Out and About

Weekend Best Bets: Balloon Fest, Animazement

Hot air balloons, Japanese anime and comedy are all coming up this Memorial Day weekend.

Posted Updated
Animazement 2014
By
Kathy Hanrahan
RALEIGH, N.C.WRAL Freedom Balloon Fest - This is going to be a lot of fun! This hot air balloon fest kicks off Friday afternoon in Zebulon at Bennett Bunn Plantation. Gates open at 3 p.m. and parking is at the Mudcats Stadium for $10. There will be a mass ascension of more than 40 balloons around 6 p.m followed by a balloon glow, which means they will be lighting the balloons up just after the sun goes down. The fun continues Saturday and Sunday with hot air balloon races each morning in Zebulon, followed by tethered rides there and at Spring Forest Road Park each afternoon. Balloon glows will happen at both locations around 8 p.m. each night. On Monday, there is going to be one final race in Zebulon and then closing ceremonies around 11 a.m. Check out our day-by-day guide to the fun.
Dave Matthews Band - The band will play two sets on Friday night at Walnut Creek Amphitheater in Raleigh. There will be electric and acoustic sets of their hits. Tickets start at $40.
Animazement - This annual convention celebrates the world of Japanese visual culture through anime, video games and more! This event is happening at the Raleigh Convention Center all weekend. Tickets are still available.
Sheryl Underwood - One of the hosts of CBS' "The Talk," Underwood will bring her stand-up act to Goodnights Comedy Club in Raleigh Friday and Saturday nights.
NC Symphony Summerfest - The North Carolina Symphony will celebrate Memorial Day weekend with an all-American program featuring an encore performance of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" and Dvorak's "New World Symphony." The show is Saturday night at Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Tickets start at $15 in advance. Lawn seating is free for children ages 12 years and younger.
An American Celebration: At the Movies - This family-friendly outdoor concert at Koka Booth Amphitheatre on Sunday will include memorial musical moments from film favorites. Tickets start at $13.
What says Memorial Day more than a family day at the ballpark? Even if you don't have tickets to the ACC Baseball Championship at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, you can enjoy the FanFest for free! The event will feature live music, face painting, food trucks and games with Wool E. Bull.

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