. It’s like finding the golden ticket—except you didn’t just stumble on a random lucky candy bar. You earned it—and earn it our Bunch of Jerks sure did.
News first broke of the major grab in early 2020, slated for a February 2021 puck drop. Fast-forward through the pandemic and postponement. … Now, obviously the ever-elusive Stadium Series game is exciting for sports fans in general and Canes fans in particular—and something they’ve been talking about for years, says Dupree.
“But in addition to the excitement component and the fun of it for sports and Hurricanes fans,” he adds, “it’s also big business for this market. I can say for certain it’ll be the type of economic impact event that will generate millions of dollars for our community in terms of visitor spending in hotels, restaurants and retail.” Throngs of people from far and wide will come into town for this game—and not just Washington Capitals fans, notes Dupree, but sports fans from around the region and hockey fans who just want to see an outdoor game. And that’s big money.
For the trifecta, then there’s timing. They say what is for you will not pass you. And this moment is for the Canes. The stars, they have aligned. Sure, it’s five-plus years in the making, and people have been on wait for three of those—but, now, it’s the Canes’ 25th Anniversary Season in NC; games are sold out on the regular; and we have the second- best record in hockey.* “Everything is kind of peaking right now,” says Forman.
Rewind to a time when the franchise struggled to sell out 18,000+ seats. Then accelerate through a time when “the team got really good; our market came to life; and you saw the energy in the building and the community,” says Forman. Then revel in this moment when the Canes sold out Carter-Finley Stadium in record time. “The NHL is absolutely thrilled to be coming here now,” he says. “They’re amazed with how quickly we sold tickets. They’re amazed at the buzz in the community and the support we’re getting. … But one thing our GM/President Don Waddell constantly reminds us—it’s not an exhibition game. We know everyone’s going to have a great week—but hopefully we win the game.”
Raleigh is no doubt breathing rare air right now. Win or lose on the ice (but, um, please win), the Canes—and Raleigh—have already won big. It’s our moment. And it was worth the wait.
By The Numbers
Feb. 18: Date of Stadium Series game at Carter-Finley Stadium
3: Hours it took the Canes to sell out the original allotment of 18,660 tickets from the NHL—the fastest ever.
30,000+: Amount of tickets the Canes ultimately sold—the highest percentage of stadium capacity sold by the home team for any outdoor game.
1,000: # of fans on the field in a student section, which is unique to this game. The NHL has never had spectators on the field for an outdoor game.
1st: Carter-Finley is the first college football facility in the South to host an NHL outdoor game.
2nd: Raleigh is only the second city in the South to host the Stadium Series (first was Nashville last year).
6th: Carter-Finley is the sixth college football facility to host one of the NHL’s 37 regular-season outdoor games (including Winter Classics, etc.). Previous college football facilities include Michigan Stadium, TCF Bank Stadium (University of Minnesota), Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Notre Dame Stadium and Falcon Stadium (Air Force).
~55,000+: Expected capacity at Carter-Finley, including permanent seats, suites and fans on field
WEB EXCLUSIVE Get ready to cheer on the Pack like never before because Carter-Finley Stadium is getting an upgrade, y’all! A $700,000 upgrade to be exact. On Wednesday, April 28, the Centennial Authority (the group that owns and oversees PNC Arena) agreed to provide funding for the enhancement package using NC State’s share of the PNC Arena naming rights deal with PNC Bank.
NC State plans to use the approved funds primarily on the north end of the stadium, turning the parking lot in the northeastern corner of Carter-Finley into a designated food truck area that will also serve barbecue and beer—which will utilize $225,000 of the budgeted amount. While the game-day fried funnel cakes and Chick-fil-A sandwiches will always have a place in our hearts, we can’t wait to get our hands on some delicious food-truck food from local trucks. (Can we get an amen?!)
The remaining $475,000 of the budget will be used to renovate seating in the north end zone (*Clap hands emoji*). The 1,700 metal bleachers that previously served as overflow seating, as well as additional seating for fans of the visiting team, will be removed and replaced with a premium suite section featuring new carpeting, tents and tables. Carpeting? At a football game? Fancy.
The university’s reno plans still need to be approved by the Centennial Authority, but it’s mostly just a formality and should get the green light soon.
So, we don’t know about y’all, but we just got that much more excited for NC State football. #WITH!
Time and again, Raleigh has been rated one of the best places to live, work and raise a family. Thanks to those glowing accolades and our growing economy, our population is on the rise. People from all over the country now call Raleigh home, but what does it take to be a true Raleighite?
