RALEIGH, N.C. — There are two big festivals happening this weekend in Raleigh, and in addition to the Carolina Hurricanes playoff game, they could create some traffic tangles.
The N.C. State Fairgrounds is hosting the
Got to Be N.C. Festival through Sunday. The free event draws big crowds who are looking for an early taste of October's N.C. State Fair. Across the street, thousands of Carolina Hurricanes fans will head to PNC Arena Saturday evening for the second home game of the Eastern Conference Final.
Add a couple of major nearby road closures to the mix, and it has some people worried about weekend gridlock.
Last fall, the N.C. Department of Transportation started a project that eventually will run Blue Ridge Road under Beryl Road, the railroad and Hillsborough Street. Crews closed Blue Ridge Road at the railroad tracks in October. Earlier this year, NCDOT closed Hillsborough Street at Blue Ridge Road, building a small connector road to accommodate Hillsborough Street traffic between Blue Ridge and the Interstate 440 interchange.
So far, people heading to events at the State Fairgrounds have not seen much of a traffic problem.
"Most of our visitors don't even see that construction site," said fair manager Kent Yelverton.
Drivers can avoid the closures by using Wade Avenue to Edwards Mill Road to the PNC Arena entrances. Drivers continuing to the State Fairgrounds can use Trinity Road.
With major events going on at the same time, Yelverton and Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell said their organizations always work together and with local agencies to accommodate heavy traffic.
"It comes back to teamwork, and we're all working together," Waddell said. "We're going to make it happen."
NCDOT is helping hockey traffic Saturday night by postponing resurfacing work on Wade Avenue inside the Beltline. All lanes will remain open to accommodate traffic heading between the arena and Capital Boulevard.
Waddell said Hurricanes fans should arrive early at PNC Arena and enjoy tailgating Saturday afternoon and evening before puck drops at 8 p.m.
Yelverton suggested Caniacs could start their day with food, music and rides at the Got to Be N.C. Festival, then head down Trinity Road for the game.
Yelverton says festival organizers are partnering with ReadyWake to provide text alerts about traffic, weather and other event information. You can text G2BNC to 888777 to get the free alerts.
Weekend best bets, May 19-21, 2023
Festivals
May 19-21: Got to Be NC Festival - The annual Got To Be NC Festival takes place May 19-21, 2023 at the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. There will be carnival rides, tractor parades, music and food. Admission and parking are free.
May 20: Durham Blues and Brews Festival - The Durham Blues and Brews Festival is an annual fundraising event hosted by the Exchange Club of Greater Durham. The festival offers an evening of fun with unlimited 12 oz. pours from some of North Carolina's finest breweries, plus three great blues bands on stage.
May 20-21: Artsplosure - The Raleigh Arts Festival - This annual arts festival featuring an art market with 175 visual artists from around the country. There will also be live music, art installations and a Kidsplosure zone with free arts and crafts.
May 21: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Festival - Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM) at this second annual festival featuring Asian artists, a vendor market, performances, food and more. This event is free and will be held from 1 to 8 p.m. at Durham Central Park.
May 21: Gettin' Piggy With It - Jake Wood and his team at Lawrence Barbecue have curated an all-star crew of heavy-hitting pitmasters, from coast to coast to sling and serve ‘que and beyond for a BBQ Festival to benefit the Frankie Lemmon School. It is happening from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday at Trophy Brewing's Maywood Hall & Garden. General admission tickets are $150.
On Stage
May 19: Get the Led Out - From the bombastic and epic, to the folky and mystical, Get The Led Out (GTLO) has captured the essence of the recorded music of Led Zeppelin and brought it to the concert stage. See them at DPAC.
May 20: Durham Ballet presents "Enchanted Stories" - Act 1 includes one piece from each of four full-length story ballets: “Cinderella,” “Aladdin,” “The Little Mermaid,” and “Peter Pan.” Act 2 will features pieces from traditional and contemporary theatre. Tickets start at $15.
Family Fun
Now-May 21: Letterland Days - The Wake County Public School System, along with sponsors, are proud to present Letterland Days 2023! Different Letterlanders can be found at various locations around the city of Raleigh on May 15-21. Most will be at Pullen Park.
May 19: Grand Re-Opening of Blackwood Farm Park: The park is re-opening after a refresh with a ribbon cutting ceremony in Chapel Hill. There will be environmental exhibits, a trail walk and live music.
May 20: Aristocat Kids - Get ready for a purr-fectly delightful musical experience that’s fun for the whole family! The Center Theater Company is proud to present Aristocat Kids, a musical adventure that’s sure to whisk you away to a world of feline fun and adventure.
May 20: 4th Annual Family Fun Day - Join the Haitian community for this event with a variety of Haitian cuisine for purchase from multiple Haitian food vendors. There will be a children's corner with game and activities. There will also be live music, a soccer tournament and local vendors. Each attendee gets a free raffle ticket with their admission ticket, giving you a chance to win prizes. Tickets are $10 for children ages 6 years and older. Children 5 and younger are admitted for free.
May 20: Spring Bike Ride - Join Bike Durham and the Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association for a family-friendly, fun and educational tour as we Bike the Nature Preserves. This will be a casual, in-person group ride of about 8.5 miles, mostly on bike trails.
May 20: Music at the Library - Wake County Libraries is celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month with several chances to experience music from different cultures. Enjoy
Hindustani Classical Music or music by
Nalini Ravikumar or learn how to make your own
boba tea! May 20: Teen Beverages and Brushes: Soda Still Lifes - The Durham Library will host Beverages and Brushes! This month we will be drinking soda and following a tutorial to create your own version of a nature painting.
May 20: Family Gaming and Coloring - All ages are welcome to play card games or board games at the Hope Mills Branch Library! Games and coloring sheets will be provided, but you may also bring your own.
May 21: Saturday Disney Movie Series - The Carolina Theatre will be playing one of Tara Lynn's favorite childhood movies,
The Rescuers. Tickets are $10 through the Carolina Theatre in Durham.
May 21: Farm Day at Mystic - Mystic Farm and Distillery will host this event from noon to 4 p.m. Jireh Family Farm will set up a petting booth in the lot with goats, chickens, and rabbits and explain the benefits of raising these animals as well as their agricultural and societal impact. Additionally, Mystic Farm and Distillery will have games, a bouncy house, music, and a food truck.
May 21: Wool E. Bull's Birthday - Celebrate the Greatest Mascot in the World's big day with surprise appearances by his mascot friends from around the Triangle area during this Durham Bulls game.
Now-May 29: Smithfield Family Days - Carolina Premium Outlets is hosing a carnival through the end of the month. Enjoy rides, games, and family fun on weekdays from 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. and weekends from 1:00 p.m. -11:00 p.m.
Traffic Alert: Road closures from large festivals, Canes game
Raleigh is under a traffic alert this weekend
Some major road closures could jam drivers around the Fairgrounds and PNC Arena. WRAL's Brian Shrader has the alternate routes that could save you time and hassle. Watch below:
