Carolina Hurricanes Summer Fun Fest this Friday

It's time for the fifth annual Carolina Hurricanes Summer Fun Fest!

This event, which starts at 5:30 p.m., Friday, will draw many to the PNC Arena in Raleigh. There will be a lot of fun activities for kids, along with chances to see Stormy and the Storm Squad and to hear from Hurricanes guest speakers.

It's a great opportunity to get a unique glimpse at the arena. And, best of all, admission and parking are free to the general public.

Activities include more than 20 inflatables and games; giveaways; discounted concessions; street hockey and hockey games; a showing of a Hurricanes video; and extended hours for The Eye, where you can load up on Hurricanes paraphernalia.

Other highlights include opportunities to take pictures on the team bench, in the penalty box and elsewhere. The Carolina Hurricanes banners hanging in the rafters of the arena will be lowered so fans can take their picture with them. The banners include division/conference championships, the 2006 Stanley Cup banner and retired jerseys of Rod Brind'Amour, Ron Francis and Glen Wesley.

The festival also is a first chance to view available seat locations for the next season, which starts in October.

If you go, plan to bring along some school supplies to donate to the School Supply Charity Drive, which benefits the Wake County Boys & Girls Clubs. If you bring an item on the list (pencils, pens, crayons, notebook paper and spiral notebooks), you could be entered to win a 2011-12 team-signed replica jersey.