Learn to Shag
OK, maybe not every Raleighite knows how to shag. But you must know at least this: It is not the Austin Powers Shag; it is not “hooking up.” Originally called the Carolina Shag, this partner dance is done primarily to beach music and is a smooth swing like dance that you’ll see at bars, receptions and concerts alike. Done correctly, it is beautifully fluid; and if you choose the right partner, proper shagging can lead to… you know, more shagging.
Drink Moonshine at a Wedding
You know you’ve arrived as a southernerwhen the unsanctioned mason jar starts getting passed around amidst the champagne and PBR at a wedding reception.
Pick a BBQ, and you better pick Eastern
This may be especially confusing for those of you coming from places where barbecue is a verb. First things first, if someone asks you if you like barbecue. Don’t reply with “barbecued what?” That’s a dead giveaway you aren’t from around these parts. Barbecue is a noun in Raleigh, and one not to be taken lightly. No issue is more likely to cause a civil war in the old North State than Eastern Style (vinegar based) vs. Western or Lexington Style (tomato based) barbecue. In case you weren’t sure, you are in Eastern BBQ territory. Learn it, love it, live it.
Eat a burger at the P.R.
The P.R. or the Player’s Retreat on the corner of Oberlin and Hillsborough was once the dive bar where Broughton students congregated after class. Maintaining the ‘Cheers’ like feel with walls lined with steins and vintage beer cans, the PR has grown up with the clientele, offering great food and better service. If you’re lucky, you might get to grab a bar stool next to Coach Gottfried, NC State’s basketball coach.
Watch the planes take off at RDU Park
Free parking, a little park, a picnic area with seating and the best view in town of airplanes taking off and landing. It’s the perfect place to watch for Grandma’s plane to come to town or to simply spend a free afternoon dreaming about getting a pilot’s license.
Beach Lovers Bumper Sticker Match Game
Pick a Home Team
We understand if you’re coming from out of town you’re are likely bringing your loyalties with you. Penn State and Notre Dame jerseys are not uncommon sights. But, if you’re a Raleighite, you may as well choose a home team because around here, college sport is king. State, Duke or Carolina (Chapel Hill) are all within 25 miles and all have passionate fan bases that will welcome you with open arms, as long as your closet consists only of one of the following three colors: Duke blue, Carolina blue or red.
New to NC and not sure who you’re home team should be? We can help! Take the following quiz to see where you belong!
What is your football game attire?
a. Vineyard Vines & Boat Shoes
b. Whatever goes with my boots
c. My basketball watching wardrobe is more defined
What food do you want at a tailgate?
a. Wine & Cheese
b. Bojangles
c. Whatever the caterer recommends
You drive:
a. Prius
b. Truck
c. BMW
Favorite Song:
a. Sweet Caroline
b. Wagon Wheel
c. Devil With a Blue Dress
Your alma mater is known for:
a. Liberal Arts and Humanities
b. Ag Tech & Engineering
c. Ivy League quality education
Greatest Basketball Coach?
a. Dean Smith
b. Jim Valvano
c. Coach K
Mostly A’s: You should cheer for UNC Chapel Hill. Mostly B’s: You should join the Wolfpack of NC State. Mostly C’s: Be prepared for disdain both the red and light blue, as you cheer for Duke.
Photography by Leo Suarez
Amble Down Fayetteville Street
Every Raleighite must have Fayetteville Street as part of their geographic vocabulary. The main thoroughfare of downtown, it connects the State Capitol to the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts (Memorial Auditorium for natives) and is normally the centerpiece of any downtown festival or parade. You can check out Fayetteville Street’s evolution in the Raleigh City Museum in the Briggs Hardware Building.
Know how to properly ‘Bless Someone’s Heart.’
Though this southernism can express sympathy or empathy, it is more commonly the most subtle and polite of ways to introduce a scathing character assassination. “Bless her heart, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen her without a wine glass in her hand.” Use the power wisely.
Find the Rose Garden
If you haven’t found it yet, head downtown and follow signs to the Raleigh Little Theatre. Tucked away behind the outdoor pavilion, this beautiful little rose garden is open and free year round. Bring a picnic or a camera, and enjoy a stroll through this hidden treasure.
Know what ITB Means
You’ve surely seen it in real estate listings by now. ITB Inside the Beltline refers to Raleigh land within the 440 beltline borders. The increased price tag for properties ITB reflect the value Carolinians place on a central location. That, or as my native husband jokes, “It’s a Yankee tax… got to pay extra to live with southerners.”
