I took the kids to this last year early before the crowds got bad and left well before the fireworks. Good time for a tour through the capital, a short rickshaw ride and take some cute pictures of the kids next to the decorations. Those were the positives. I still miss the celebration being at the fairgrounds with much more open space to enjoy.

Negatives were overpriced food, 2 hour wait in line for the ferris wheel (which is from the fair), once the crowds do come in it's hard to move around and dress warm since Fayettevile Street is still and always has been a wind tunnel. And hopefully they have fixed the fireworks issue from last year and shoot them up higher this year so people can see them this year.

Raleigh is a circus.

genralwayne, I think I missed something or maybe you saw it elsewhere... Where did you read that entertainment was being brought in from outside of our area?

I assumed, as I would think most people who have been at large downtown events within the last few years, that Acroentertainment (a Raleigh based performance group who does stunts like listed in the article) would be involved. They have been a large presence at many downtown events.

"I don't go to downtown Raleigh except for jury duty"- that would give ANYONE a negative view of downtown for sure! LOL I'm still finding new restaurants and places to go all the time- just wish I had more $$ to go out more often.....but thanks to the hockey owners and players bickering...no extra $$ this year :-(

"One has to wonder - with all of the incredible talent in and around the city of Raleigh and the state of North Carolina - why are the entertainers for this event always brought in from outside of our area? What a waste."

I know plenty of folks that do Aerials, Fire dancing, and Acrobatics right here in the area. What gives you the impression that they are using people from outside the state? I know fow a fact that a large chunk of the music acts for First Night the first few years I went were from NC or local to this area.

There's enough clowns in Raleigh already! :)

One has to wonder - with all of the incredible talent in and around the city of Raleigh and the state of North Carolina - why are the entertainers for this event always brought in from outside of our area? What a waste.

I hope all that attend have a good and safe time. I don't go to downtown Raleigh except for jury duty.

As long as the weather is clear, it's always a lot of fun. Crowded but fun, beats sitting at home alone watching it unfold on TV. They do an "early drop" at 7pm for the kids- and anyone else that wants to see the Acorn drop and still have other things to do. Businesses are already gearing up for the big night.

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