Is Raleigh big enough for two big events?
This year’s Raleigh Wide Open event will mark the grand opening of the city plaza on Fayetteville Street. It also coincides with the final weekend of the N.C. State Fair.
Posted — UpdatedOrganizers for both events say Raleigh is big enough for their respective parties.
“People can see the new city plaza, including towers and public art, because so much has changed over the last year,” Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker said on Monday.
In previous years, the Wide Open bash coincided with the grand opening of the Raleigh Convention Center and Fayetteville Street, which were held in July and September, respectively.
“It’s usually a big weekend for us. We like to finish strong,” said Brian Long, spokesman for the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
The last weekend of the state fair usually brings out more than 100,000 people, Long said.
“People always have a decision on what to do on the weekend. They can come out to the fair and have a good time and they can go downtown and have a good time too,” Long said.
“There’s room for two big events. The thing that will really influence it will be the weather. If it’s raining, both events will suffer. If it’s not, both events will do fine,” Meeker said.
The N.C. State Fair starts Thursday.
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