While understanding that ITB means inside 440, it is also vital to understand that if a native Raleighite starts talking about the inner and outer beltline that, again, only 440 is being referenced. Inner beltline is the clockwise loop around the city while the outer beltline is the counter-clockwise loop leading ‘out’ of the city.
Eat Howling Cow Ice Cream
For over 50 years, Wolfpack Students were the only ones to enjoy this locally made ice cream treat. And by locally made, we mean at Feldmeier Dairy Processing Lab in Schaub Hall at NC State. Though still not widely circulated, Raleighites know where to find small containers distributed in various eateries throughout the NC State campus.
Interview with a Cow
Howling Cow Ice Cream has been an NC State tradition for over 50 years. Nothing beats the taste of fresh, locally produced ice cream and to get the whole story on Howling Cow, we wanted to get it straight from the horse’s…er, cow’s, mouth. We sat down with Snowflake (born on a snow day three years ago) to get the scoop.
How much milk does it take to make one pint of Howling Cow Ice Cream? There are roughly 10 ounces of milk in a 16-ounce pint.
How much milk do you produce in a day? On average eight gallons.
How did you get started in this business? I was born on the farm. My mom was a Howling Cow and Dad was an award winning bull from a farm in New England. In truth, I never met my dad. The ladies here tend to prefer artificial insemination… I’m sure you understand.
Do you howl? I moo. But I’m a proud member of the NC State University Wolf Pack, hence the howl.
How long has Howling Cow existed? We pasteurized the first milk in NC in 1918 – the name has been Howling Cow since 2008.
Where can someone purchase your ice cream? On Campus – Talley Student Center – Hunt and DH Hill Libraries and all convenience stores.
Do you get any vacation time? Every day! Hanging out in the pasture.
See a flick at The Rialto
Boutique theaters may be all the rage, but for native Raleighites, the Rialto is still the premier place to see movies nominated for an Academy Award (that most people hadn’t heard of). They serve beer and wine, charge reasonably for popcorn and have curtains that still open to let you know the feature is about to begin. To add to the classic feel, there’s no credit card machine; the ATM is next door if you forget your cash!
Watch a Parade Downtown
Between Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day, Raleigh’s got some parades worth checking out. But, you’re thinking, a parade is a parade is a parade. Tell me that after you have seen the incredible energy and passion of the Helping Hand Mission Marching Band, a Raleigh original that will stop you in your tracks.
Explore the Angus Barn
So much more than just the most famous Raleigh steak house. This local treasure is the place to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, promotion—anything worth raising a glass. The lounge offers a family-friendly casual atmosphere and if the kids get out of line, there’s the ass-kicking machine out front. You don’t have to come only for dinner. Enjoy a cocktail outside at the fire pit, and prove your local prowess by asking for the complimentary graham crackers, chocolate and marshmallows for your very own Angus Barn S’more.
Be a ‘member’ of about 20 bars
Raleigh is a progressive city certainly, but we’re still in the South, and there are several laws on the books aimed toward encouraging temperance. One of those laws dictates that food sales must be a certain percentage of overall sales if a business wants to provide alcohol. This means that any establishment that either does not sell food, or not enough food, must be, by law, a ‘private club.’ Thus, bar membership cards. Easy to get and not incredibly enforced, these bar cards mean little until you’re pulled over for speeding and, while reaching for your ID, 20 cards come cascading out of your purse causing at best embarrassment, at worst reasonable cause.
Drink in the view at Boylan Bridge Brewpub
Coming (back) this fall, Boylan Brewpub is hands down the best place to clink glasses with friends while drinking in the best view of Raleigh’s skyline. Currently closed due to a wall collapse in February, renovations are underway to make the Brewpub better than ever. Owner, Andrew Leager, says with a smile that the unexpected necessary renovations may’ve been the “best thing that ever happened,” for the Brewpub. They are using this time to expand the menu and wine list, including 34 new wines. A new chimney and fireplace will allow for cooler weather date nights and the new Clover Room is an intimate dining room with a view of the brewery.
Go to the State Fair
For Raleighites, the state fair is all about the many flavors of NC. And by that we mean both the food and the people because at the fair, you can get a little bit of everything.
And though the options are endless, locals know to find a Cary Methodist ham biscuit and Al’s fries. If you have kids, you make them eat a turkey leg as big as their heads.
Formerly, the fair was a place to see pretty big names at an outdoor venue for free. However a push to celebrate local artists and sell separate concert tickets changed the feel of the event. Now, the most exciting thing to see for free are the pigs racing, a definite must-see! Go Wilbur! (There is always a Wilbur racing; he is some pig.)
