Cool off at Hurricanes' free Summerfest starting Wednesday

Here's a fun way to cool down this week on these hot summer days ...

The Carolina Hurricanes will host their 5th annual Hurricanes Summerfest from Wednesday to Saturday at PNC Arena in Raleigh. The event includes opportunities to see open practices of the team's Prospects Development Camp, which features the Hurricanes' 2017 draft class, other top prospects and select invitees, according to the Hurricanes' website. On Saturday, there's a free Summerfest Celebration, along with a new and used equipment sale.

Here are some of the scheduled activities:

The public is invited to watch some of the development camp's on-ice sessions this week. Admission and parking are free. Enter on the east side of of the building. Doors open 15 minutes before each session. Concessions will be available for purchase. The practices are scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday, and noon, Saturday. These are fun, obviously, for hockey fans, but kids also enjoy getting an up-close view of action on the ice.

Then, on Saturday, the Summerfest Celebration runs 10 a.m . to 2:30 p.m. Parking and admission, again, are free. Enter on the east side of the building. You can catch that final practice, shop an equipment sale and check out more than 20 interactive inflatables, games and experiences, giveaways, guest speakers from the Hurricanes, appearances by Stormy and the Pepsi Storm Squad, discounted concessions, hockey games and extended hours for The Eye team store.