Cheer at Carter-Finley Stadium
Opened on October 8, 1966, Carter Finley Stadium will celebrate 50 years of Raleigh notoriety this year. Built to replace Riddick Stadium as the home of NC State Wolfpack football, this stadium now has close to 60,0000 seat capacity.
Whether you are cheering for the home team or away, to be a Raleighite, you’ve got to see a football game in Carter-Finley and for bonus points, tailgate ahead of time with some Bojangles, just like American Idol winner, Scotty McCreery. It’s also one of the few stadiums in the country where you can leave at halftime and return back to the game. If football isn’t your thing, Carter-Finley has also hosted Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, U2, The Rolling Stones and Beyonce.
Visit Oakwood Cemetery
Nestled in Historic Oakwood Neighborhood, the Oakwood Cemetery was originally purchased as a place to bury the Confederate d ead. It has grown and flourished into one of the most beautiful historic sites in the southeast. So much so, it has even hosted weddings. It is the final resting place of notable Raleighites Jim Valvano, Needham Broughton, Jesse Helms and Elizabeth Edwards.
Travel Raleigh via Greenway
Locals grew up riding their bikes to friends’ houses on the few and select trails that existed. The expanded trails can get you from Crabtree to Capitol without having to fight traffic.
Eat a hot Krispy Kreme donut
Whether you’re celebrating a Salvation Army Basketball victory or stopping for an after-church treat, all Raleighites know to look for the “Hot Now” light to get a fresh original glazed mouth-watering doughnut straight off the conveyer belt. Though Krispy Kreme is originally from Winston-Salem, the Person Street Hot Now sign has been a fixture since 1970.
See the Acorn Drop
The Acorn is housed throughout the year in Moore Square in Downtown, but every New Year’s Eve, for First Night Raleigh, a crane takes the acorn to drop it in front of thousands of cheering fans in City Plaza on Fayetteville Street. A sculpture by David Benson commissioned for the City’s bicentennial in 1992 to honor the City of Oaks, the acorn may not seem like the most obvious choice to ring in a new year, but it is definitely the ‘Raleighiest’ choice.
No ketchup at the Roast Grill
One of the last true lunch counter holdouts, the Roast Grill prides itself on hot dogs so delicious that the mere mention of ketchup is an insult. The decades-old “Red Hot Weiners and Pepsi” sign will lure you in, the perfectly cooked dogs and impeccable service will keep you coming back.
Shop the Farmer’s Market
Before Farm-to-Fork was a buzzword and pop-up Farmer’s Markets dominated local shopping centers, this was the place to go to get your fresh market food and flowers. Located, where else, on Agriculture Drive, the State Farmer’s Market is so much more than fresh fruits and vegetables. It is where Raleighites get Christmas trees, pumpkins for Halloween and everything they need to do a landscape makeover.
A full Saturday at the Farmer’s Market includes a country style breakfast at the Market Restaurant, shopping for the week’s groceries in the covered open air hall, perusing the local wines and honey in the climate controlled Market Shoppes and finishing off with a fresh seafood lunch and a sweet tea at the Seafood Market.
Ride the Carousel at Pullen Park
Tucked between NC State and Downtown, this premier park has been the go-to spot for generations of Raleighites. From birthday parties to company picnics, this is the number one place to spend a beautiful day outside. And no day is complete without a ride on the carousel. Created in the early 1900s, it is a designated Raleigh Historic Landmark. Bonus Raleigh Points: You know you’re a true Raleighite when you feel the need to point out the Wurlitzer, which until recently was one of the oldest operating Wurlitzers in the country. It is now housed inside the Carousel house with a historic plaque.
Shopped ‘Indie’before it was a trend
With nationally ranked independent stores like Quail Ridge Books and Schoolkids Records in our backyard, Raleighites have always and will always support locally owned businesses.
Understand the ‘inside jokes’ at A Christmas Carol
You’ve never seen Scrooge like this before. Raleigh’s own Ira David Wood III has turned the classic Dickens play into a Raleigh institution. Packed with inside jokes and current event jabs, Wood proves that couched in the safe setting of a beloved Christmas tale, no topic is so sacred there can’t be humor infused.
Learn to Shag
Pick a BBQ, and you better pick Eastern
Know how to properly ‘Bless Someone’s Heart.’
Interview with a Cow
See a flick at The Rialto
Drink in the view at Boylan Bridge Brewpub
Cheer at Carter-Finley Stadium
Eat a hot Krispy Kreme donut
Ride the Carousel at Pullen Park
Understand the ‘inside jokes’ at A Christmas Carol